Skiing is a fun hobby and a great way to stay active during winter. However, skiing and snowboarding can also involve devastating accidents on the slopes that sometimes cause life-changing injuries.
Many parties could be legally liable for injuries you suffered in a ski or snowboard accident, including other skiers or the resort. Reckless or careless skiing, poorly maintained slopes, or negligently hired ski lift operators all pose potential hazards that could cause an accident.
Understanding legal liability for a ski accident is critical when filing a personal injury claim. Determining liability can be complex, especially when multiple parties are at fault. Discussing your case with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you ascertain who’s responsible for your injuries after a ski accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Ski Accident??
Liability in a ski accident can result from many kinds of negligent, careless, or reckless behavior. Potentially liable parties include:
- Other skiers or snowboarders behaving recklessly, carelessly, or negligently
- A ski resort that fails to properly maintain its slopes, signage, ski lifts, or other equipment
- A ski lift operator whose negligent operation of the lift causes harm
A skier also can be partially liable for injuries they suffer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ski Accident Liability
Questions we commonly receive from injured skiers and snowboarders include:
Q: Can there be more than one liable party?
A: Yes, there can be more than one liable party in a ski accident. Different parties’ behavior may contribute to the accident, with fault divided among the parties.
Q: What are some instances in which a skier would be responsible for their own injury?
A: Skiers would be responsible for their own injury if they behaved negligently, carelessly, or recklessly on the slopes in a manner that partially caused the injury. Whether a skier can recover financial damages for an injury they partially caused depends on contributory negligence laws of the state where the accident occurred.
Q: Are there rules or laws skiers must obey on the slopes?
A: Everyone has certain responsibilities while on the slopes. Skiers must observe reasonable safety practices while skiing, including respecting others’ right of way, observing signs and similar basic rules.
Common Causes of Ski Accidents
Ski accidents can have many different causes that result in serious injuries, such as head trauma, fractures, and spinal cord injuries.
Collisions With Other Skiers and Snowboarders
It can be difficult to determine fault in collisions with other skiers. Speed, reckless behavior, loss of control, equipment malfunctions, and weather may all contribute to a collision.
Ski Lift Issues
The ski resort may be at fault for a ski lift accident if it fails to maintain the lift or take reasonable safety measures. Mechanical malfunctions or frayed cables generally result from poor maintenance by the resort. However, equipment manufacturers can also be responsible for product defects.
Meanwhile, some accidents result from operator negligence, such as when conduct or omissions cause problems with unloading the lift. Sometimes, the ski resort may also be partially liable for accidents caused by the operator if it negligently hired them despite knowing they were incapable of doing the job.
Ski Resort Negligence
Signs indicating slope difficulty and hazards are crucial to skiers’ safety. A ski resort may be at fault for an accident if it does not adequately maintain slope conditions or provide proper signage.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Determine Who Is at Fault for a Ski Accident?
Given the complexity of ski accidents, it’s important to work with an experienced ski accident lawyer who can assess your case and determine who is liable.
A ski accident lawyer will do the following:
- Investigate, determine how the accident occurred, and identify the responsible parties.
- Build your case by gathering evidence, such as the following:
- Photos and video, including of the slopes and signage
- Eyewitness statements
- Lift pass scan data
- Mobile phone data
- Medical records
- Expert opinions
- Determine all applicable insurance coverage and negotiate with insurers on your behalf for a full and fair settlement.
- Prepare and file a lawsuit, litigate your case, and fight for you in court.
Rely on Feller & Wendt, LLC, To Handle Your Ski Accident
After a ski or snowboard accident, getting back on your feet can be difficult. It’s critical to have a trustworthy ski accident attorney on your side. The lawyers at Feller & Wendt, LLC, are experienced personal injury attorneys with offices in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona who understand the complexity of ski accidents. We’ve served hundreds of satisfied clients and are ready to fight for you.
Call 801-421-1569 or reach out online today for your free case evaluation. Ofrecemos servicios en español.
*This information provided by Feller & Wendt, LLC is for informational purposes only and should be in no way construed as legal advice.
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Layton Office
67 S. Main St., #100
Layton, UT, 84041
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