Has someone you love suffered skateboarding injuries in an Irvine crosswalk or anywhere in Southern California due to being hit by a car or motor vehicle? Recently, a friend asked me about the legality of riding skateboards through a crosswalk in Irvine – “If a kid is riding his skateboard in the crosswalk instead of walking across and he is injured, is the driver still liable?” The short answer is Yes. The skateboarder is protected as a pedestrian, and California law will give the benefit of the doubt to almost any pedestrian or skateboarder who is injured in an accident with a car or motor vehicle.
Skateboarding injuries in an Irvine crosswalk and those who are struck by a car usually suffer severe injuries including broken bones and fractures, head trauma and traumatic brain injury. In some cases the driver who caused the accident leaves the scene, and may never be apprehended by law enforcement. Who who is financially liable if your child is hit by a car or injured in a hit and run? These cases can be quite legally complex, but I have handled a large number of them over my more than 40 years of experience here in Irvine and Orange County. Hit and run injuries (where the driver cannot be identified) are covered by your own UM/UIM auto insurance coverage.
Unfortunately, some skateboard accidents become fatal. This is legally known as a wrongful death in California. My name is Rivers Morrell and I have taken many of these cases to a successful trial verdict. Skateboarders have protections under California law and I will hold those responsible for injuries or loss of life financially accountable.
In one specific case, we had to do an accident reconstruction of a injured skateboarder in a crosswalk, to show that our client was injured due to the fault of the automobile driver. That case was a tremendous victory for our client, and I often think of that family when I see kids on skateboards in and around our neighborhoods.
If someone you love has suffered skateboarding injuries in an Irvine crosswalk or anywhere in Southern California due to another person’s negligence we invite you to review the strong recommendations of former clients and the legal industry and contact us or call to speak with me personally for a free consultation at 949-305-1400. There is no cost to you out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.
