Ski Accidents In Colorado – Call Denver Ski Accident Lawyer for Help!

Colorado is known worldwide for its spectacular slopes, leading millions of people to visit the state’s ski resorts every year. Unfortunately, skiing and snowboarding carry some risks, and people are injured or killed every year in the state. If you have suffered a ski-related injury, it is important for you to understand your rights as well as those of the ski resort. An experienced denver ski accident lawyer in Colorado might help you to recover the compensation to which you might be entitled.

Colorado Ski and Safety Act

Skiing is an important part of Colorado’s tourism, and the Colorado State Legislature enacted a law called the Ski and Safety Act in 1979. This law, which is codified at Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 33-44-101 to -114, outlines the responsibilities of skiers and ski areas alike. The law states that there are inherent dangers involved with skiing and snowboarding and that people assume those risks when they choose to ski. A skier has a duty to ski within his or her ability level, and an uphill skier owes a duty to avoid collisions. Violations of either are negligence.
The law also outlines the duties that are owed by ski areas and resorts to people who are visiting their slopes. For example, ski resorts have duties to mark trails and post warnings. If a resort or ski area violates its duties, then it may be liable to injured victims or to the families of people who have been killed. The damages amounts are capped under the law, however. A denver ski accident lawyer may analyze an individual case to determine whether a ski resort has immunity from lawsuits under the act. If the resort instead violated its duties, the attorney may file a lawsuit against it on behalf of his or her client.

Negligence by Others

While the Colorado Ski and Safety Act provides broad protections to the state’s ski resorts, people are often seriously injured while visiting ski slopes by the actions of others on the slopes. Many people are injured when other skiers crash into them. If a skier crashed into you when he or she was acting recklessly, you may be able to hold him or her liable through a personal injury lawsuit. While many people are hesitant to file lawsuits against other skiers or snowboarders who have injured them because they believe that they won’t be able to recover damages, a large number of people who are on the slopes have available coverage through their renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policies. An experienced denver ski accident lawyer understands how to check for all possible sources of recovery to secure the maximum possible amount for his or her clients.

Lifts

Many injuries and fatalities occur when people are using lifts at ski areas and resorts. When people are seriously injured or killed in lift accidents, the damages limits do not apply. Lift accidents instead fall under a separate act called the Passenger Tramway Safety Act, which is codified in Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 25-5-701 et seq. If lifts are not maintained properly, resulting in a dangerous condition on them, then the lift operators may be held to be liable to pay damages without statutory limitations.

The importance of legal help

Ski accidents are governed by a myriad of statutes and case law, making the legal area highly complex. If you have been injured in a ski accident or your loved one has been killed, it is important for you to get help from an experienced denver ski accident lawyer. A lawyer may provide an honest assessment about the winnability of your case. If he or she agrees to accept representation, he or she may advocate aggressively on your behalf to recover the fair compensation that you deserve.