Skateboarder is Seriously Injured in Crosswalk Accident in Virginia Beach

A recent serious accident in Virginia Beach involving a 15 year-old-boy on a skateboard, has highlighted the dangers that skateboarders face and the need to take precautions.

Police say the teen was seriously injured Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle. Tonya Borman, a spokeswoman with the Virginia Beach Police Department, said a 1993 Nissan Sentra was traveling north on Lynnhaven Parkway near Round Hill Drive at 6:58 a.m. Police say the driver had a green light when the teen entered the crosswalk “against the pedestrian signal controls and was struck by the Nissan,” Borman said.

WAVY.com reported police say neither alcohol nor speed were factors in this crash. The driver will not be facing any charges. My thoughts are with the skateboarder and his family. Drivers have a responsibility to look out for pedestrians and other parties on a crosswalk.

WAVY spoke to neighbors who are concerned about safety at the intersection where the accident occurred.

One of them, Sophia Ruffin, has seen many fender-benders at the intersection, and some more serious accidents: “Since 1998, probably really bad accidents, probably about six or seven,” she told WAVY.

Ruffin told the TV station she was rear-ended once by someone who was texting on a cellphone. She is worried about the safety of kids who will soon be returning to school.

As in the case of cyclists, it’s important to take precautions if you are on a skateboard. If you are skateboarding you should.

• Always wear a helmet and other safety gear;
• Make sure to only cross a road on a crosswalk when the walk sign is flashing;
• Use skateboard parks and off road trails wherever possible;
• Always be aware of other road users and pedestrians and look out for them;
• Communicate with other skaters at skateboard parks to avoid collisions.

If you have been injured in an accident as a pedestrian, cyclist, skateboarder or other driver due to the fault of another driver, call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 or see CooperHurley.com. When It Really Counts, Count on Cooper Hurley.