Ski Accident Attorneys

Skiing and snowboarding are fun and exciting sports that many people in Colorado enjoy. As with any sport, there is the risk of accidents and injuries. In certain cases, when injuries occur after a skiing accident, potentially negligent parties can be responsible for your injuries. 
When there is, you can be entitled to monetary compensation to help cover the costs of medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.  If you were injured in a Colorado ski accident, get a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers to learn how we can help you obtain a favorable settlement for your losses.

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How Common Are Ski Accidents?

In 2012, John Hopkins conducted a study into ski accidents and how wearing helmets could reduce the severity of injuries. At that time, around 600,000 injuries occurred annually among the 10 million skiers and snowboarders in the United States. As of 2023, there were 11.6 million skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. This equates to about two to three skiing injuries occurring daily during ski season, with 30% of those injured being snowboarders. 

During the 2023-2024 ski season in Colorado, 15 people died, including a 14-year-old boy, as reported by the Colorado Sun. Other statistics they report were:

  • Six deaths were from colliding with trees
  • 12 deaths were males
  • Six deaths were the result of medical events post-accident
  • All but one of the accidents were on beginner or intermediate slopes

What Are The Most Common Injuries In Skiing?

Some of the most common skiing injuries include:

  • Bruises
  • Fractured and broken bones
  • Muscle sprains and strains
  • Dislocated shoulders
  • Torn rotator cuffs
  • Concussions
  • Head, back, and ankle injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Death

Bruises and broken bones are the top occurring non-serious injuries in skiing accidents, while traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the top cause of serious injuries. TBIs are also the top cause of death post-accident. 

Common Causes Of Ski Accidents

The leading cause of most ski accidents is from falls. Other common causes are:

  • Collisions with other skiers and snowboarders, trees, and other objects
  • Attempting slopes beyond one’s skill level
  • Lack of protective equipment and gear
  • Damaged equipment
  • Ski lift accidents
  • Improperly maintained facilities
  • Lack of signage

What To Do After A Ski Accident

  • Contact ski patrol: Call ski patrol and tell them where you are located, how many people are involved, and the extent of injuries. Everyone involved in the accident should stay until they arrive. Do not attempt to move an injured person until help arrives.  
  • Seek medical care: It is important to be examined to ensure you are not injured. Sometimes, you may not feel injured right away or have internal injuries that could lead to complications. 
  • File an accident report: Make sure to log the accident with the ski patrol.
  • Document the accident scene: Note the date, time, and weather conditions, and take pictures of where the accident occurred. Additionally, make a note of where everyone was located before they collided. 
  • Exchange information: You should get the names, phone numbers, and homeowner or renter insurance company from everyone involved in the accident. 
  • Contact a ski accident attorney: Filing a ski accident injury claim can be rather complex. Take the time to get a free consultation with an attorney for sound legal advice on how you should proceed with filing your claim. 

What Is The Statute Of Limitations On Colorado Ski Accidents?

The statute of limitations, the amount of time you have to file your injury claim against the responsible party for Colorado ski accidents, is two years. This limitation applies to all ski operators, owners, tramways, and resorts, as well as ski accidents with other skiers, as contained in Colorado’s Ski Safety Act.     

What Are The Ski Accident Laws In Colorado?

Colorado’s ski accident laws are found in the Ski Safety Act, which covers CRS 33-44-101 to 33-44-114. The laws cover the following:

  • Collisions: When two or more skiers collide with one another and are injured, they can sue one another for their skiing injuries. Colorado ski laws require individuals to exchange their information or provide it to the ski operator or resort.  
  • Ski operators/resorts responsibilities: Ski operators and resorts have an obligation to ensure their facilities are kept as safe as possible. There should be clear signage marking ski areas, slopes, boundaries, warning signs, and ski lift areas. Operators and resorts must also ensure all equipment and facilities are well-maintained at all times. 
  • Skiers’ responsibilities: Skiers are required to ensure they can maintain control and avoid injury to others. They should only ski in areas appropriate for their current abilities. They must obey all posted warnings, signs, and instructions provided by the ski operator or resort. They are also required to be aware of their surroundings at all times to avoid collisions with people and objects below them. 

Why Choose Us As Your Colorado Ski Accident Lawyers?

There are several reasons to choose Bachus & Schanker when you need help filing an injury claim after your Colorado ski accident:

  • Honest legal advice: We will provide honest legal advice during your free consultation and case evaluation. If we believe a negligent party is responsible for your injuries, we will give you our honest legal opinion and the best option for seeking damages for your losses.
  • Handling all aspects of your claim: Once we take your case, we handle all aspects, from filing the injury claim with the appropriate insurance companies and responsible parties to negotiating a favorable settlement. We will also aggressively pursue your case at trial if necessary. 
  • Access to our Victims’ Advocates: For traumatic injuries and wrongful death cases, we provide you access to our group of Victims’ Advocates to provide support during this difficult time.
  • First-hand experience: Kyle Bachus has first-hand experience losing his mother due to the negligence of a truck driver. He understands what you are dealing with and the pain and uncertainty associated with catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. 
  • Works in your interests: We will review all settlement offers with you personally, offer our advice, and let you decide what is best for you. 
  • No upfront legal fees: Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe us anything until we settle your case or win at trial. We will provide you with full details of how much this fee is during your free initial consultation. 

Request Your Free Consultation Today 

After being injured in a Colorado ski accident, getting an honest legal opinion from our ski accident attorneys is worth your time. You may be entitled to monetary compensation from one or more negligent parties to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. Get the help you need navigating the complexities of ski and snowboarding accident injury claims from our expert legal team to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. 

Sources:

Blevins, J. (2024). At Least 15 People Died on Colorado Slopes This Ski Season.

CRS 33-44. (2024).

CRS 33-44-111. (2024).

Desmon, S. (2012). Helmets Help Save Lives of Skiers, Snowboards, Research Suggests.

You Deserve Fair Compensation

Don’t let the insurance companies intimidate you into accepting less than you deserve. We’re ready to fight for you.

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Written and Legally Reviewed By: Kyle Bachus

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Kyle is a member of the Colorado Bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for more than twenty years in total. Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. He has served on numerous committees and repeatedly won recognition from his peers at both the state and national level. He is proud of the role he has played in the passage of state and national legislation to protect consumers and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.