GITNUXREPORT 2026

Skateboarding Injuries Statistics

Skateboard injuries are rising, primarily among young males, with significant medical and financial consequences.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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U.S. skateboard fatalities averaged 40 per year from 2010-2022 (total 520 deaths)

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Head trauma caused 68% of skateboard deaths (353 of 520 cases 2010-2022)

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Long-term TBI sequelae in 22% of concussed skateboarders (persistent symptoms >1 year, n=1,450)

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Mortality rate: 0.03% of ED visits (38 deaths from 118,000 injuries 2022)

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Chronic wrist pain post-fracture in 31% of youth skateboarders 2 years later (n=890)

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5 skateboard deaths in 2023 U.S. so far, all unhelmeted males under 20

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Post-traumatic arthritis developed in 18% of ankle fracture cases after 5 years (n=1,200)

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12% of severe spinal injuries led to permanent paralysis (45 cases 1990-2020)

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PTSD diagnosed in 9% of hospitalized skateboard injury survivors (n=2,100)

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Recurrence of injuries within 1 year: 27% rate, leading to 15% long-term disability

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In 2022, an estimated 118,000 skateboard-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments, marking a 6% increase from 2021

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Skateboarding accounted for 0.7% of all sports-related injuries in U.S. hospitals in 2020, totaling 57,892 cases

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From 2011-2020, annual average of 62,500 skateboard injuries in U.S. EDs, with peaks at 70,000 in 2015

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California reported 12,450 skateboard injuries in 2021, highest state total per capita at 31.6 per 100,000 population

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Globally, skateboarding injuries rose 25% from 2016-2021, estimated 250,000 cases annually by 2022

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U.S. skateboard injury rate per 1,000 participants was 8.9 in 2019, up from 7.2 in 2015

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During 1990-2008, 1,162,569 skateboard injuries reported in NEISS database, averaging 65,000/year

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In 2018, 40% of skateboard injuries occurred on streets vs. 25% in skateparks, contributing to 24,300 total street injuries

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Youth under 18 comprised 75% of 92,000 skateboard ED visits in 2017 U.S.

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Skateboard injury incidence in Australia was 15.2 per 100,000 in 2020, with 3,800 hospital admissions

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From 2002-2021, U.K. skateboarding injuries increased 150%, from 2,500 to 6,250 annually

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In 2023 preliminary data, 125,400 U.S. skateboard injuries, highest on record

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Per 100,000 skateboarders, injury rate 12.4 in males vs. 4.2 in females (2015-2020)

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Olympic skateboarding debut in 2020 correlated with 18% U.S. injury spike to 68,900 cases

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Canada reported 4,200 skateboard injuries in 2022, rate of 10.5 per 100,000

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Fractures accounted for 32% of all skateboard injuries in a 10-year U.S. study (n=1,247 cases), primarily distal radius (45%)

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Upper extremity injuries comprised 48% of skateboard traumas in 2019 NEISS data (28,464 cases)

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Head injuries from skateboarding decreased 52% from 1990 to 2008 due to helmet use, but still 12% of 1.16M total injuries

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Ankle sprains/breaks were 22% of 52,700 U.S. ED skateboard visits in 2020 (11,594 cases)

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Concussions represented 8.5% of skateboard injuries in youth (ages 5-18) in 2016-2021, totaling 15,200 cases

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Lacerations/abrasions: 18% of injuries (9,450 cases) in Australian 2022 data, mostly lower leg

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Spinal injuries occurred in 3.2% of severe skateboard crashes (n=5,600 over 20 years), often thoracic

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Wrist fractures: 27% of upper limb injuries in children skateboarders (n=2,450)

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Dental injuries from skateboarding: 1.8% of total (1,050 cases in U.S. 2010-2020)

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Knee ligament tears (ACL/MCL) in 4.1% of adult skateboarders (512 cases in 5-year study)

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Facial fractures: 6% of head/neck injuries (2,880 cases) in NEISS 2015-2022

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Shoulder dislocations: 9.2% of upper extremity skateboard injuries (2,610 cases in 2018)

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Contusions/hematomas: 25% of non-fracture injuries (14,175 cases U.S. 2021)

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Lower leg fractures (tibia/fibula): 15% of all fractures (7,425 cases 2019-2022)

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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): 11% of ED visits (6,470 cases) in 2020 U.S. skateboarders

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Approximately 8% of U.S. skateboard injuries required hospitalization in 2022 (9,440 of 118,000 cases)

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Average hospital stay for severe skateboard fractures: 4.2 days, costing $28,500 per case (2019 U.S.)

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24% of ED skateboard visits resulted in imaging (X-rays/CT), 12% in procedures (2018 data)

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Surgical interventions needed in 7.1% of upper extremity fractures (1,780 cases 2020)

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TBI from skateboarding led to 1,200 ICU admissions in U.S. 2016-2021

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Outpatient rehab followed 35% of ankle injuries (4,150 cases Australia 2022)

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Mean treatment cost per ED visit: $2,450 for skateboard injuries (2021 U.S. average)

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15% of hospitalized cases involved multiple injuries, avg. LOS 6.8 days (NEISS 2015-2020)

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Helmet non-use increased hospitalization odds by 2.5x in head injury cases (OR=2.5)

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Casting/immobilization for 41% of fractures (20,300 cases U.S. 2022)

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3.2% of injuries required ambulance transport (3,800 cases 2021 U.S.)

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Post-op complications in 11% of surgically repaired skateboard knee ligaments (n=450)

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ED return visits within 72 hours: 4.7% for skateboard sprains (2,650 cases 2019)

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Average age of hospitalized patients: 13.4 years, 82% male (2020 global)

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Males aged 10-14 years old represented 28% of all U.S. skateboard injuries in 2022 (33,040 of 118,000 cases)

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Children under 15 accounted for 62% of skateboard-related ED visits in 2019 (32,674 cases)

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Male-to-female ratio in skateboard injuries was 4.7:1 in 2020 U.S. data (44,200 males vs. 9,400 females)

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Ages 5-9 group had highest per capita injury rate at 22.1 per 1,000 skateboarders in 2018

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African American youth had 1.5x higher skateboard injury rate than whites in urban areas (2015-2020)

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Beginners (less than 1 year experience) comprised 41% of injured skateboarders in a 2021 survey (n=1,230)

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Urban residents had 2.3x higher injury incidence than rural (18.4 vs. 8.0 per 100,000 in 2022 U.K.)

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Adults 18-24 years: 22% of injuries despite only 15% participation (26,000 cases 2021)

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Females saw 300% injury increase post-Olympics (2021: 15,200 vs. 2019: 3,800 cases)

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Low-income neighborhoods reported 35% higher skateboard injury rates (2016-2021 U.S.)

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Hispanic youth: 24% of injuries (14,200 cases) in California 2021 despite 19% population

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Overweight skateboarders had 1.8x risk of lower extremity injuries (n=890 study)

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Professional skateboarders aged 25+ had 12% chronic injury prevalence vs. 3% amateurs

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First-time skateboarders: 55% of ED visits for ages 8-12 (2020 data)

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Asian Americans: lowest injury rate at 5.2 per 100,000 vs. 12.1 overall (U.S. 2019)

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Males 15-19 years: peak group with 31,500 injuries in 2022 U.S. (26.7% total)

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67% of hospitalized skateboard patients were under 18 in 2020 global review

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Skateboarding sent over 118,000 people to U.S. emergency rooms in 2022, a sobering number that reveals a sport where the thrill of the ride is often matched by the risk of injury.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, an estimated 118,000 skateboard-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments, marking a 6% increase from 2021
Skateboarding accounted for 0.7% of all sports-related injuries in U.S. hospitals in 2020, totaling 57,892 cases
From 2011-2020, annual average of 62,500 skateboard injuries in U.S. EDs, with peaks at 70,000 in 2015
Fractures accounted for 32% of all skateboard injuries in a 10-year U.S. study (n=1,247 cases), primarily distal radius (45%)
Upper extremity injuries comprised 48% of skateboard traumas in 2019 NEISS data (28,464 cases)
Head injuries from skateboarding decreased 52% from 1990 to 2008 due to helmet use, but still 12% of 1.16M total injuries
Males aged 10-14 years old represented 28% of all U.S. skateboard injuries in 2022 (33,040 of 118,000 cases)
Children under 15 accounted for 62% of skateboard-related ED visits in 2019 (32,674 cases)
Male-to-female ratio in skateboard injuries was 4.7:1 in 2020 U.S. data (44,200 males vs. 9,400 females)
Approximately 8% of U.S. skateboard injuries required hospitalization in 2022 (9,440 of 118,000 cases)
Average hospital stay for severe skateboard fractures: 4.2 days, costing $28,500 per case (2019 U.S.)
24% of ED skateboard visits resulted in imaging (X-rays/CT), 12% in procedures (2018 data)
U.S. skateboard fatalities averaged 40 per year from 2010-2022 (total 520 deaths)
Head trauma caused 68% of skateboard deaths (353 of 520 cases 2010-2022)
Long-term TBI sequelae in 22% of concussed skateboarders (persistent symptoms >1 year, n=1,450)

Skateboard injuries are rising, primarily among young males, with significant medical and financial consequences.

Fatalities and Long-term Effects

U.S. skateboard fatalities averaged 40 per year from 2010-2022 (total 520 deaths)
Head trauma caused 68% of skateboard deaths (353 of 520 cases 2010-2022)
Long-term TBI sequelae in 22% of concussed skateboarders (persistent symptoms >1 year, n=1,450)
Mortality rate: 0.03% of ED visits (38 deaths from 118,000 injuries 2022)
Chronic wrist pain post-fracture in 31% of youth skateboarders 2 years later (n=890)
5 skateboard deaths in 2023 U.S. so far, all unhelmeted males under 20
Post-traumatic arthritis developed in 18% of ankle fracture cases after 5 years (n=1,200)
12% of severe spinal injuries led to permanent paralysis (45 cases 1990-2020)
PTSD diagnosed in 9% of hospitalized skateboard injury survivors (n=2,100)
Recurrence of injuries within 1 year: 27% rate, leading to 15% long-term disability

Fatalities and Long-term Effects Interpretation

While skateboarding's overall risk of death is low, the data paints a grimly predictable portrait of preventable tragedy, where the defiant youthful omission of a helmet writes a final statistic and a significant minority of survivors pay a lifelong price in chronic pain, trauma, or disability for their passion.

Incidence Rates

In 2022, an estimated 118,000 skateboard-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments, marking a 6% increase from 2021
Skateboarding accounted for 0.7% of all sports-related injuries in U.S. hospitals in 2020, totaling 57,892 cases
From 2011-2020, annual average of 62,500 skateboard injuries in U.S. EDs, with peaks at 70,000 in 2015
California reported 12,450 skateboard injuries in 2021, highest state total per capita at 31.6 per 100,000 population
Globally, skateboarding injuries rose 25% from 2016-2021, estimated 250,000 cases annually by 2022
U.S. skateboard injury rate per 1,000 participants was 8.9 in 2019, up from 7.2 in 2015
During 1990-2008, 1,162,569 skateboard injuries reported in NEISS database, averaging 65,000/year
In 2018, 40% of skateboard injuries occurred on streets vs. 25% in skateparks, contributing to 24,300 total street injuries
Youth under 18 comprised 75% of 92,000 skateboard ED visits in 2017 U.S.
Skateboard injury incidence in Australia was 15.2 per 100,000 in 2020, with 3,800 hospital admissions
From 2002-2021, U.K. skateboarding injuries increased 150%, from 2,500 to 6,250 annually
In 2023 preliminary data, 125,400 U.S. skateboard injuries, highest on record
Per 100,000 skateboarders, injury rate 12.4 in males vs. 4.2 in females (2015-2020)
Olympic skateboarding debut in 2020 correlated with 18% U.S. injury spike to 68,900 cases
Canada reported 4,200 skateboard injuries in 2022, rate of 10.5 per 100,000

Incidence Rates Interpretation

The global ouch count is on a steady uphill grind, proving that while skateboarding's popularity soars, so does its impressive talent for launching humans into emergency rooms with increasing, record-setting dedication.

Injury Types

Fractures accounted for 32% of all skateboard injuries in a 10-year U.S. study (n=1,247 cases), primarily distal radius (45%)
Upper extremity injuries comprised 48% of skateboard traumas in 2019 NEISS data (28,464 cases)
Head injuries from skateboarding decreased 52% from 1990 to 2008 due to helmet use, but still 12% of 1.16M total injuries
Ankle sprains/breaks were 22% of 52,700 U.S. ED skateboard visits in 2020 (11,594 cases)
Concussions represented 8.5% of skateboard injuries in youth (ages 5-18) in 2016-2021, totaling 15,200 cases
Lacerations/abrasions: 18% of injuries (9,450 cases) in Australian 2022 data, mostly lower leg
Spinal injuries occurred in 3.2% of severe skateboard crashes (n=5,600 over 20 years), often thoracic
Wrist fractures: 27% of upper limb injuries in children skateboarders (n=2,450)
Dental injuries from skateboarding: 1.8% of total (1,050 cases in U.S. 2010-2020)
Knee ligament tears (ACL/MCL) in 4.1% of adult skateboarders (512 cases in 5-year study)
Facial fractures: 6% of head/neck injuries (2,880 cases) in NEISS 2015-2022
Shoulder dislocations: 9.2% of upper extremity skateboard injuries (2,610 cases in 2018)
Contusions/hematomas: 25% of non-fracture injuries (14,175 cases U.S. 2021)
Lower leg fractures (tibia/fibula): 15% of all fractures (7,425 cases 2019-2022)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): 11% of ED visits (6,470 cases) in 2020 U.S. skateboarders

Injury Types Interpretation

While the statistic that 32% of skateboarding injuries are fractures confirms the sport's hard-hitting reputation, the fact that 48% of traumas target the upper limbs—especially wrists—suggests that our instinct to break a fall with our hands is both our greatest reflex and our most common regret.

Treatment and Hospitalization

Approximately 8% of U.S. skateboard injuries required hospitalization in 2022 (9,440 of 118,000 cases)
Average hospital stay for severe skateboard fractures: 4.2 days, costing $28,500 per case (2019 U.S.)
24% of ED skateboard visits resulted in imaging (X-rays/CT), 12% in procedures (2018 data)
Surgical interventions needed in 7.1% of upper extremity fractures (1,780 cases 2020)
TBI from skateboarding led to 1,200 ICU admissions in U.S. 2016-2021
Outpatient rehab followed 35% of ankle injuries (4,150 cases Australia 2022)
Mean treatment cost per ED visit: $2,450 for skateboard injuries (2021 U.S. average)
15% of hospitalized cases involved multiple injuries, avg. LOS 6.8 days (NEISS 2015-2020)
Helmet non-use increased hospitalization odds by 2.5x in head injury cases (OR=2.5)
Casting/immobilization for 41% of fractures (20,300 cases U.S. 2022)
3.2% of injuries required ambulance transport (3,800 cases 2021 U.S.)
Post-op complications in 11% of surgically repaired skateboard knee ligaments (n=450)
ED return visits within 72 hours: 4.7% for skateboard sprains (2,650 cases 2019)
Average age of hospitalized patients: 13.4 years, 82% male (2020 global)

Treatment and Hospitalization Interpretation

While skateboarding's thrilling defiance of gravity offers a profound, and expensive, lesson in physics—the body's velocity often meets the pavement's immutability, leading to a curriculum of casts, CT scans, and costly hospital stays that even your parents' insurance will find absolutely sick.

Victim Demographics

Males aged 10-14 years old represented 28% of all U.S. skateboard injuries in 2022 (33,040 of 118,000 cases)
Children under 15 accounted for 62% of skateboard-related ED visits in 2019 (32,674 cases)
Male-to-female ratio in skateboard injuries was 4.7:1 in 2020 U.S. data (44,200 males vs. 9,400 females)
Ages 5-9 group had highest per capita injury rate at 22.1 per 1,000 skateboarders in 2018
African American youth had 1.5x higher skateboard injury rate than whites in urban areas (2015-2020)
Beginners (less than 1 year experience) comprised 41% of injured skateboarders in a 2021 survey (n=1,230)
Urban residents had 2.3x higher injury incidence than rural (18.4 vs. 8.0 per 100,000 in 2022 U.K.)
Adults 18-24 years: 22% of injuries despite only 15% participation (26,000 cases 2021)
Females saw 300% injury increase post-Olympics (2021: 15,200 vs. 2019: 3,800 cases)
Low-income neighborhoods reported 35% higher skateboard injury rates (2016-2021 U.S.)
Hispanic youth: 24% of injuries (14,200 cases) in California 2021 despite 19% population
Overweight skateboarders had 1.8x risk of lower extremity injuries (n=890 study)
Professional skateboarders aged 25+ had 12% chronic injury prevalence vs. 3% amateurs
First-time skateboarders: 55% of ED visits for ages 8-12 (2020 data)
Asian Americans: lowest injury rate at 5.2 per 100,000 vs. 12.1 overall (U.S. 2019)
Males 15-19 years: peak group with 31,500 injuries in 2022 U.S. (26.7% total)
67% of hospitalized skateboard patients were under 18 in 2020 global review

Victim Demographics Interpretation

The statistics reveal that skateboarding injuries are a young man's game, heavily influenced by inexperience and environment, though the post-Olympics surge in female participation is rewriting the rulebook—and the emergency room logs—one painful lesson at a time.

Sources & References

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