Hoverboard Related Injuries Filling Emergency Rooms
Serious injuries resulting from hoverboard use is on the rise! Hoverboard popularity is surging, and so too are injuries! Infamous for their propensity to catch fire, hoverboards continue to be a hot news topic. For children and adults of all ages, this is the gift that seems to be our generation’s equivalent to the Red Ryder BB Gun. Instead of ‘You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out’ we have ‘You’ll Fall and Break Your _____!’
For those who are unfamiliar, a hoverboard is a board-like apparatus with two wheels and functions based on the rider’s movement. Riders control direction and speed by leaning/shifting their weight. The motion is similar to that of skiing, but still very foreign from anything we have had mass-access to in the past!
Types of Injuries from Hoverboards
A quick search on social media for the hashtag #Hoverboardfail produces a long list of pictures and videos of falls and other related injuries.
Potential Hoverboard Injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Fall and impact trauma
- Bruises, scratches, cuts
If you or a loved one loses consciousness, experiences a prolonged headache, or has numbness or tingling following a hoverboard accident, get medical attention immediately.
Keeping Hoverboards Safe and Fun
Here are a few key tips for keeping you or your child injury-free. Just like a bicycle, safety precautions can go a long way to prevent serious and life threatening injuries!
Think of a hoverboard as a bike – Every rider should wear a helmet and protective pads
Practice! Similar to how you would ride a bike for the first time consider having someone near to assist you with balancing and getting a general feel for the way a hoverboard works.
Supervision / Buddy System – Kids should not be allowed to use a hoverboard without adult supervision. All riders should use the buddy system!
Start Slow While experienced riders may make it look easy – Make no mistake, the first few rides on a hoverboard are tough! Start slow!
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities.” You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.