What You Should Know About Snowboarding Accidents
Skiing and snowboarding are thrilling activities that can add a little extra joy and excitement to our lives each year. Unfortunately, skiers and snowboarders are prone to frequent accidents and injuries. Here’s what you need to know about your legal options if you’ve been injured while participating in one of these winter sports, and when to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Skiing and Snowboarding Accidents and Injuries
Skiing and snowboarding accidents cause a variety of injuries ranging from less severe to more debilitating. The types of accidents responsible for most skiing and snowboarding injuries include falls and collisions with other people or objects. Accidents involving chair lifts, equipment failure or poor guidance from an instructor are also common causes of injuries.
Skiing and snowboarding injuries are unfortunately becoming more and more common as enthusiasts attempt trickier and riskier stunts. Snowboarding by itself is responsible for more injuries than all other outdoor activities. Relatively less serious injuries include wrist sprains or knee injuries, while more serious injuries can result in debilitating conditions and even death. According to a recent CDC study, children and adolescents are sadly the most at-risk participants, particularly for injuries resulting in traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
Skiing and Snowboarding Injury Lawsuits
As with other injury lawsuits, skiing and snowboarding lawsuits are based on someone’s negligence. Negligence refers to someone failing to provide a certain standard of care. In order to file your lawsuit, you will need to prove that someone’s negligence directly caused your accident and injuries.
In the case of skiing and snowboarding, you may be able to sue based on negligence if your injuries resulted from your instructor failing to provide you with accurate directions, the terrain on your slopes being inadequately marked or maintained or another person’s reckless behavior. Additionally, if defective equipment like a broken ski binding or chair lift caused your injuries, you may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit against the companies that manufactured, designed or distributed the product.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. Compensation comes in the form of a monetary award known as damages. The amount of your damages depends on your particular case, but it usually covers your medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering compensation.
When filing your personal injury case, the defense might raise the point of “assumption of risk.” Because skiing and snowboarding can be inherently dangerous activities, the defense may attempt to avoid providing you with appropriate compensation on the grounds that you assumed the risks when you chose to take part in the endeavor. This is where an experienced personal injury lawyer comes into play.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Represent You
Mitch Grissim & Associates has been representing clients in the Nashville, Tennessee area for over three decades. Contact us today about hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you and help you fight for your rightful compensation.
