Several dozen people in the United States die in skiing and snowboarding accidents each year. The National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) statistics claim that 57 skiers and snowboarders died on the slopes during the 2021-2022 skiing season. This number is higher than the ten-year industry average of 40 fatalities per year, according to the NSAA. The NSAA’s statistics also show that 54 people suffered catastrophic injuries in accidents during the 2021-2022 season. Both fatality accidents and catastrophic injury accidents on the ski slopes can result in survivors incurring substantial costs. Receiving compensation for these costs, with or without help from a New York ski accident lawyer, may not be as easy an endeavor as you first think.
Negligent Parties Can Still Be Responsible for Injuries
A personal injury lawsuit claims that one party’s negligence or careless acts led to another person’s injuries and subsequent financial, physical, and emotional harm. This principle does not change just because your injury accident occurred on a mountainside instead of a roadway. An experienced ski accident lawyer can help you navigate the slippery slope of a skiing accident lawsuit.
Some of the individuals and entities that might have to pay compensation include the following:
Other Skiers Can Be Negligent Parties in a Lawsuit
On the slopes, every skier owes all other skiers a legal duty to act reasonably and carefully. This duty means skiers should exercise caution when attempting new and more challenging trails and give other skiers plenty of space while descending the slope.
But crashes and collisions can still happen, even when skiers are reasonably careful. A resort may mislabel a trail, or sudden changing weather conditions can make an accident more likely. Yet no skier can control the weather or ensure a course is labeled correctly.
As an injury victim, it is more likely that you will need to show that the at-fault skier knew that a situation presented an above-average risk of a crash and proceeded to act the way they did anyway. An experienced ski accident lawyer can help you prove this.
Holding the Ski Lodge Responsible May Be More Challenging
The ski lodge could also be responsible for your injuries, especially if your accident happened because of the condition of the slopes. However, a legal doctrine known as the assumption of risk can make it impossible to recover any compensation from the ski resort.
The assumption of risk doctrine holds that if you suffer an injury because of a danger inherent in a particular activity, then no recovery is possible. Skiing has several potential dangers, including uneven terrain and obstacles like trees. If any of these cause you injury, the assumption of risk doctrine will keep you from receiving compensation.
Accidents on the Slopes Require a Skilled Ski Accident Lawyer
Determining who is responsible for your injuries after an accident at a ski resort is more complicated than it seems. Trust the knowledgeable ski accident lawyers at The Matera Law Firm. We can help you navigate the legal terrain of a ski accident and determine whether you are eligible for compensation for your injuries.
Schedule a free case evaluation with our dedicated Long Island injury lawyers to discuss the circumstances of your accident. We will advise you on your legal options and help you take any necessary and available steps to recover the compensation you deserve.
We proudly serve Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Greater New York State. Contact us for your free consultation today, and let our experience work for you.
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