Longboarding Behind a Vehicle Can Lead To Fatal Accidents
The California community has long been familiar with longboarding. Oceanside especially sees large numbers of skateboards, longboards, and other recreational means of transportation on a daily basis. The longboarding culture is a mix of adrenaline and “chill,” the boards can be used for a relaxing cruise down a beachside sidewalk or a terrifying race down steeper urban terrain. Their build enables riders to reach higher speeds than standard skateboards, and in some cases, boards have even reached over 80 mph. One adrenaline-laced niche in the longboarding scene is called skitching, or being towed behind vehicles on the road. Unfortunately for many longboarders, a lack of safety precaution combined with driver or rider error has resulted in far too many fatal accidents and life-changing injuries.
When incidents like these take place, it is important to get sound advice from a lawyer familiar with these types of accidents. San Diego personal injury attorneys from The McClellan Law Firm are qualified to guide you through filing a claim for longboard-related crashes, so don't hesitate to turn to our firm for counsel.
Common Longboarding Injuries
The higher speeds and open roads connected with extreme longboarding create a much more dangerous environment for the rider than a typical sidewalk. A study conducted by a trauma center in Utah found that over a period of four years, 56% of skateboarding injuries were incurred while using a longboard specifically. Over a third of these longboarding injuries included traumatic brain injury.
Some of the most common longboarding injuries include the following:
- Severe Head Fractures
- Neck Sprains
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Intra-Cranial Hemorrhage
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Road Rash
- Broken Limbs
Other studies have shown that longboarders exhibit a different pattern of injury than skateboarders. While skateboarders most often endure injuries to their lower extremities, longboarders more commonly suffer from head and neck injury—which can often be much more severe.
Longboarding Safety Measures
Though not all head injuries or chance of paralysis can be prevented by “safe” longboarding practices, there are many safety measures that can significantly decrease your risk of a life-changing injury while longboarding. Perhaps the most often ignored, yet most helpful safety measure is a helmet. In a majority of longboarding accidents, the rider neglected to wear a helmet and suffered serious consequences.
Other safety measures to consider when longboarding:
- Improve your skills in a safe location
- Learn with the help of a friend or parent
- Take your time learning new tricks
- Wear long sleeves and pants
- Don’t be too cool for protective body gear
- Never tow behind a vehicle
- Avoid longboarding on wet surfaces
- Never longboard at night
- Do not use headphones while longboarding
- Avoid roads heavily populated with vehicles
Following these measures can help ensure a safer ride for longboarders (and skateboarders) throughout Oceanside, San Diego, and surrounding Southern California communities.
What To Do If You’re Part of a Longboarding Accident
Many times, longboarding accidents involve a vehicle. Whether the rider was unable to stop before running into a car or was hit on a sidewalk by a drunk driver, the aftermath can be severe and complicated for both parties. If you’ve been injured in a longboarding accident, contact our injury attorneys at The McClellan Law Firm. They can walk you through your options and help you pursue compensation for your damages.