Recreational Accidents

Colorado is one of the leading locations in the country for recreational activities, like snowboarding, skiing, and white-water rafting. Although all of these activities have some inherent risks, negligence on the part of resorts, instructors, equipment manufacturers, and other visitors can put people in significant danger.

If you’ve suffered a recreational injury as a result of an outdoor accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim and receive compensation. Because these accidents are typically severe, and could involve multiple liable parties, one of the most important things you can do is to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you.

At Bachus & Schanker, our attorneys can help you understand your rights, and negotiate for the fair compensation you deserve.

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What Are Recreational Accidents And How Do They Happen?

Recreational accidents refer to those that occur during activities that are meant only for entertainment purposes. These can include skiing, snowboarding, boating, and river rafting. Some of these accidents are unavoidable, but others can occur because of negligence.

Negligence refers to the failure to act as another reasonable person would have behaved in the same circumstances. If you weren’t given appropriate safety equipment before participating in white-water rafting, for example, and that led to your injuries, the defendant (the instructor or other similar party) breached their duty of care toward you. That would allow you to file a claim.

Common Types Of Recreational Accidents In Colorado

Because of Colorado’s stunning landscapes, there are many recreational activities that are possible to pursue. That also means, however, that the types of accidents that can occur are also vast.

Skiing And Snowboarding Accidents

Skiing and snowboarding accidents belong to this category. Every year, approximately 600,000 people suffer injuries because of these two recreational activities.

Injuries can happen for a number of reasons. Equipment can malfunction, or you may not receive proper safety instructions or gear from the people in charge at the slopes. Other skiers and snowboarders can cause accidents if they’re intoxicated or not paying attention to those around them.

Ski lift accidents could result in serious injuries, as well. Lifts that are not maintained correctly, or those that are impacted by harsh weather events and terrain issues, can all cause injuries.

Snowboarding and skiing accidents may mean dealing with broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries, even in people who wear helmets. Although rare, fatalities do occur every year because of these recreational accidents.

River Rafting Accidents

River rafting relies on inflatable rafts that you use to navigate rivers. It’s available in many difficulty levels, but they all hold some risk.

It’s possible to hit rocks, or suffer a blow from an oar, and you can also suffer strains and sprains from twisting muscles and ligaments in the powerful rush of water. In the worst cases, drowning is a possibility.

Often, these accidents occur from a lack of proper safety equipment, including helmets. The raft itself may be faulty, making it much more difficult to maneuver.

Boating Accidents

A relaxing day on someone’s boat can become a nightmare if they hit another vehicle or rocks. Just as with car accidents, these collisions can leave you battling serious injuries. There is also the risk of onboard fires.

Boating accidents can occur for the same reasons as car accidents: operator distraction, intoxication, or fatigue. Sometimes, however, the boat itself may not function correctly, leading to collisions or becoming stranded in the middle of one of Colorado’s lakes.

Amusement Park Accidents

Amusement parks can also result in injuries if water slides, rides, or other features are defective. If you’re not given proper safety instructions or the necessary gear, or if operators are in any way negligent in warning you of the potential dangers, you could be able to file a claim.

Other visitors can also cause accidents. If they’re intoxicated and don’t obey regulations when using water slides or equipment, they could cause harm to others.

Serious Injuries From Recreational Activities

Recreational activities typically rely on heavy equipment and machinery, such as ski lifts, boats, and rafts, which means that there’s a greater chance of suffering catastrophic injuries. Broken bones can easily occur, especially if you’re traveling at significant speeds down a river or mountainside. Whiplash, which can leave you with lasting pain, is possible as well.

You can also experience internal damage. Hitting rocks, trees, or other people can injure your organs and cause internal bleeding. These wounds aren’t always apparent from the moment they occur, so they can progress before you realize something’s wrong.

Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are also a problem. These can happen as a result of hitting your back, neck, or head with significant force or of being struck with oars, ski poles, and other equipment. Falls from heights could occur if a ski lift malfunctions and can also cause spinal cord injuries.

You can suffer temporary issues, like herniated discs or much more serious conditions, like partial or complete paralysis.

Perhaps the most severe types of injuries you could suffer in a recreational accident, however, are traumatic brain injuries. Even milder ones, like concussions, can leave you battling cognitive problems, headaches, and long-term symptoms. Traumatic brain injuries happen when your brain shifts and strikes the inside of your skull.

How Bachus & Schanker Can Help After A Recreational Accident

At Bachus & Schanker, we know what it means to lose someone as a result of negligence. One of our founders lost a loved one through wrongful death involving a truck. Knowing how difficult the legal process can be for victims; we decided to offer the services that everyone dealing with catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths deserves.

Our group of Victims’ Advocates can offer the legal and emotional support you need. We work closely with this group and ensure that all of your needs are met as the case begins. With our team by your side, you know you have fierce advocates ready to negotiate aggressively for fair compensation.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation On Your Recreational Accident Claim

You deserve to receive guidance that makes the claims process easier and less traumatic. At Bachus & Schanker, our team of personal injury attorneys provides the compassionate assistance you deserve after suffering injuries in a recreational accident.