The short answer to this question is, yes, skateboarders must follow traffic signs in California. However, skateboarding law differs from city to city in California. California state law permits local governments to adopt their own skateboarding laws. But there are specific laws that apply to the entire state of California that will be addressed in this article.
California Skateboard Law
In the state of California, all bicyclists, scooter riders, and skateboarders have the legal right to use the road. But even with the general right to skateboard on the road, there are provisions skateboarders must follow, according to state law:
- Skateboarders under the age of 18 are required by law to wear helmets at all times
- Must stop at stop signs and red lights
- Must yield to all vehicles at yield signs
- Skateboarders are required to yield to both marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Must not impede traffic or interfere with the flow of traffic
- Cannot be towed by a motor vehicle or bicycle at an unsafe speed
- Skateboarders must yield to bicyclists in the bike lane
- Skateboarders cannot leave a curb or any roadside place of safety and travel in the path of a vehicle
Examples of Skateboard City Law
A great example of a city where skateboard laws are pertinent to the safety of skateboarders is Los Angeles. The concrete jungle that is LA makes it the perfect spot for street skating. Street skating was sparked as an extension of surf culture in the 1990s but morphed into something completely unique to Los Angeles. For that reason, the city of LA had to maintain the safety of skateboarders and citizens alike by forming their own skateboard laws.
Los Angeles Municipal Code specifies the legal use of skateboards in Los Angeles in Section 51.15.1 and when skateboarding is prohibited in Section 51.15.2. While skateboarders have as much right to the road and sidewalks as bikers and pedestrians in Los Angeles, there are specific rules skateboarders should be aware of, such as:
- Skateboards are prohibited in specified locations: at any time The City Council can specify certain roadways, sidewalks, public parking lots, and other public property where skateboarding is not allowed.
- Skateboarders must ride in an upright position: skateboards are only allowed to be ridden in an upright, standing position. Pushing, propelling, or sitting while riding on a skateboard is prohibited.
- Skateboarders must follow traffic controls: persons riding on skateboards on public roadways must obey speed limits, stop signs, signal lights, and all other traffic controls that govern right-of-way in accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code 15.1.
- Yield to traffic in the same direction: skateboarders on public roadways or sidewalks must yield to vehicles near them by moving to the right curb or shoulder of the roadway.
- Uncontrolled intersections: skateboarders on public roadways or public sidewalks must yield to vehicles and shall not cross the intersection at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour.
- Speeding: reckless speed on a skateboard is not permitted in Los Angeles as it presents a hazard to skateboarders, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
- Attaching to another vehicle: what’s known as “skitching,” skateboarders are not allowed to attach their board or themselves to any motor vehicle on the roadway. In addition, a motorist may not knowingly tow a skateboarder.
How Comparative Negligence Applies to Skateboarding Accidents
Comparative negligence is when more than one party is partially at fault for causing an injury and is covered under California Civil Code 1714. This law essentially states:
- You can recover damages in cases even if you are partially at fault
- If you and the defendant are found negligent, the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party
- The total compensation awarded to you is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are 99% at fault, you can still receive 1% of the total case value
In the case of a skateboarding accident, ultimately, fault will be determined by the details of the case and the judgment of a judge and jury if the matter goes to trial. So, if a skateboarder was injured on the road, but they were violating a traffic sign in the process, then the compensation could be reduced by their percentage of fault. For this reason, it is important to consult with a Skateboard Injury Lawyer to protect your right to compensation after an injury.
How a Lawyer Protects the Rights of Injured Skateboarders
If your skateboarding accident has caused you serious injuries, resulting in missed time at work, treatment from a doctor, or prevented you from reasonably completing daily tasks, an attorney can advocate on your behalf and:
- Connect you to trusted doctors for continued treatment
- File a lawsuit to get you compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Assign liability to all parties responsible for your injuries
- Communicate with insurance adjusters, so you can focus on recovering
- Build your case by gathering concrete evidence to confirm your claim
- Eliminate or reduce liability if you are blamed for the accident
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
Contact a California Skateboard Injury Attorney
On the road, skateboarders are offered practically no protection from the carelessness of other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. This makes them far more likely to be seriously injured in an accident, or in worse cases, killed. That’s why having an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer on your side is vital after a skateboard accident.
At Maison Law, we will aggressively pursue liable parties to recover the maximum amount of damages you’re owed after your accident, even if you’re partially at fault. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, confidential consultation to see what legal options are available for your situation.
