Call us 24/7You’re cruising down Bayshore Boulevard on your electric skateboard when a car door swings open without warning. One second you’re enjoying the ride, the next you’re on the pavement with a broken wrist and a totaled board. Who pays? The driver? Your insurance? The skateboard company? Most people have no clue—and that confusion can cost them thousands.
Electric skateboards are everywhere in Tampa these days. They’re fast, fun, and a great way to beat traffic. But when accidents happen, figuring out who’s responsible gets complicated fast. Let’s break down what you need to know about e-skateboard accidents in Tampa and how to protect your rights.
What Makes Electric Skateboards Different from Regular Skateboards?
Electric skateboards can hit speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour. That’s way faster than a regular skateboard. At those speeds, accidents cause serious injuries. We’re talking broken bones, road rash, head trauma, and worse.
Florida law treats electric skateboards differently than bikes or scooters. Understanding these differences matters when you’re trying to figure out who owes you money after a crash.
Where Can You Legally Ride an Electric Skateboard in Tampa Bay?
Florida law says electric skateboards belong on sidewalks and bike paths—not on the road with cars. But here’s the catch: many Tampa sidewalks are crowded with pedestrians, especially downtown and along Bayshore. Riders often end up in the street anyway, which creates dangerous situations.
Key Florida rules for e-skateboard riders:
- Must stay on sidewalks or bike paths when available
- Cannot exceed 20 mph in most areas
- Must yield to pedestrians
- Cannot ride on roads with speed limits over 25 mph (with some exceptions)
Breaking these rules doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get compensation if you’re hurt. But it can affect your case.
Who’s Liable When an E-Skateboard Accident Happens?
This is where things get tricky. Liability depends on what caused the accident.
The Driver Hit You
If a car hits you while you’re riding legally, the driver is usually at fault. Maybe they didn’t check their blind spot. Maybe they opened their door without looking. Maybe they turned right without seeing you. Their insurance should cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
You Hit a Pedestrian
If you crash into someone walking, you’re probably liable for their injuries. This is why having insurance matters—but most riders don’t realize they need it.
A Defective Skateboard Caused the Crash
Sometimes the board itself is the problem. Faulty batteries, sudden acceleration, brake failure—these defects cause serious accidents. When this happens, the manufacturer might be responsible.
Road Hazards or Poor Maintenance
Tampa’s roads aren’t perfect. Potholes, uneven pavement, and missing warning signs cause wrecks. If poor road maintenance caused your crash, the city or county might be liable. But suing a government entity in Florida has special rules and tight deadlines.
Does Insurance Cover Electric Skateboard Accidents?
Here’s the bad news: most insurance policies don’t automatically cover e-skateboard accidents.
Your car insurance probably won’t help. Most auto policies exclude motorized personal devices like electric skateboards.
Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance might cover some things. If you hurt someone else while riding, your liability coverage could help. But it won’t cover your own injuries.
Health insurance covers medical bills. Your health insurance should pay for treatment, but you’ll still need to cover deductibles and copays.
The other person’s insurance might pay. If a driver caused the accident, their auto insurance may compensate you for everything from medical bills to pain and suffering.
Common Injuries from E-Skateboard Accidents in Tampa Bay
Electric skateboard crashes cause serious harm. The most common injuries we see include:
- Broken bones (wrists, arms, collarbones)
- Head injuries and concussions
- Road rash and skin damage
- Shoulder and elbow injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Facial injuries and dental damage
These injuries cost money. Hospital visits, surgery, physical therapy, time off work—it all adds up fast. You deserve compensation for every penny.
What to Do Right After an E-Skateboard Accident
The steps you take immediately after a crash can make or break your case.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Always get medical help, even if you think you’re okay. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
Report the accident to police. Get an official accident report. This document becomes crucial evidence later.
Take photos of everything. Snap pictures of your injuries, your damaged skateboard, the accident scene, and any vehicles involved.
Get witness information. If anyone saw what happened, get their names and phone numbers.
Don’t apologize or admit fault. Even if you think you might have done something wrong, keep quiet, you’re not an accident reconstruction expert. Let the facts speak for themselves.
See a doctor within 24 hours. Even if the ER cleared you, follow up with your regular doctor. This creates a paper trail showing you took your injuries seriously.
Don’t talk to insurance adjusters alone. They’ll try to get you to say things that hurt your case. Get legal help first.
Florida’s Two-Year Deadline for E-Skateboard Injury Claims
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to compensation—no matter how strong your case is.
Two years sounds like plenty of time, but it’s not. Building a strong case takes months. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Injuries evolve. The sooner you start, the better your chances of getting every dollar you deserve.
How Much Is Your E-Skateboard Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, but compensation typically covers:
Economic damages:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage (your skateboard, phone, etc.)
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
Non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
The more serious your injuries, the more your case is worth. Insurance companies will try to lowball you. Don’t settle for less than you need to fully recover.
Why E-Skateboard Cases Need Legal Help
These cases are complicated. Insurance companies don’t want to pay. They’ll argue you were breaking the rules. They’ll say you’re partially at fault. They’ll claim your injuries aren’t as bad as you say.
We know their playbook. We’ve gone up against insurance companies for decades, and we know exactly how to beat them. We investigate every angle, call in the right experts early, and build cases that insurance companies can’t ignore.
And here’s the best part: it costs you nothing to find out if you have a case. We offer free consultations because we believe everyone deserves to know their options.
Don’t Wait to Protect Your Rights
Electric skateboard accidents turn lives upside down in seconds. Medical bills pile up. Work gets missed. Pain becomes your daily reality. You need someone in your corner who fights as hard for your recovery as you do.
If you’ve been hurt in an electric skateboard accident in Tampa Bay or anywhere in Florida, us Now Chris Ligori & Associates at 813-223-2929. We’ll review your case for free, explain your options, and help you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t let insurance companies push you around. Check with Chris.
Legal Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and the information provided here is general in nature. For advice about your specific situation, please contact an attorney who can evaluate the unique facts of your case.
