What To Do After A Ski Accident In Colorado: A Step-By-Step Guide

A Ski Accident On Resort Property 

Contact the ski patrol if you are involved in an accident while skiing on the resort property. Ski resorts typically provide skiers with ski patrol numbers or display the emergency dispatch number throughout their boundaries. Many ski resorts also have radios that you can use. 

It’s also becoming common for ski resorts to have apps that skiers download to access numerous services, including emergency numbers. A resort can even determine the exact location of a skier using the app by asking them to turn on the location services.

On the call, state your name, location on the mountain, nature of injury, and number of people involved in the accident. You may also be asked to provide details of the circumstances that led to the accident. After making the call, wait at the scene until the ski patrol arrives.

While waiting, use your phone to take pictures and videos of the terrain, the trail name, any obstacles, your equipment, and your injuries, among other vital details. It’s recommended that the shots be captured from different angles to reveal different perspectives. If you can’t take pictures, ask a witness to help you. 

Additionally, obtain the names and contact information of the witnesses and other skiers involved in the accident. If possible, write down their statements.

When the patroller arrives, they should provide immediate medical care to stabilize you before deciding whether or not it’s necessary to take you to the hospital. It’s vital to see a doctor, even if the patroller can treat you on the slope. While they are trained to offer first aid and emergency care, a record showing you sustained an injury on the property and sought immediate medical attention can be critical if you take legal action against the resort.

After receiving medical care, formally report the accident to the resort. In most cases, the ski patrol or any other staff involved in the case will ask you questions to complete a physical or online form, which they will forward to the resort’s management to initiate an investigation. You should request a copy of the form.

Be careful when providing details about the accident to the ski patrol. Do not admit fault or use statements that may imply you were responsible for the accident.

A Ski Accident In The Backcountry

If you are involved in an accident when skiing outside the patrolled boundaries of a ski resort, call 911. Provide your name and location and follow any given instructions.

If you have the emergency dispatch number of a local ski resort, consider calling them to receive medical services faster, especially if your injuries are severe. When you call 911, chances are they will contact the ski patrol at the nearest resort, who will be dispatched to your location. 

While waiting for help, take photos and videos or ask a witness to help you. You need to also obtain the information of the witnesses and other skiers involved in the accident and their statements. 

Upon arrival, the ski patrol will assess your injuries and offer immediate medical care. As aforementioned, it’s crucial to see a doctor as well.

Whether skiing in a designated area in a resort or the backcountry, having the ski patrol dispatch number of a particular resort or a nearby resort is essential.

Liable Parties For A Ski Accident

Different parties can be responsible for snow skiing crashes if they were negligent, which led to your accident. They include:

A Ski Resort

A ski resort may be liable for a ski accident if it fails to observe the acceptable standards to keep skiers safe. For instance, if they fail to properly maintain slopes and equipment, such as they don’t groom slopes, monitor snow depth, or regularly inspect and service all machinery.

Other aspects that could result in a resort being liable for a ski accident are having inadequate staff to respond to emergencies and failing to warn about hazards, such as not informing skiers of the presence of snowmaking machines in certain areas.

Another Skier

Another skier may be responsible for an accident if they negligently collide with you. If a ski resort “allows negligent behaviors” (they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent dangerous actions by skiers), it may also be liable for a crash caused by a skier.

A Ski Employee

A ski employee can be liable if their direct action or inaction causes an accident. For example, when:

• A ski instructor negligently lets a student go to a terrain beyond their skill level or gives incorrect instructions
• An employee fails to maintain ski lifts or grooming equipment
• A lift operator fails to follow safety protocols
• A ski patrol fails to respond to an emergency 

Note that the resort may still be found liable when the negligence of their employee causes a ski accident in Colorado.

A Ski Equipment Manufacturer

If a defect in ski equipment contributes to an accident, the manufacturer may be held liable. At times, a design flaw in a product may cause a ski accident, in which case, the designer may be liable.

A Third Party

A third party that offers a ski resort specified services may be responsible for an accident if they act negligently, such as a slope maintenance company that fails to properly maintain slopes or puts machines in dangerous positions on a slope without proper warning.

If you are injured in a backcountry ski accident, the probable liable parties are:

• A skier who acts negligently, causing a collision
• A ski equipment manufacturer/designer when an accident is caused by a defect in your equipment
• A property owner whose property can be used to access backcountry areas or is close to such areas who fails to warn skiers of hazards

When To Contact A Ski Accident Lawyer

You should contact a ski accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our ski accident attorneys will assess the details of your case to establish grounds for a lawsuit and liability. We will also review your medical records to understand the severity of your injuries and, in turn, determine a fair amount to claim as compensation.

A ski accident claim can be complicated, as it involves navigating Colorado ski laws and the specific area ski rules. At Bachus & Schanker, we will provide information to help you understand your case and its relevant elements, such as the damages you can claim. Accordingly, you can fight for what you deserve.