Maison Law helps people that have been injured in pedestrian accidents throughout Bakersfield. Bakersfield’s long stretches of warm weather make it easy to spend time outside, and for a lot of people, that means skateboarding—whether it’s for transportation, practice, or just clearing your head. But when a driver isn’t paying attention, a skateboarder has almost no protection. Getting hit by a car can lead to serious injuries, and in the worst cases, life-altering consequences. Our team can help you through everything. Set up a free consultation today.
Should You Talk to a Lawyer After a Skateboard Accident?
Being on a skateboard doesn’t strip you of your rights as a pedestrian. Under the law, skateboarders are generally treated as pedestrians, which means drivers still owe you a duty of care. That said, skateboard accidents often raise questions that don’t come up in typical injury cases—where you were riding, how fast traffic was moving, and whether the driver claims you “came out of nowhere.”
That’s usually when it helps to have someone on your side. When our team gets involved, we can:
- Explain your rights and legal options in plain language
- Look into what happened and figure out who may be responsible
- Push back against low settlement offers
- Handle the legal process and paperwork while you focus on getting better
Every skateboard accident is different, which is why tailored advice matters. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis—meaning there’s no upfront cost. Still, the process can feel intimidating, especially early on.
What Kinds of Information Really Help After a Skateboard Accident?
Skateboard accidents happen in a blink. One second you’re riding like normal, the next you’re on the ground—hurt, shaken, and trying to figure out how things went sideways so fast. When that happens, it’s easy for important details to get lost. But those details often end up making a big difference later. That’s why you should focus on trying to gather:
- Medical records. This is pretty simple. Any visit to the ER, urgent care, or your doctor helps connect your injuries to the accident. Imaging, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and prescriptions all show what you’ve been dealing with. A lot of injuries don’t feel serious at first, but worsen over time—and your medical records help tell that full story.
- Pictures/videos. Visuals can fill in the gaps pretty easily. If you can, take pictures and get videos of the area where the accident happened. Things like:
- Broken or uneven pavement
- Potholes, loose gravel, or debris
- Construction zones or temporary hazards
- Poor lighting or faded markings
- Your skateboard and any damage
In Bakersfield, hazards can be patched or cleared quickly. What caused your fall one day might be gone the next, which is why photos taken early can be so important.
- Statements from witnesses. These help confirm what you already know. Someone nearby may have seen exactly what happened—another pedestrian, a driver, a neighbor, or someone working nearby. Their perspective can help back up your version of events if questions come up later.
- Official reports. Reports add structure to the chaos. If police came to the scene, their report helps document the basics. In parking lots or private areas, an incident report from a business or property owner can also help establish what happened.
- Damaged gear or property. Don’t toss damaged items too quickly. A cracked helmet, torn clothes, broken headphones, or a snapped board might feel like the least of your concerns, but they show how hard the impact was and what you lost because of it.
This all sounds simple, but the reality is that these things can be difficult to get in the aftermath of a skateboarding accident. However, this information is what is going to form the backbone of your claim, so you need to do what you can to get it. That’s actually an area where our team can be extremely beneficial, helping you gather things that you yourself can’t get.
How Can I Get Damages After a Skateboarding Accident?
Being injured in a skateboarding accident might be a little different than normal, but it doesn’t change your rights—as long as it was the result of someone else’s negligence. With that, you can file an injury claim. There’s two main ways to do this:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Insurance claims are usually faster and less formal, but the insurance company controls the process. Their goal is to limit what they pay, not to fully account for what you’ve lost. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, filing a lawsuit can bring the case into civil court. While this takes more time, it often provides a clearer path to recovering losses such as:
- Medical expenses and future care
- Lost income
- Damage to personal property, including your skateboard and clothing
- Physical pain and limitations
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral or burial costs in fatal cases
- Punitive damages in cases involving reckless or intentional conduct
What you’re ultimately able to get depends on the facts of your case, but timing matters. California has a two-year deadline to file most injury claims. Miss it, and your options disappear—regardless of how strong your case might have been.
Who Pays For My Damages in a Skateboarding Accident?
Filing a claim for damages is one thing, but it’s quite another to figure out who has to pay for them in a skateboarding accident. Thankfully, it still comes down to negligence, and that usually places fault on:
- Drivers or vehicle owners
- Other pedestrians
- Government agencies responsible for road or sidewalk maintenance
- Construction companies
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
California follows comparative negligence rules, meaning fault can be shared. If you’re found partially responsible, your recovery may be reduced—but you’re not automatically barred from filing a claim. But that also makes the why very important.
What Causes Skateboard Accidents in Bakersfield?
Skateboarding can be a great way to get around Bakersfield, but road conditions and driver behavior don’t always make it safe. Many accidents happen because drivers fail to notice or respect skateboarders.
- Distracted or inattentive driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Poor visibility or lighting
- Weather conditions
- Broken pavement or poorly maintained streets
- Lack of safe riding areas
- Intersections without proper signage or signals
Often, it’s a combination of issues—not just one mistake—that leads to an injury. The first priority is always medical care. After that, getting clear guidance can help you figure out what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim if a car never hit me?
Yes. Plenty of skateboard injuries happen because of broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, construction hazards, or unsafe property conditions. If someone failed to keep an area reasonably safe, there may still be a valid claim.
What if the driver says they didn’t see me?
That’s a common response—but it’s not a free pass. Drivers are expected to stay alert and watch for others on the road. If distraction, speeding, or careless driving played a role, “I didn’t see them” doesn’t erase responsibility.
Is skateboarding illegal in certain places?
Rules can vary depending on where you are in Bakersfield, but being somewhere you “weren’t supposed to be” doesn’t automatically take away your rights. Liability comes down to what actually caused the accident, not just location.
Legal Support for Bakersfield Skateboard Accidents
A skateboard accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and a long recovery that disrupts your daily life. You don’t have to go through that alone. Our team at Maison Law understands the challenges skateboarders face and works to make the legal process clearer and more manageable.
If you were hurt while skateboarding in Bakersfield, we can walk you through your options and help you decide your next steps—starting with a free consultation.
