Skiing is an extremely popular winter sport in Utah, and it draws more visitors each year. With the extra skiers, there are extra opportunities to get badly hurt. However, some injuries can and should be prevented. If someone else’s negligence caused you to be injured in a skiing accident, compensation may be due.

If you were injured in a skiing accident, you may be able to collect lost income, payment for your medical bills, and your pain and suffering. The Richfield ski accident lawyers of 1Law can evaluate your accident and determine if you may be able to recover financial damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Ski Accident?

Conventional wisdom about the idea that nobody can be held liable for accidents on the slopes is really a mistaken assumption. In the state of Utah, you will see the Skier’s Responsibility Code printed on signs all over the trails and resorts. It’s regarded by the courts as the law of the slopes in Utah.

Skiers who violate these rules can be held responsible for the accidents they cause. Basic comparative negligence doctrine applies just the same as it would in a car accident injury case. When you have millions of visitors each year to play on the same mountains, people must be held accountable when they don’t follow safety laws put in place to protect everyone.

Resorts can be held liable in some situations, as they have a duty to maintain a safe environment. Even though you accept waivers of liability when you buy a lift ticket, if the injuries you suffer are caused by things “not inherent to the sport,” the resort can be responsible. A ski accident attorney can evaluate your specific case.

Damages You May Collect After a Skiing Accident

Both economic and non-economic damages may be considered in a personal injury case for a ski accident.

Non-economic damages refer to things that are not tangible, and are very subjective. Inconvenience, emotional trauma, pain and suffering and the like fall into this category. Economic damages are things like medical bills, lost wages, and future medical treatment costs.

Each case has its own set of circumstances, and the damages will depend upon the evidence presented, the party you are filing suit against, and the availability of insurance. Many individuals carry homeowners or renters insurance that covers these types of accidents when they ski or snowboard.

Damages can depend upon the existence or limits of a policy when suing an individual person as opposed to a resort. A ski accident lawyer in Richfield can help you to locate these policies and advise you on whether a personal injury case may be right for you.

Some examples of damages you may be able to recover include:

• Lost wages and loss of future earnings
• Cost of future or ongoing medical treatments
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Replacement or repair of personal property

Can I Collect Punitive Damages for a Ski Accident in Utah?

In cases of gross negligence, it is possible to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party for the negligent actions that caused the accident. If the at-fault person or resort’s negligent actions were performed in a way that showed complete recklessness or disregard for others, you may be able to pursue punitive damages.

Some examples of gross negligence include:

• Physical altercations with other parties on the mountain
• Speeding intentionally or skiing recklessly with the knowledge that they could harm others
• Knowingly allowing malfunctioning equipment to be used on the mountain, such as running a broken ski lift
• Using slope grooming equipment, ski lifts, snowmobiles or other equipment in a reckless manner

Types of Accidents a Ski Accident Attorney Commonly Handles

This adrenaline-producing sport is always going to come with risk. Though skiing was never meant to be a contact sport, people can still be severely injured, pushed off the trail, or suffer life-threatening or fatal injuries.

However, you may be wondering if certain types of ski accidents are eligible for a lawsuit. Depending on the parties involved, they may be. Some of the most common types of accidents we see include:

• Ski lift accidents and malfunctions - It’s imperative to have an operating lift at a skiing property. When lifts are not maintained or they are malfunctioning due to faulty parts or errors by the lift operator, serious accidents can happen. The resort and operator can be held liable in this case.
• Collisions with people - If the other skier was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or in violation of the skier's responsibility code, they may be held liable for your injuries.
• Collisions with objects - Maintenance vehicles or items left in ski areas by the operators of the resort can cause serious accidents and severe injuries. A ski accident attorney in Richfield can help you determine if the object placement was negligent. The resort or another party can be held liable depending on the situation.
• Poorly maintained ski trails - The resort has the responsibility to properly maintain the ski and snowboarding trails. Signage, warnings, and safety notices should be clearly posted. The lack of maintenance or signs can create very unsafe conditions that lead to injuries.

Call Us Today—You May Have a Right to File a Ski Accident Claim

Discussing the facts of your specific situation with an attorney will help you to learn if you have a right to collect compensation in a ski accident claim. Even if you are uncertain about the circumstances surrounding your accident, the Richfield ski accident attorneys of 1Law will be happy to hear the details of your case.

If you believe an individual was responsible for your accident, we can work to find the insurance policies and file a claim for compensation on your behalf, negotiate with the insurance company and handle the legal details. Contact 1Law today to learn more.