Maison Law can help you through the claims process if you’ve been injured in a skateboard accident in Merced. Like a lot of other outdoor activities, skateboarding is part of everyday life around Merced. But just like those other activities, a skateboarding accident can leave you facing a lot of questions. We can help you answer them. Set up a free consultation today.
How Our Lawyers Can Help After Skateboarding Accidents in Merced
If you’re like most skateboarders in Merced, the last thing you expect to happen when you’re out and about is being in an accident. One minute you’re riding like you always do, and the next you’re trying to figure out what happened. That’s when you need help, and that’s where our team of Merced personal injury lawyers can help you with:
- Figuring out what caused the accident and who may be responsible.
- Getting evidence before it disappears.
- Explaining your options and what the process usually looks like.
- Handling the insurance company so you can focus on getting better.
- Filing a lawsuit if that’s what it takes.
Talking with a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re signing up for a long court battle. Sometimes it’s simply about getting answers early, before important evidence disappears.
What Information Can Help After a Skateboard Accident in Merced?
No matter how experienced you are on your board, there’s a lot that can go wrong during a ride. And most of the time, it’s not about anything you did, but something that someone didn’t do. That’s how most skateboarding accidents happen.
When it does, the first thing you need to do is call 911 and get medical help. From there, it’s a good chance to try to get a few things that can help you later, like:
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, your skateboard, and anything that may have caused the fall, like broken pavement or debris.
- Names and phone numbers of anyone with you or anyone who saw what happened.
- If a driver, bike rider, or another person was involved in the accident, get their contact and insurance information.
Look around before you leave. If poor lighting, missing signs, or damaged pavement played a role, try to snap a few pictures of it before anything changes. That’s about as much as you can do at the scene. But more important information will start rolling in later, like:
- Your medical records help connect your injuries to the accident.
- A copy of the police report or accident report if it happened on someone else’s property.
- Your damaged gear. Don’t get it repaired until you get it documented to show what it still looks like.
- Progress pictures of your injuries as they heal.
This probably seems like a lot of information, and it is. But it usually serves as the foundation and starting point for a claim. The more information you have, the stronger position you’re usually in. But the details also matter.
Where Do Skateboard Accidents Happen Around Merced?
Skateboard accidents can happen almost anywhere, but certain areas around Merced tend to see them more often.
- Downtown Merced has busy intersections, older sidewalks, and plenty of vehicle traffic, creating situations where drivers and skateboarders don’t always see each other in time.
- Areas around UC Merced see students walking, biking, skating, and driving through the same streets and pathways every day, making collisions more likely.
- Shopping centers around Merced Mall, Olive Avenue, and G Street bring constant traffic, parking lot congestion, and drivers focused on finding parking instead of watching for skateboarders.
- Neighborhood streets throughout older parts of Merced can have cracked sidewalks, uneven pavement, and other hazards that don’t seem like much until a skateboard wheel catches one.
Most of the time, these accidents aren’t about you trying to get hurt. They happen because a driver wasn’t paying attention, a property wasn’t kept up, or a hazard was left alone for too long before it got fixed. That gives you a clue into something important: responsibility.
Who’s Usually Responsible for a Skateboard Accident?
Because skateboarding is inherently risky, a lot of people think they can’t file a claim when they’re hurt in an accident. That couldn’t be further from the truth. But it does take steps to figure out, all of which stems from showing one thing: negligence.
Like any other accident, showing that someone was being careless or reckless is what gives you the right to file a claim in the first place. In most skateboarding accidents in Merced, that can bring in:
- A driver. Drivers who fail to yield, back out without looking, or make unsafe turns can easily collide with someone on a skateboard.
- A property owner. Businesses, apartment complexes, and other private property owners are generally responsible for keeping their property reasonably safe. Broken sidewalks, potholes, or dangerous parking lots can all lead to serious falls.
- The government. If a dangerous sidewalk, street, or bike path caused your accident, the City of Merced, Merced County, or Caltrans could be responsible for maintaining that area.
- A construction company. Road work, loose gravel, uneven pavement, or unfinished repairs can create hazards that put skateboarders at risk.
- A company. If your skateboard or one of its components failed because of a defect, the company that made it could also share responsibility.
California also follows comparative negligence rules. That means more than one person can share fault for an accident, and even if you were partially responsible, you can still file a claim. However, that will impact your damages.
Damages That You Can Get in a Skateboarding Accident Claim
A skateboard accident rarely just leaves you with cuts and bruises. Your injuries are usually much more extensive because you don’t have any protection against a moving car or the ground. Then, there’s also the emotional and financial side of things. All of this comes into play as your “damages” when you file a claim.
To get them, you can either:
- File an insurance claim outside of court.
- File a personal injury lawsuit.
With your claim filed, it’s about showing what you’ve lost because of the accident. The stronger your claim, the more you can potentially get. But generally, your damages are made up of your:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Damage to your skateboard and other personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death damages in fatal accidents
In most cases, California gives you two years to file a personal injury claim. But much shorter timelines can come in if the city or county government is involved. One way or the other though, you don’t have to go through this process alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t know who caused my accident?
That’s actually pretty common. It isn’t always obvious right away whether a driver, property owner, or government agency may be responsible. Part of building a claim is figuring that out.
Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, because not wearing a helmet doesn’t automatically prevent you from filing a claim. Your rights come up from someone else’s negligence causing the accident, not what you did or didn’t do.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Most personal injury claims have a two-year deadline, but accidents involving government agencies often have much shorter time limits.
Free Consultations After a Skateboard Accident in Merced
A skateboard accident can leave you dealing with a lot more than scraped knees. Medical bills, time away from work, and questions about what happened can quickly become overwhelming.
If you’ve been injured in a skateboard accident in Merced, Maison Law can help you understand your options, answer your questions, and handle the legal side of things while you focus on getting better. Contact us today for a free consultation.
