Snowboarding and Skiing Accidents

Maryland, Virginia, & Washington, DC

Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter recreational activities with many enthusiasts participating at both amateur and professional levels in winter competitions. But, as with so many other sports, there are some very serious dangers involved in skiing and snowboarding. Because of the speeds at which skiers and snowboarders travel (and the sometimes rough terrain along the way), injuries sustained in ski and snowboard accidents can be quite serious.

It is estimated that approximately 165,000 people are seriously injured on ski slopes in the United States each year. The National Ski Association reports an estimated 40 people die annually from accidents on the slopes; approximately 40 others are paralyzed. Ski-related injuries exceed $250 million in medical bills in the United States every year.

Known Risks of the Slopes

Because of the severity of the personal injuries that can occur in ski and snow board accidents, personal injury attorneys represent victims seeking several hundreds of thousands of dollars (or even millions) in compensation due to the damages incurred in a ski accident. However, many states have enacted legislation that dramatically limits the amount of recovery injured skiers may receive in a personal injury lawsuit.

Of course, statutes do vary from state, but the experienced personal injury attorneys at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., serving Virginia, Maryland and the DC area have decades of experience and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve following the trauma of a ski accident.

Because skiing is viewed by many as an inherently dangerous sport, those who take part in snowboarding and skiing are well aware of the obvious dangers. Even under restrictive standards, however, skiers can recover damages for non-obvious dangers on the slopes such as unmarked obstacles on trails such as:

Tree branches
Rocks
Dirt patches
General debris

Common causes of ski/snow board accidents and injuries:

Downhill collision with an unmarked obstacle
Downhill collision with a marked obstacle or grooming equipment
Downhill collision with another skier or snowboarder
Ski lift falls
Avalanches (typically considered inherent risks or "acts of God")

Ski operators are responsible for the maintenance and function of all ski lift and grooming equipment. Ski patrol staff members are responsible for the general safety of skiers and protecting rule-abiding skiers from those who are reckless and dangerous to others.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury or has been killed in a skiing or snowboarding accident in Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia or anywhere, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation.

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