SARATOGA SPRINGS SKIING/SNOWBOARDING INJURY ATTORNEYS

Skiing and snowboarding are two hobbies which have grown in popularity. Heading out to the slopes is one way to get through Saratoga Springs’s lengthy winter while trying to find some sun. Unfortunately, it’s quite easy to get into an accident while enjoying the fresh powder (or, in the Northeast, ice). Skiers and snowboarders can end up being airlifted off a mountain after a major accident, and some need months to recover at home.

Call D’Orazio Peterson PC. These are usually complicated cases. It’s not always easy to identify what happened or who is to blame for your serious injuries.

Our Saratoga Springs skiing and snowboarding accident lawyer can help anyone injured out on the slopes. We can begin compiling evidence and, once we establish fault, negotiate a favorable settlement for your injuries. Our consultations are free, so there is no risk of reaching out today.

Skiing and Snowboarding Collisions

Many accidents are the fault of dangerous skiers and snowboarders. These individuals fly down the slopes out of control or without watching where they are going. More careful skiers and snowboarders end up run over by these dangerous people and suffer major head, neck, and spinal injuries.

We may be able to pursue a claim against a skier when they fail to act with sufficient care. Ideally, we want to speak to other witnesses who saw the accident. They can help us identify what happened and who is at fault. Often, the skier or snowboarder who is uphill is to blame because they have a better view of the skiers below them.

Negligent Ski Resorts

In some cases, the ski resort is to blame for failing to follow the law. They might cause an accident because of:

• Failure to train employees correctly;
• Failure to fix or mark man-made obstructions;
• Failure to inspect the ski slope or trail for defects;
• Failure to fix or repair trail equipment, including lifts;
• Failure to provide adequate security to guests.

New York law creates many requirements for ski resorts. They must employ sufficient personnel and properly train them to aid injured skiers. They also need to take reasonable steps to keep the slopes safe. If they can’t, then they shouldn’t open the slope for business.

Defective Ski Equipment

We can also help skiers and snowboarders who are injured due to a product defect. For example, a snowboard might fail to work properly. You could end up thrown from the board while going down the slope and suffer major neck or facial injuries.

Other defective equipment includes skis, helmets, goggles/visors, and even defective ski lifts. Call our office. We want to inspect the product to see if we can find a defect. Some are designed improperly, while others are weakened due to poor materials or because the manufacturer failed to follow the design blueprint. We might end up bringing a claim against the manufacturer of the product.

Compensation for Your Skiing or Snowboarding Accident

Some victims can get up and dust themselves off before going to the base of the hill. Sadly, others need emergency help. Ski and snowboarding injuries vary in severity, but many of our clients are gravely injured.

We can seek financial compensation for:

• Medical bills, including hospital treatment and surgery;
• Ongoing or future medical care, including physical therapy;
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity if you can’t work following your skiing or snowboarding accident;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental distress.

The typical settlement is hard to estimate. New York has a comparative negligence law which applies to skiing and snowboarding accidents. (See New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1411.) If you are partially to blame for the accident, your compensation will be reduced equal to your share of culpability.

Why You Should Quickly Contact Us

New York’s statute of limitations requires that you file a lawsuit before a certain deadline, otherwise you lose your legal rights. For most personal injury cases, the deadline is three years from the date of the accident. (NY CPLR § 214.) Suppose you go over it. In that case, you will lose the ability to sue.

A product defect case also has a three-year statute of limitations. We highly recommend contacting our firm so that we can find useful evidence before it disappears.

Speak with an Attorney about Your Accident on the Slopes

D’Orazio Peterson PC is a growing law firm in Saratoga Springs which has represented many accident victims in personal injury cases. Skiing and snowboarding are dangerous activities. Nonetheless, no one should be hurt by a dangerous skier or a negligent resort. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our office.

D’Orazio Peterson PC

193 Lake Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-308-8339

518-633-5106 (fax)