Maison Law represents victims of skateboard accidents caused by potholes in Tulare. Skateboard accidents caused by potholes are more common than you might think. According to Nationwide Children’s, roughly 176 skateboarders go to the ER daily due to potholes and uneven surfaces.
If a hazardous pothole in a bike lane, sidewalk, parking lot, or skate park has caused you to suffer serious injuries on your skateboard in Tulare, Maison Law can help you recover compensation for medical bills, missed time at work, other potential financial losses, and mental trauma. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Skateboard Accident Caused By a Pothole?
Skateboarders in Tulare have the same legal rights after being injured in an accident as someone driving a car, truck, or motorcycle. So, if your accident was caused by a hazardous pothole, then you are entitled to recover damages in the same way a car accident victim would.
Unfortunately, it can be exceptionally difficult for skateboarders to recover compensation on their own, as they are often deemed reckless and blamed for causing their own injuries. But at Maison Law, we stand up for the legal rights of injured skateboarders in Tulare. Our firm will manage your accident claim and ensure the insurance company compensates you for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Intentionally reckless behavior
- Actions performed out of spite
What Info is Needed During a Law Firm’s Intake Process?
The intake process usually starts off with a questionnaire to assess the merits of the case. This questionnaire will provide the law firm with key information to help determine if a case is worth pursuing or not. However, if you’d like to speak directly to an attorney, you can usually setup a brief meeting to discuss the details of your situation prior to answering a questionnaire. The following data is what potential clients will need to begin the intake process with a law firm:
- Employment details: current or former employer, job title, dates of employment, and compensation information.
- Nature of the complaint: type of carelessness that led to your injury (premise liability, car accident, defective equipment)
- Timeline of events: dates of key incidents, formal complaints filed, relevant communications with employer
- Witnesses: names and contact information of potential witnesses to the alleged misconduct
- Documentation: list of relevant documents (x-rays, MRIs, doctor’s diagnosis, physical therapy appointments, workers’ compensation forms)
- Prior legal action: if you’ve filed previous personal injury claims, then the details of your previous case may be relevant to your new case
- Medical information: details about your medical diagnosis and treatment plan
- Social media presence: your injury may be documented online, as well as you discussing the details of your personal injury
What Should I Do After a Pothole Skateboarding Injury?
If you are injured due to a hazardous condition like a pothole while skateboarding, seek medical attention immediately. Nothing is more important than your health. After you get medical care, it is recommended to:
- Report the injury to the police or property owner (if applicable). Premises liabilities require a prompt investigation, especially if they occur on property owned by a corporation. Reporting the injury will also help your case if you decide to file a premises liability claim against the property owner.
- Take your own photos of the scene and get witness statements. Hazardous conditions can be removed or remedied very quickly to prevent more accidents, so it is important for you to capture the dangerous environment while it is still there.
- Follow up on your injuries with a doctor. Any injuries you’ve sustained from your accident will become a part of your case, and you will need a doctor to corroborate your injuries.
- Contact Maison Law to protect your rights to compensation. Most accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by the incident and fail to realize the enormous impact a serious injury can have on their lives. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and get you the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Who is Liable for Injuries Caused by a Pothole?
Determining liability for injuries caused by a pothole can be difficult, but ultimately, the party responsible will be discovered through the details of the accident. For example, a road or sidewalk could be maintained by the following parties:
- Government entity: city or state agencies in California are typically responsible for the maintenance of the roadways, so if a pothole is left unattended, the government could be held liable.
- Construction companies: if a construction zone is poorly marked or maintained, resulting in a hazardous pothole, they can be held responsible for their careless actions.
- Private property owners: if a road hazard is on private property, such as a parking lot or driveway, the owner may be at fault if they fail to maintain the area.
Potholes left in the road are considered a premises liability because someone has allowed public or private property to be unsafe. So, once it is determined who is at fault, they can be served with a premises liability lawsuit. If you believe that a premises liability caused your pothole accident, then please don’t hesitate to contact Maison Law for a free consultation.
How Road Hazards Cause Skateboard Accidents
Hazards can form over time, or all of a sudden, but their usual cause is due to someone neglecting to repair them or make sure they won’t cause harm to another person. For skateboarders, hazardous conditions can make it difficult to stay upright and avoid falling or colliding with other riders or passing vehicles. A hazard like a pothole will force skateboarders to:
- Lose traction: The uneven terrain or sudden drop of a pothole can reduce wheel traction. Without traction, a skateboarder is unable maneuver safely or control where they are going, increasing the risk of a serious accident.
- Balance disruption: Sudden road surface changes like potholes can significantly impact a skateboarder’s balance and safety. Most skateboarders are balancing at all times, so the slightest disruption can easily lead to them losing control and getting injured.
- Sudden stopping: If a skateboarder notices a pothole at the last minute, they may be forced to make a sudden stop. Even if they avoid a pothole, a sudden stop could send them over their handlebars and into the road.
How To Report a Pothole in Tulare
Potholes are a constant issue in Tulare County, with construction crews having filled tens of thousands over the years. Potholes cause so much damage to pedestrians, scooter riders, bicyclists, and vehicles that the city of Tulare has provided citizens with a way to report potholes in the hopes of repairing them before anyone gets injured. To report a pothole or road hazard in Tulare, you should:
- Submit a request at https://www.tulare.ca.gov/government/submit-your-citizen-request and provide details like the pothole location, description of the issue, and photos.
- Contact Public Street Works directly at (559) 684-4290
How Maison Law Will Help You Win a Fair Settlement
At Maison Law, we aggressively pursue a fair settlement on your behalf. We understand that a personal injury claim is your one chance to recover compensation for your current and future damages. So, we exercise every legal avenue to get you the financial compensation you need. We accomplish this through:
- Accurate damage calculation: we calculate damages based on expert testimony, medical evaluations, and economic analyses to cover every aspect of your current and long-term, medical needs.
- Clear reports and expert witness testimony: our firm compiles detailed reports that outline the extent of your injuries and the impact they will have on the rest of your life. We organize expert witness testimony to reinforce the credibility of your claim and the incident.
- Minimizing liability: if you file a claim or lawsuit against an at-fault party, they will most likely attempt to put some or all of the blame onto you. Our firm will analyze your case and work to minimize or eliminate liability in your personal injury accident.
- Negotiating with insurers: our experienced team of lawyers are expert negotiators and understand the tacts insurance companies will take to attempt to minimize your damages and compensation. We ensure our clients receive a fair settlement that fully covers their current and future needs.
- Court Representation: our trial lawyers will represent you in court and build a strong case, highlighting the depth of your injuries and the necessity for recovering damages.
What Factors Could Decrease My Skateboard Accident Settlement?
Understanding the factors that can potentially harm your case is essential to knowing the value of your lawsuit. While a Skateboard Accident Attorney at Maison Law will be able to highlight the reasons you deserve to be compensated, we will also work aggressively to protect you from the factors that could reduce your compensation. These factors include:
- Comparative negligence: if you are found partially at fault, your settlement can be reduced by your percentage of liability.
- Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to the accident could complicate and potentially decrease the settlement.
- Lack of strong evidence: The inability to prove the liable party’s fault or carelessness in the accident can undermine your case and reduce your settlement.
- Delayed medical treatment: Delays in seeking medical treatment after the accident may count against you as it implies your injuries were not that severe.
- Inconsistent statements: Inconsistencies in your statement or re-telling of the incident can hurt your credibility and diminish settlement prospects.
Contact Maison Law | Tulare Skateboard Accident Lawyers
If you’re looking for a law firm to manage your skateboard injury claim and get you fair compensation, we can help. Our firm understands the enormous medical costs associated with skateboard accidents and will aggressively pursue a settlement to match the full extent of your damages to ensure you are made whole.
Even a minor accident can have a major impact on your health and finances over time, so don’t hesitate to get the legal representation you need to get your life back on track. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation case review.