A perfect day on the slopes in Steamboat Springs can change without warning. The crisp mountain air, the beautiful scenery, and the thrill of the descent can be shattered by a collision with a reckless skier or snowboarder. When someone else’s carelessness causes a serious injury, you’re left with more than physical pain. You’re also dealing with medical appointments, mounting bills, and uncertainty about the future.

If you are healing from an injury caused by another person on the mountain, you might be wondering what damages can be recovered after a ski accident. While every situation is unique, here are some general principles of what a personal injury claim can address after a ski accident in Colorado.

Get the compensation you deserve — contact a skilled ski accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

 

Key Takeaways for Recoverable Damages After a Ski Accident

• Individuals injured in a ski accident due to another’s negligence may be able to recover compensation, known as damages.
• Damages are typically categorized into economic losses, which are tangible financial costs, and non-economic losses, which relate to the human impact of the injury.
• Economic damages can include all related medical expenses, lost income from being unable to work, and diminished future earning potential.
• Non-economic damages cover aspects like physical pain, emotional suffering, and a reduced quality of life resulting from the accident.
• The Colorado Skier Safety Act outlines specific duties and responsibilities for skiers, which can be a factor in determining fault.

Understanding Fault in a Colorado Ski Accident

Before we talk about damages, it’s important to understand how responsibility is determined in a ski collision. In Colorado, the law recognizes that skiing has inherent risks. However, this does not mean that anything goes on the mountain. The Colorado Skier Safety Act outlines the duties and responsibilities of every person on the slopes.

One of the most important rules in this act is that the uphill skier has a duty to avoid the skier below them. When someone violates this or another rule of conduct and causes an injury through their carelessness, they can be held responsible. This carelessness is a legal concept called “negligence.” A successful personal injury claim is built on showing that another party was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries and subsequent losses.

 

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Ski Accident? The Three Main Categories

In the legal world, “damages” is the term used for the money awarded to an injured person to compensate them for the harm they have suffered. The goal of seeking damages is to help make you “whole” again, at least from a financial standpoint, after an accident that was not your fault.

There are generally three types of damages that may be available in a personal injury case:

• Economic Damages: These cover the direct financial losses you have incurred because of the accident.
• Non-Economic Damages: This category addresses the personal, non-financial ways the injury has impacted your life.
• Punitive Damages: These are rare and are meant to punish the at-fault party for extremely reckless behavior.

Let’s explore the first two categories, which are the most common in ski accident claims.

 

Economic Damages: The Tangible Financial Losses

Economic damages are the most straightforward because they have a clear paper trail. They are intended to reimburse you for every dollar you have lost or had to spend as a direct result of your injury. It’s crucial to keep detailed records of all these costs as you go through your recovery.

Common types of economic damages include:

• Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency response on the mountain and ambulance ride to hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and prescription medications.
• Future Medical Care: Serious injuries often require long-term treatment. You can seek compensation for anticipated future costs like physical therapy, rehabilitation, additional surgeries, or chronic pain management.
• Lost Wages or Income: If your injury forces you to miss work, you can recover the income you lost during that time.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injury results in a long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you may be compensated for the income you will lose over your lifetime.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This can include costs for medical equipment like crutches or a wheelchair, modifications to your home or vehicle, or even travel expenses for getting to and from medical appointments.

Keeping a detailed file of every bill, receipt, and pay stub is one of the most helpful things you can do to support your claim for these tangible losses.

 

Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Human Cost

Not all harm can be measured by a receipt. Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for the profound, personal suffering that an injury causes. While no amount of money can erase pain, these damages acknowledge the real and significant human cost of an accident.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain, discomfort, and general suffering you have endured because of the injury, both at the time of the accident and ongoing.
• Emotional Distress: An accident can cause significant mental and emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This is a major factor for active people who live in and visit places like the Yampa Valley. If your injury prevents you from skiing, hiking, biking, or participating in hobbies and activities you once loved, you can be compensated for that loss.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation can be sought for the physical and emotional impact of permanent scars or other visible signs of your injury.

These losses are deeply personal, and a compassionate legal advocate can help you tell the story of how the accident has truly affected your life beyond just the financial costs.

 

The Role of Insurance Companies in Ski Accident Claims

Many people are surprised to learn that a ski accident claim is often made against the at-fault person’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. These policies typically include liability coverage that applies to incidents happening away from their home.

It is important to remember that the insurance adjuster assigned to the case works for the insurance company, not for you. Their primary goal is to protect their company’s bottom line by minimizing the amount paid out on a claim. They may contact you shortly after the accident and seem very friendly, but they may also ask for a recorded statement or make a quick settlement offer. It is often wise to be cautious, as these early offers rarely account for the full, long-term cost of a serious injury.

 

FAQ for What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Ski Accident

Here are some answers to common questions people have after being injured on the slopes.

Contact a Steamboat Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Recovering from a serious ski accident is a difficult journey. You deserve to focus on your healing without the added stress of fighting with an insurance company. The team at Brown Law Firm is committed to helping accident survivors in Steamboat Springs and across Colorado seek the accountability and financial resources they need to move forward.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens you are facing. Let us handle the legal details so you can concentrate on getting back on your feet. Your consultation is free, and there is no obligation. You pay no fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Contact us today at (970) 871-7400 or through our online form to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.