Skiing is one of the things that makes Colorado a popular vacation destination during the winter months. The many resorts across the state provide beautiful views and accommodations that draw thousands each year. With ski season rapidly approaching at resorts across the state, many people both here in the state and from other states are gearing up to hit the slopes.
Most visitors will stay at a resort, do some skiing and go home without incident. However, you may be among the skiers who suffer injuries while staying at a resort. When you contemplate pursuing compensation for those injuries, who do you believe is responsible?
What happens on the slopes
Of course, your actions play a part in who could be at fault for your injuries. However, as long as you follow the rules, pay attention and otherwise exercise caution while skiing, any injuries you suffer could be the fault of someone else.
The most common sources of injury while skiing include the following:
- Accidents on ski lifts
- Poorly maintained slopes for downhill skiing
- Improperly groomed trails for cross country skiing
- Defective equipment
- Collisions between skiers
If you are involved in an accident while skiing, it could be due to one of these reasons.
Beware of liability waivers
As part of your skiing experience, the resort may ask you to sign a liability waiver. In the alternative, if you purchase a season pass each year, part of the paperwork you sign could include absolving the ski resort of responsibility for injuries suffered in past seasons as well. It would be in your best interests to thoroughly read any document the resort wants you to sign.
Do you believe that negligence caused your injuries?
If you believe that the injuries you suffered while skiing resulted from the negligence of the resort or another skier, you may be able to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, any lost income and other damages. Such a pursuit will undoubtedly require an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Who is deemed at fault for your accident will depend on the results of that inquiry. You may find yourself at a loss regarding where to begin and how to gather the evidence you need in order to prove negligence in a personal injury claim. Knowing what to look for often takes experience in these types of cases. It may be beneficial for you to enlist the help of an attorney who is well-versed in handling skiing accidents here in the state.
