Colorado’s mountains offer world-class skiing and snowboarding, but they also bring real risks, especially when someone else’s careless behavior causes an accident. Skier-skier collisions are among the most common types of ski- or snowboard-related injuries, and many victims assume these accidents are simply “part of the sport.” In reality, if another skier or a ski resort acted negligently and caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
Understanding how negligence works on the slopes, what evidence strengthens your claim, and when a ski resort may be held liable is essential to protecting your rights. Here’s what you need to know about your rights when you suffer a skier-skier collision and think you may have a case of a personal injury claim.
Colorado law places clear responsibilities on skiers. Under the Colorado Ski Safety Act, every skier must maintain control of their speed and direction and avoid people or objects downhill. When a skier violates these rules by skiing too fast, failing to yield, or behaving recklessly, they can be considered negligent.
Some common examples of skier negligence include:
In a skier-skier collision case, proving negligence often means demonstrating that the uphill skier failed to follow these safety responsibilities. The downhill skier has a responsibility to maintain control and speed, but Colorado courts generally presume that the uphill skier is responsible because they have the best view of what’s below them and the greatest ability to prevent a crash. So, if you were hit from behind, this presumption strongly supports your claim, but additional evidence is still vital.
In ski-collision cases, timely and thorough documentation can make or break your claim. After an accident, you should take the following steps as soon as possible in order to protect your rights and help your legal case:
Notify ski patrol and request that they document the scene. Their report may include witness names, the location of the crash, weather conditions, trail difficulty, and initial statements from both parties. These details often become crucial evidence.
At Bowman Law, our expert attorneys can help guide you on what to do after an accident, whether related to skiing or another type of crash.
Ski collisions often happen in busy areas: lift lines, trail merges, slow zones, or green runs. You may not think witness statements carry a lot of weight for legal proceedings, but even one credible witness can significantly strengthen your negligence claim. Eyewitnesses may have seen the other skier lose control or behave recklessly. Be sure to get names, phone numbers, and any recorded statements after a crash, if possible.
After a crash, you or someone else should document the scene to help law enforcement, insurance professionals, and attorneys collect evidence for your case. Be sure to document the following:
These visuals support your memory and help accident reconstruction experts if your case requires them.
Injuries like concussions, fractures, and internal trauma are common in ski crashes, and delayed treatment can worsen them. Medical documentation also creates a clear, time-stamped record that connects the collision to your injuries.
Read More: Learn More About Damages in Personal Injury Causes
Your skis, helmet, bindings, and clothing may contain physical evidence like impact marks, broken components, or transfer marks from the other skier. After a crash, do not repair or dispose of anything until your attorney advises you to, as your equipment could prove helpful for different legal processes.
Many people assume ski resorts cannot be held responsible for accidents because skiing is an “inherently dangerous activity.” While it’s true that resorts are protected from some types of lawsuits under the Ski Safety Act and your lift ticket waiver, they can be held liable for certain preventable hazards.
Ski resorts may be responsible if they fail to:
For example, if a resort allows a high-speed merging area to become overcrowded with no signage or monitoring, and a skier collision occurs due to the chaos, the resort may share some responsibility.
Although skier-skier collisions typically involve individual negligence, a resort can be liable if its actions contributed to the conditions that caused the crash, such as:
Proving resort liability often requires technical evidence, expert analysis, and a thorough understanding of Colorado ski law. This is where one of our experienced personal injury attorneys from Bowman Law can provide meaningful guidance and support.
To prove negligence against another skier or a resort, you must establish four key elements:
In order to prove these elements, you need the right evidence. Some types of evidence that help establish these realities include:
For additional background, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) publishes public responsibility guidelines on skier responsibility and safety. These can be helpful external references when establishing what “reasonable care” should look like.
Ski collision cases can be complex. Resorts have legal teams, insurers push to minimize payouts, and negligent skiers often deny responsibility. Bowman Law’s personal injury attorneys ensure your rights are protected and that you collect the necessary evidence before it disappears. Bowman Law Firm can help you:
Whether you suffered physical, emotional, or property damages, our team is committed to helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt because another skier behaved recklessly, or a resort failed to keep its terrain safe, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. From managing medical bills to navigating insurance disputes, our team is here to advocate for your recovery and navigate your personal injury claim every step of the way.
Contact Bowman Law Firm for a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue justice after a ski-related injury.
Owner and Managing Attorney
Jerry Bowman, J.D., M.A., Owner and managing attorney of Bowman Law LLC, takes his responsibility to the legal profession seriously and dedicates his time and effort to providing quality and competent legal representation to clients in Denver and throughout all of Colorado. He holds an MA in Political Science from Wayne State University and earned his law degree in two and a half years from Michigan State University College of Law.
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