Injury Lawyer Serving Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield & Surrounding Areas in Colorado
One of the greatest benefits of living in Colorado is that you get to enjoy over 200 sunny days per year, but can also head into the mountains to partake in a wondrous day of skiing or snowboarding. In fact, our attorney, Christopher W. Jeffress of Jeffress Law, is an avid snowboarder that loves getting to head up to enjoy the mountain resorts. Mr. Jeffress also understands that, while on the slopes, you are vulnerable to the inexperience and disregard of others.
While being on the slopes can be a peaceful and wonderful experience, it can also result in horrible injuries if you are involved in a collision with someone that is skiing or snowboarding negligently. When you suffer a personal injury because of a skiing or snowboarding accident, you need to contact an attorney that has local experience with these types of cases. Contact Jeffress Law today so our attorney can help you seek financial restitution for your suffering and injuries. Call us at 303-993-8685.
Ski and Snowboard Collision Accidents
Skiing and snowboarding are sports and, just like any other sport, there are inherent risks involved with partaking in them. While you assume some of these risks when you purchase your lift tickets or season pass, that doesn't mean that you are accepting that negligence by another should occur and cause injury. Skiing/snowboarding accidents that occur from negligence are often due to any of the following:
- Another skier/snowboarder is going too fast and causes a collision because of their speed
- Skier/snowboarder is on an advanced run when they aren't ready for its difficulty, thereby becoming a hazard and liability to everyone on that run
- A skier or snowboarder isn't paying attention and slams into a skier/snowboarder that is stopped on the hill
- Skier/snowboarder doesn't know who has the right-of-way on a slope and collides while merging
- Skier/snowboarder pushes someone off of a lift
- Skier/snowboarder causes someone to fall off of a lift
While you may bring a claim against another skier or rider who caused the injury, it is much more difficult – and often impossible – to bring a claim against the operator of the ski area.
Because of the protection afforded resorts by the Colorado State Legislature, by way of the Colorado Ski Safety Act, there is a very high bar to be able to sue a ski area or ski operator. This law releases the operator from liability in many scenarios, which basically boil down to whether the accident occurred because of the inherent dangers associated with snow sports. You can read the full text of the ski and snowboard law to learn about your responsibilities vs. the operator's responsibilities. Furthermore, the waiver you sign when you purchase a season pass affords the operator even more protection against lawsuits. Consult Mr. Jeffress to find out if you have a case.
Your Responsibilities Under the Law
The Colorado Ski Safety Act lays out legal responsibilities for ski operators, and for skiers and snowboarders. As a skier/snowboarder, your responsibilities include:
- You must maintain control of your course and your speed
- You must ride within your abilities
- You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects if necessary
- Use devices that are designed to prevent runaway equipment
- Riders and skiers in front of you have the right of way
- You must not stop where you are blocking the trail
- You must not stop in a location where riders/skiers above you cannot see you
- Obey all posted signs and warnings
- You must know how to use a chairlift properly prior to using it
The Colorado Ski Safety Act says that danger is inherent in these snow sports, and that you accept that danger as a risk when you use ski operator property. But when another person using the mountain is careless or reckless, you deserve justice and the opportunity to hold them accountable. You should not have to live with the consequences of your injury while the responsible person walks away without accountability.
What to do after an Accident on the Slopes
You may not be able to do much at all if you are catastrophically injured. Your well-being is the priority, so all your energy should be focused on getting medical attention. The following to-dos apply only if you can do them safely:
- Get medical attention first and foremost
- If you are able, get the other person's name, phone number, address and driver's license number
- Get the contact information for any and all witnesses
- If you can do so safely, take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the collision
- Report your injury to ski patrol
- Contact Chris Jeffress
Once you call Mr. Jeffress, he will discuss the details of your case with you in a complimentary consultation. As a snowboarder, he has seen first-hand the type of reckless riding and skiing that leads to injury. As your attorney, he will fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Justice for the Injured
Whatever the cause of your skiing/snowboarding accident, our attorney understands that your injury may affect every aspect of your life. Mr. Jeffress will invest his time to get to know you and your family in order to understand how your injury is affecting your life physically, emotionally, financially, and professionally. Then, he will seek the maximum amount of financial restitution in order to get the proper medical coverage you require for recovery.
For help with your case, don't settle for an attorney that will treat you like a number; contact Jeffress Law today! Mr. Jeffress has experience with these types of cases and has been very successful with them. He operates on a contingency-fee basis and will help you get back to normal. Contact our firm today by filling out the contact form on this page or by calling 303-993-8685. We proudly serve clients in Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, and the Metro Area. Get directions to our Boulder area law office from Google Maps!
