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Rollerblading continues to be a popular recreational and commuting method in and around San Francisco. It’s also a viable transportation alternative for getting around town, but like anything else involving humans and a set of wheels, there’s always a risk of being injured in an accident.

Common Causes of San Francisco Rollerblading Accidents

When you’re on rollerblades, you must obey all applicable traffic laws. Anybody under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. Protective gear for wrists, elbows, and knees is strongly recommended. Even with a helmet and protective gear, in the event of an accident, a person on rollerblades remains vulnerable and exposed to injuries. People who are rollerblading present smaller and narrower profiles than cars on a roadway. Most rollerblading accidents are caused by the drivers of motor vehicles. Some drivers either don’t see people on rollerblades at all, or they don’t see them until it’s too late.

Here are some of the common causes of rollerblading accidents:

  • Failure to yield the right-of-way to a person who is rollerblading.
  • Failure of motorists to come to a complete stop at stop signs or red lights.
  • Accidents that occur when a motorist is turning left or right.
  • Dangerously defective skates or component parts.
  • Distracted driving accidents.
  • Accidents involving the consumption of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.

Other Causes of Rollerblading Accidents

Drivers of motor vehicles aren’t the only cause of rollerblading accidents. Holes, uneven pavement surfaces, loose sewer drain covers, sand, dirt or other dangerous condition on or adjacent to a roadway can cause a person who is rollerblading to be seriously injured in an accident.

Rollerblading Injuries Can Be Severe

Because of their vulnerability, rollerblading accident victims can suffer severe and permanent injuries, even when the vehicle that hits them is traveling at a relatively low speed. Emergency room personnel will often see the following common injuries:

  • Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
  • Facial fractures including the nose and jaw.
  • Traumatic dental injuries.
  • Damage to vital organs.
  • Hip and leg fractures with ankle and knee damage.
  • Wrist and arm fractures with shoulder damage.
  • Road rash with infection.

For purposes of reaching maximum medical improvement, one or more surgeries plus lengthy rehabilitation might be necessary after a rollerblading accident. The costs of a hospitalization surgery and rehab will be staggering, and you’re likely to have permanent injuries. You’ll be in need of quality, experienced and aggressive legal representation for purposes of obtaining the compensation that you deserve.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

California law permits those people to use those streets so long as they comply with applicable laws. When an accident occurs between a motorist and a person on rollerblades, you’ll want an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect you and fight for your rights from the start of your personal injury claim or lawsuit.

We’ve dedicated our practice to representing victims of accidents who were using alternative forms of transportation when they were injured. Those people have rights on or near the roadway too, and they deserve to be compensated for their injuries and damages after being injured as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else.

If you’ve been injured while rollerblading, by a negligent driver or a dangerous road condition in or around the Bay Area, contact our offices at (415) 466-8717 to arrange for a free consultation and case review. Our objective is to get you pointed in the right direction and get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.