Verdict in Santa Cruz Skateboarding Accident Lawsuit Highlights California Comparative Negligence

When someone is injured in a California car accident  and that injured person files a lawsuit, there are many legal standards that can or even must be used in reference to the facts of the situation.  While some may think that California personal injury lawsuits are largely cut-and-dried affairs, the fact of the matter is that many of these controversies involve facts that place partial blame on both parties.  A recent case involving a Santa Cruz skateboarding accident  provides a relevant example.

According to public records, this Santa Cruz skateboarding accident lawsuit  stems from a crash that occurred in December of 2007 when Shawn Erwood collided with a vehicle being driven by James Hatch.  The crash occurred at the intersection of Soquel Avenue and Capitola Road.  Erwood suffered multiple injuries, and the court awarded him $600,000 in damages.  However, the court also found Erwood to be 37 percent at fault for the crash because he was riding his skateboard too fast.  Therefore, his damages award was reduced to $387,000.

California Car Accident Statistics

First, we hope that the completion of this longstanding legal matter will allow each party to achieve some closure so that they can move on with their lives.  In addition, this Santa Cruz skateboarding accident has since become part of the overall statistics regarding California car accidents .  Every year, 175,000 people are injured and another 3,000 people are killed in these occurrences. 

California Personal Injury Lawyers

This California personal injury lawsuit  provides a solid example of how the laws regarding negligence and personal injury work when a case is filed.  The plaintiff was awarded damages for the multiple injuries he suffered, but his percentage of fault for the crash at issue was taken into account before a final award was provided.  These types of lawsuits can arise in the aftermath of almost any crash.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an accident, you need to seek the help of California personal injury lawyers who have been holding those responsible for these types of injuries accountable for many years.  Contact the Scarlett Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.