Where Can I Find the Best Ski Accident Lawyers in Nevada?

Skiing in the beautiful mountains in Nevada can be an exhilarating, fun, and thrilling experience. However, skiing can be a dangerous sport. Accidents can potentially result in catastrophic injury, astronomical medical bills, and income loss. Even the most careful and responsible skier depends on the conduct of others for their safety. Reckless skiers or a negligent ski report can contribute to tragic and avoidable accidents on the slope.

You could be entitled to damages such as wage losses, healthcare costs, and others if you got hurt. Moran & Morgan is here to help. Our Nevada ski accident lawyers can walk you through your legal options, determine your next best steps, and move forward with a claim. Contact us today for a free case review.

Nevada Ski Accidents 

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), on average, 40.6 people died annually due to skiing accidents between 2000-2010. Many more suffered serious injuries on the slopes. Injuries can happen in various ways, including due to skiers taking risks. However, in some cases, another party could be responsible for your damages. Injured skiers could file a lawsuit and recover compensation when an accident occurred due to:

• Faulty equipment such as malfunctioning ski lifts
• Lack of maintenance at the resort 
• Collision with a reckless skier
• Lack of training of resort staff
• Negligence of ski instructor
• Skiing equipment failure such as a boot not releasing in a fall

You could also claim compensation if your accident happened during a skiing lesson or if you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition on the resort property. Since there can be many circumstances where another individual or business could be responsible for your injuries, consider speaking to our Nevada ski accident lawyers to find out whether you have a case.

Common Injuries in Ski Accidents

Downhill skiing can doubtlessly cause significant and disabling injuries. Skiing is classified as a “high-risk sport,” with many standard travel insurance policies excluding coverage for skiing injuries. While perhaps all skiers are familiar with nursing minor injuries, such as a scrape, sprain, or strain, more severe injuries can require considerable medical intervention and costly ongoing care. Injuries in ski accidents can include: 

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Head injuries
• Neck and shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear or rupture 
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
• Wrist and ankle injuries

Significant damage to the knee joint can be particularly common in skiing accidents. Falls and collisions on the slopes can damage the ACL and MCL ligaments within the knee joint. While knee injuries are not necessarily life-threatening, they can be excruciatingly painful, require surgeries, and potentially result in permanently reduced mobility. 

A severe ski accident can change your entire life. However, if someone else was responsible, seeking legal advice as soon as possible can help you receive the compensation you need to pay your medical bills and move on with your life.

Your Best Next Steps After a Skiing Accident

Knowing what to do after a skiing accident can be vital for protecting your rights to adequate compensation. If you got hurt while skiing, consider taking the following steps:  

Alert Mountain Ski Patrol

Your first best step when getting hurt is typically alerting the ski patrol. Most ski resorts have an emergency number on resort maps, or you could ask other skiers and nearby resort employees to call the ski patrol. Ski patrol offers first aid and transportation for skiers, which can help you get to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible. Ski patrol also typically reports and documents accidents which can be vital evidence if you are looking to recover compensation.

Getting Medical Help 

Seeking medical attention is always recommended after a ski or snowboarding accident. A doctor can check for underlying injuries, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), that may not show immediate symptoms. A medical professional will also document the extent and severity of your injuries, which can be essential evidence for your damages. 

Documenting the Accident

Documenting the ski accident can be critical for recovering what you deserve. If possible, use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries, or ask other skiers to take pictures. You can also use the notepad on your phone to quickly jot down details of the accident and witnesses’ contact details. 

Contacting a Ski Accident Lawyer

If you experienced an avoidable accident and significant injury, someone else could be responsible for your medical bills and other losses. Contacting our ski accident lawyers in Nevada as soon as possible can be advantageous.  Our experienced and compassionate attorneys can:

• Investigate your ski accident
• Gather crucial evidence
• Determine all liable parties
• Build your case against the responsible party
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Represent you in court if necessary

Liability for Your Injuries and Damages

A ski accident can occur for various reasons and is not always the result of another’s negligence or recklessness. However, if another individual, business, or other entity caused your injuries, you could qualify for compensation. Liable parties could include:

• Tour operators
• Ski schools
• Ski instructors lacking training or qualifications
• A ski lift operator
• Management or owners of ski resorts
• Manufacturers of faulty resort equipment
• Manufacturers of defective skiing gear such as helmets or boots

Collisions With Other Skiers

A common reason for skiing accidents can be colliding with another skier or snowboarder on the slope. While not all collisions qualify for a lawsuit, you could potentially sue if the other person failed to ski safely, recklessly causing the collision and your injuries. 

Compensation You Could Receive After a Ski Accident  

Skiing injuries can cause significant financial difficulties for victims and their families. You may not only have steep medical bills to deal with but could also lose income with a prolonged recovery. If someone else is responsible for your accident, you could qualify for a range of damages, including: 

• Healthcare expenses and future medical costs
• Awards for emotional and physical pain and suffering 
• Wage losses and future loss of income
• Household assistance or a home health aide
• Modifications to your vehicle and home
• Medical devices
• Transport costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses 

Every ski accident is unique. What you could receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the facts of the accident. Our ski accident attorneys could assess your case and determine the approximate value of your damages.  

Tips for Finding the Best Ski Accident Lawyers in Nevada 

If you get hurt on the slopes, you will want to find an injury attorney who has experience with handling ski accident cases and knows how to fight for the best possible outcome of your case. Doing some homework to find a lawyer can pay off. Steps you can take to find the best Nevada ski accident attorneys include:

• Asking skiing friends and family for recommendations and referrals 
• Researching law firms and attorneys in Nevada online 
• Attending free consultations with several attorneys

Consultations With Potential Ski Accident Lawyers

Meeting an attorney personally before committing to hiring them can be essential. However, scheduling free first consultations can also help you in other ways. For example, an attorney can determine whether you have a case, and you can ask your most pressing questions. Good questions to ask at the case review include:

• Do I have a ski accident case?
• How long have you been practicing law in Nevada?
• What is your experience with ski accident cases?
• Have you handled cases similar to mine?
• Where can I find your client reviews or testimonials?
• Do I have to pay any out-of-pocket attorney’s fees?
• Will you or another attorney handle my case?
• What would be my involvement in a lawsuit?

Why Work With Morgan & Morgan’s Ski Accident Attorneys?

If you are looking to find the best ski accident lawyers in Nevada, Morgan & Morgan has your back. As the largest personal injury firm in the country, we can draw on the expertise of more than 800 attorneys countrywide. Our motivation is not only to win your case but to fight for full and fair compensation so you can put your life back together. We also want to hold defendants fully accountable to ensure they do not go on harming others. When you work with Morgan & Morgan, the fee is free. We only get paid if and when we win, and you receive a settlement check.