In May 2018, a skateboarder was struck and killed by a car and spent a week in a coma. The driver of the motor vehicle was later determined to not be at fault for the accident, which occurred while the skateboarder was traveling along a street in Kennewick. This is just one of the many accidents involving skateboards and motor vehicles that have occurred in the Spokane area within the last few years.

Statistics reveal that in 2015 there were over 100,00 individuals treated at emergency rooms due to skateboard accidents. More than half of these accident victims were between the ages of 14 and 24 while another third were between the ages of 5 and 14. To protect against serious injuries caused by these accidents, it is a wise idea to make sure that children wear proper safety gear.

Common Ways Skateboarders Collide with Cars

Skateboarders tend to ride their boards everywhere, but there are several skateboarding patterns that are particularly likely to result in accidents. Bombing occurs when skateboarders ride down hills, which in many cases can lead to collisions with cars, resulting in life-changing injuries and even fatalities. Another particularly dangerous activity is skitching, which involves skateboarders hanging onto moving vehicles while riding on skateboards and frequently results in skateboarders colliding with motor vehicles.

Safety Guidelines for Skateboards

The National Safety Council has offered some important guidelines that skateboarders can follow to stay safe and greatly reduce the risk of accidents, which include the following:

• Avoid riding in the street because this greatly increases the risk that an accident involving a motor vehicle will occur.
• Obey local laws regarding where you are permitted to skate.
• Follow the rule of one person per skateboard. Sharing a board with another person often leads to accidents.
• Make sure to inspect your skateboard before each use.
• Use the proper skateboard for the activity in which you are engaging, including freestyle, slalom, or speed skateboards.
• Wear the proper safety gear, including closed and slip-resistant shoes, helmets, and pads.
• Learn how to fall property, which includes crouching down if you know that you are going to fall, trying to land on the fleshy parts of your body, trying to roll if you fall rather than absorb the shock of the impact with your arms, trying to relax your body rather than going stiff, and practicing falling on soft surfaces. Skateboarders who do not know how to fall properly are often more seriously injured in accidents.
• Wear reflective colors to make sure that you remain visible at night.

Speak with a Skilled Accident Lawyer Today

If you are impacted by an accident and another party is responsible, you are often able to obtain compensation from the responsible party. Contact a seasoned attorney at our law office today to increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Speak with West Law Office today to schedule an initial free consultation.

(image courtesy of Alexander Londono)