A man in Windsor was recently paralyzed after a skiing accident. The accident in question occurred when the man crashed into a fence at the Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort located in Clarkston. The man experienced 13 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and permanent damage due to the accident. After being transported to a nearby medical facility, the man spent several days in the intensive care unit. In addition to these serious medical conditions, the man also faces expensive medical bills.
Many people enjoy extreme recreational activities all year round. When skiing trips turn into accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities, however, it can be important to obtain seasoned legal counsel.
How Ski Accidents Occur
There are many dangerous elements involved with skiing, which can result in a number of accidents. Some of the most common ways in which skiing accidents occur include the following:
- Defective Ski Equipment: Sometimes skiers are injured because their equipment is defective. For example, helmets are poorly designed, release blinds fail, or other equipment fails to operate as intended.
- Collisions: These accidents occur when one person who is skiing collides with another on a slope. In other cases, a person who is skiing can collide into an improperly marked object. In both cases, serious injuries and fatalities can occur.
- Negligence: Many ski areas are protected from personal injury legal actions due to the “inherent risk” doctrines that state that a person assumes the dangers associated with skiing. If a person is harmed by dangers that were not inherent, however, that individual might still be able to initiate a cause of action. Some of the situations that fall outside of the inherent risk doctrine include chairlifts that malfunction and cause injuries, ski instructors who act recklessly while instructing others on the slopes, and snow machines that are improperly stored or parked.
- Ski Equipment Failures: The most common type of ski equipment failures involve ski boot release bindings that do not release when they are supposed to, which can lead to falls and collisions.
- Ski Lift Accidents: Due to manufacturing flaws or poor maintenance, ski lifts can malfunction. In other situations, careless ski operators can neglect their duties, which can result in fatalities and injuries. In some situations, ski lift operators can even fail to perform their duties altogether, which can result in serious injuries.
Some of the most common injuries associated with ski accidents include broken lower legs, damage to internal organs, fractures, knee injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic head injuries. There is an applicable statute of limitations that provides an accident victim with a short amount of time in which to pursue a ski claim.
As a result, if you have been harmed by a ski accident, do not hesitate to contact the legal counsel at Jay Trucks PLC for a free case evaluation. Our experienced Flint personal injury lawyers have helped many individuals who have been harmed in similar ways. Ph: (989) 601-2554
