Florida weather lends itself to many outdoor activities almost all year round, including roller skating and skateboarding. While these activities offer a thrill, roller skating and skateboarding accidents can lead to serious injuries. Even with protective gear, the risk of injury comes from the speed and body exposure involved. If you’ve been hurt in a roller skate or skateboard accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your harm.
In the state of Florida, there are certain laws that individuals must follow when they are operating roller skates of skateboards.
Generally, no individual on roller skates, or riding on any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway unless it is to cross the street on a crosswalk. When that individual is crossing, such a person is granted all rights and is subject to all duties applicable to pedestrians.
Skateboarding laws are more stringent. Under Florida law, there is an assumption that the risks and inherent dangers associated with skateboarding are largely assumed by individuals partaking in such activities. When an individual is skateboarding, regardless of location, he or she is responsible for doing the following:
- Behaving within the limits of his or her ability as well as the purpose and design of the equipment used;
- Maintaining control of him or herself as well as the gear used; and
- Not engaging in any behavior that may cause or contribute to the death or injury of him or herself or another person.
If an individual does not adhere to the skateboarding requirements above, that person will be deemed negligent. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care when undertaking a particular course of conduct. Reasonable care is how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. In the context of roller skating and skateboarding, an individual who recklessly uses his or her equipment and causes injury to another would be liable for any resulting harm. Similarly, if an automobile negligently hit an individual who was roller skating or skateboarding, that driver would likely be liable for the resulting harm. It is important to note each case is highly fact-intensive, and these are just general examples.
Roller skate and skateboard accidents do not only arise through an individual’s negligence. Instead, they can also take place because of a property owner’s negligence or even a product defect in the equipment being used. To determine whether your situation fits into any of these causes of action, you would need to consult an experienced attorney who can assess the merits of your case.
At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our skilled Miami injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights after a roller skate or skateboard accident. With years of experience, we have helped many South Florida clients resolve their injury claims, and we can help you as well. Our team will meticulously scrutinize the facts of your case and come up with a legal strategy specifically suited to your situation. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. To learn more, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us today at 1-877-499-HURT (4878).
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ATV Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, July 8, 2015
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Tailgating Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, July 8, 2015