Hitting Snow Creek Mountain? Watch Out For These Ski Resort Injuries
For many, the epitome of a perfect winter day is skiing down a mountain with the wind in your hair and the powder beneath your skis. However, skiing and snowboarding, while exhilarating, come with inherent risks. At Patterson Legal Group, we want to ensure that you understand how negligence and recklessness can lead to serious ski resort injuries.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s actions or negligence, then it’s essential that you be aware of your rights. For that reason, the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group share five of the most common ski resort injuries that may be suffered because of another party’s negligence, described along with their risks.
5 Causes of Ski Injuries on Snow Creek Mountain
There are a variety of potential injuries you might suffer at a ski resort. Here are the most common we’ve seen and helped with:
1. Collisions with Other Skiers
Negligence/Recklessness: Collision between skiers is the most frequent cause of injury at ski resorts. Skiers not controlling their speed, direction, or trajectory cause hazardous conditions to others on the slopes. Some ski too fast for the conditions; they fail to yield to skiers below them; and some participate in reckless conduct, such as racing or jumping off jumps without giving warning.
Prevention of Injury: Skiers should be aware of the surroundings and all posted signs and rules, such as speed and control. Resorts also need to enforce safety measures and maintain ski patrols to ensure responsible skiing.
2. Collisions with Obstacles
Negligence/Recklessness: Ski resorts are responsible for having their slopes free of hazardous obstacles such as unmarked trees, rocks, and equipment left on the slopes. Some resorts also fail to keep or mark some dangers properly, thus causing people to collide unexpectedly.
Preventing Injury: Ski resorts should inspect their slopes frequently and remove potential hazards. Skiers also should be vigilant and not leave their equipment or personal belongings on the slopes where others may unwittingly catch them.
3. Ski Resort Injuries from Falling Trees or Branches
Negligence/Recklessness: The other risk skiers are exposed to involves falling trees or branches. It is the duty of the ski resort to ensure that trees on their premises are properly checked and not in danger of falling. Failure to monitor the trees for safety by a resort or failure to warn skiers about the possible dangers leads to injuries.
Preventing Injuries: In ski resorts, the management should make proactive care in maintaining the trees around, specifically those adjacent to ski trails. Good signifying and alert devices may also raise awareness of possible hazards by which skiers navigate in woody regions.
4. Accidents Caused by Faulty Ski Lift Operations
Negligence/Recklessness: A number of forms of negligence may be involved in lift accidents, including the failure to properly maintain and inspect ski lifts, putting too many people in a lift, or operating the same during unsafe conditions like high winds or extreme cold.
Prevention of Injury: Ski resorts should ensure that lifts are inspected and maintained on a regular basis in accordance with safety standards. Operators should also be trained to respond appropriately in the event of a malfunction. Skiers should always follow the resort’s safety instructions when using lifts.
5. Avalanche Ski Resort Injuries
Negligence/Recklessness: Ski resorts that fail to assess and reduce avalanche risk correctly put skiers in extreme danger. Ski resorts should alert guests about avalanche-sensitive areas or provide equipment and proper markings to protect guests.
Prevention of Injury: Ski resorts must assess avalanche risks from time to time and provide proper warnings and guidance to skiers. Skiers should know about conditions and never ski in off-limits or avalanche-prone areas.
Suffered Ski Resort Injuries? Contact a Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Today.
Here at Patterson Legal Group, we’re happy to provide the information you need to avoid ski resort injuries. We’re also here for you if you’ve been injured. Our dedicated team of trial lawyers has a proven track record of success in securing settlements for those hurt in accidents in Kansas and Missouri, as well as in Oklahoma and Colorado. We will fight for you every step of the way.
Get started today with a free consultation by calling us at (888) 687-2400 or filling out an encrypted contact form. You can also connect with our LiveChat representatives. We work under a “no win, no fee” promise, so you won’t pay anything unless we win. Reach out today and take the first step towards the money you deserve.
