Skateboarding Head Injuries Prompt a Bill That Will Change Florida Helmet Laws
Florida Congressman Richard Stark of District 104 has proposed a new bill that would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to ride a skateboard or a scooter without a helmet. While teenagers across the state bemoan the proposed law, it is something that should have been enacted a long time ago. According to Skatepark.org, there were 26 skateboarding fatalities in 2015 alone. That number does not include the number of head injuries sustained from the sport. While the law is meant to reduce that number, it fails in one aspect: the age limit. According to the same source, the average age of those killed in a skateboarding accident was 20.
Whether or not the bill passes, the Miami personal injury lawyers at The Pendas Law Firm encourage all skateboarders to wear a helmet. Even if you have never been injured before, the risks are aplenty.
Risks Associated With Skateboarding
The most common risks associated with skateboarding include:
- Head Injuries: According to a study published in the “Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,” skateboarders suffered head injuries at a rate of nearly 20 percent more than inline skaters, and more than 30 percent more than that of roller skaters. Skateboarders also suffered the longest hospital stays. Helmets can easily prevent these types of injuries, which is why parents should encourage their children to wear protective head gear at a young age.
- Collisions: Many skateboarders are “extreme” in how they choose to ride, and take their boards down steep mountains or onto busy roads and highways. Occasionally, one of those extremists collides with an oncoming car. As you can imagine, the results can be devastating. For individuals who partake in extreme skateboarding, a strong, sturdy helmet and protective body gear is necessary to prevent severe head and bodily injuries.
- Weather: Weather is another risk factor that skateboarders should look out for. Weather can create risky conditions for skateboarders, and cause them to lose control of their movements and sent them into oncoming traffic or, worse yet, off of steep incline. While the best thing skateboarders can do in extreme weather is to not go out at all, a helmet can at least protect the head and brain in the event that a boarder is knocked off course by a sharp gust of wind.
- Risky Tricks: Finally, skateboarders are known for their risky tricks and extreme falls. If you are a boarder that enjoys learning new tricks, a helmet will protect you in the event that the trick is still beyond your skill level and you fall.
If your son or daughter enjoys skateboarding, warn them of these very real risks, and encourage them to wear a helmet at all times. Though a helmet may be “uncool,” a few laughs from peers is far better than a life-changing or even life-taking head injury.
Consult a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
If your son or daughter sustained a serious head injury while out skateboarding, and if you believe that another rider or vehicle operator was responsible, reach out to the personal injury lawyers at The Pendas Law Firm in Miami right away. Your son or daughter may be eligible for compensation via a personal injury claim. To consult with one of our legal representatives today, call 844-200-0000 now.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona, Bradenton, and Orlando areas.
Resources:
skatepark.org/park-development/2016/04/w-htm/
aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/skateboard_danger.pdf
