Colorado Ski & Snowboard Accident
Lawyers
Serving Steamboat Springs
When you’re injured on the slopes of Steamboat Springs, you need attorneys who understand both Colorado ski law and the unique mountain community you call home. For more than 35 years, Eddington Law has been fighting for skiers and snowboarders injured at Colorado’s premier ski resorts. With our office right here in Steamboat Springs, we’re not just your lawyers—we’re your neighbors.
Winter sports accidents can happen in an instant, but their impact can last a lifetime. Whether you’ve been injured in a collision with another skier, hurt on a chairlift, or involved in any other skiing or snowboarding accident at Steamboat Resort or surrounding areas, our experienced team knows how to navigate the complex intersection of Colorado ski law, insurance claims, and personal injury litigation.
We understand what makes Steamboat Springs special. We know the mountain, we know the community, and we know the law. When you’re facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the uncertainty of recovery, you deserve attorneys who will fight as hard for your family as you’d fight for theirs.
Why Eddington Law for Your Steamboat Springs Ski Accident Case?
Local Steamboat Springs Presence, Statewide Resources
Our Steamboat Springs office gives us intimate knowledge of the local ski community, Steamboat Resort operations, and the unique challenges facing winter sports accident victims in Routt County. But we also bring the resources of a firm with over 35 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases throughout Colorado.
When you work with Eddington Law, you get:
Immediate Local Response: With our office in Steamboat Springs, we can meet with you quickly, visit accident scenes while evidence is fresh, and respond to your needs without the delays that come from working with a Denver-based firm trying to handle your case remotely.
Deep Understanding of Ski Law: Colorado’s Ski Safety Act creates unique legal challenges for ski accident victims. We’ve spent decades mastering this complex area of law, and we know how to build cases that overcome the statutory protections ski resorts hide behind.
Experience with Insurance Companies: Whether you’re dealing with your own insurance company, another skier’s homeowner’s policy, or trying to hold Steamboat Resort accountable, we know the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts—and we know how to fight back.
Resources to Take On Anyone: From individual skiers to major corporations operating ski resorts, we have the financial resources and legal expertise to take your case as far as it needs to go. We’ve successfully represented clients in complex litigation against well-funded opponents, and we’re not intimidated by anyone.
We Only Get Paid When You Do
At Eddington Law, we handle all ski and snowboard accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket costs. We cover all the expenses of investigating and building your case, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
This approach accomplishes two important things: First, it gives you access to experienced legal representation regardless of your financial situation. Second, it aligns our interests completely with yours—we only succeed when you do.
Family Values, Fierce Advocacy
We’re a family-oriented law firm that treats every client like family. That doesn’t mean we’re soft—it means we fight for you the way we’d fight for our own loved ones. When insurance companies try to minimize your injuries or blame you for your accident, we push back hard. When ski resorts hide behind legal protections, we know how to find accountability. When you’re facing the biggest challenge of your life, we’re the advocates you want in your corner.
Common Ski and Snowboard Accidents We Handle in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is home to some of Colorado’s best skiing and snowboarding, but accidents can happen even at the most well-maintained resorts. Our attorneys have handled virtually every type of winter sports injury case imaginable, including:
Ski and Snowboard Collisions
Collisions between skiers and snowboarders are among the most common—and most dangerous—accidents on Colorado slopes. These crashes can result in catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries.
Colorado law requires all skiers and snowboarders to ski in control and in a manner that doesn’t endanger others. The uphill skier or snowboarder is generally responsible for avoiding those below them. When another person’s reckless skiing or snowboarding causes your injuries, we hold them accountable through their homeowner’s insurance or direct legal action.
Chairlift Accidents
Chairlift accidents can occur during loading, unloading, or during the ride itself. These accidents might involve mechanical failures, operator negligence, sudden stops that cause passengers to fall, or being struck by lift equipment. Lift accidents often result in serious injuries including falls from significant heights, crushing injuries, or impact trauma.
When chairlift accidents occur due to mechanical failure, improper maintenance, or operator error, ski resorts may be held liable despite the protections of Colorado’s Ski Safety Act.
Terrain Park Injuries
Steamboat’s terrain parks offer exciting features for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but they also present serious risks. Injuries can result from improperly maintained features, inadequate warnings, poor design, or collisions with other park users.
While terrain parks involve inherent risks, resorts still have responsibilities to maintain features properly, provide adequate warnings, and ensure features are built to industry standards. When they fail in these duties, injured riders may have valid claims.
Equipment Failures and Rental Gear Issues
Defective ski or snowboard equipment can cause serious accidents. Whether it’s bindings that fail to release properly, rental equipment that wasn’t properly fitted or maintained, or defective gear that breaks during use, equipment failures can lead to devastating injuries.
These cases may involve claims against rental shops, equipment manufacturers, or ski resorts that provided faulty gear. Our team has the expertise to investigate equipment failures and identify all potentially liable parties.
Trail Hazards and Inadequate Warnings
While Colorado law protects ski areas from liability for many natural hazards, resorts can still be held accountable when they fail to warn of known dangers, leave man-made hazards on trails, or fail to properly mark closed or dangerous areas.
We carefully analyze whether resorts met their legal obligations regarding trail maintenance, hazard marking, and skier warnings.
Common Ski and Snowboard Accidents We Handle in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is home to some of Colorado’s best skiing and snowboarding, but accidents can happen even at the most well-maintained resorts. Our attorneys have handled virtually every type of winter sports injury case imaginable, including:
Ski and Snowboard Collisions
Collisions between skiers and snowboarders are among the most common—and most dangerous—accidents on Colorado slopes. These crashes can result in catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries.
Colorado law requires all skiers and snowboarders to ski in control and in a manner that doesn’t endanger others. The uphill skier or snowboarder is generally responsible for avoiding those below them. When another person’s reckless skiing or snowboarding causes your injuries, we hold them accountable through their homeowner’s insurance or direct legal action.
Chairlift Accidents
Chairlift accidents can occur during loading, unloading, or during the ride itself. These accidents might involve mechanical failures, operator negligence, sudden stops that cause passengers to fall, or being struck by lift equipment. Lift accidents often result in serious injuries including falls from significant heights, crushing injuries, or impact trauma.
When chairlift accidents occur due to mechanical failure, improper maintenance, or operator error, ski resorts may be held liable despite the protections of Colorado’s Ski Safety Act.
Terrain Park Injuries
Steamboat’s terrain parks offer exciting features for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but they also present serious risks. Injuries can result from improperly maintained features, inadequate warnings, poor design, or collisions with other park users.
While terrain parks involve inherent risks, resorts still have responsibilities to maintain features properly, provide adequate warnings, and ensure features are built to industry standards. When they fail in these duties, injured riders may have valid claims.
Equipment Failures and Rental Gear Issues
Defective ski or snowboard equipment can cause serious accidents. Whether it’s bindings that fail to release properly, rental equipment that wasn’t properly fitted or maintained, or defective gear that breaks during use, equipment failures can lead to devastating injuries.
These cases may involve claims against rental shops, equipment manufacturers, or ski resorts that provided faulty gear. Our team has the expertise to investigate equipment failures and identify all potentially liable parties.
Trail Hazards and Inadequate Warnings
While Colorado law protects ski areas from liability for many natural hazards, resorts can still be held accountable when they fail to warn of known dangers, leave man-made hazards on trails, or fail to properly mark closed or dangerous areas.
We carefully analyze whether resorts met their legal obligations regarding trail maintenance, hazard marking, and skier warnings.
Understanding Colorado's Ski Safety Act
Colorado’s Ski Safety Act is one of the most significant legal hurdles facing ski accident victims. Passed in 1979 and amended several times since, this law provides substantial protections to ski areas by limiting their liability for injuries that result from “inherent risks” of skiing.
What the Ski Safety Act Means for Your Case
The Ski Safety Act defines “inherent dangers and risks of skiing” broadly to include things like:
- Changing weather and visibility conditions
- Variations in terrain, snow, and ice conditions
- Bare spots, rocks, trees, and other natural objects
- Collisions with lift towers, signs, or other structures
- Variations in steepness or terrain
The law requires ski areas to post warnings about these inherent risks and largely protects them from liability when injuries result from such risks. This might seem to make it impossible to hold ski resorts accountable, but that’s not the case.
When Ski Resorts Can Still Be Held Liable
The Ski Safety Act does not protect ski areas from liability for their own negligence in several important areas:
Lift Operations: Ski areas must properly maintain and operate their lift systems. When mechanical failures, operator errors, or inadequate maintenance cause injuries, the resort can be held liable.
Trail Grooming: While resorts aren’t liable for natural conditions, they can be held accountable for dangers they create through improper grooming or leaving man-made hazards on trails.
Known Hazards: Resorts must mark and warn of known hazards. When they fail to do so, they may be liable for resulting injuries.
Man-Made Features: Terrain parks, rails, and other man-made features must be properly designed, maintained, and supervised. Defects in these features can create liability.
Violations of Industry Standards: When ski areas fail to follow industry best practices or their own policies, they may be liable for resulting injuries.
Our attorneys have extensive experience analyzing ski accident cases under Colorado’s Ski Safety Act. We know how to identify exceptions to the Act’s protections and build strong cases for our clients.
Skier Responsibility and Fault in Collision Cases
When your accident involves a collision with another skier or snowboarder, Colorado’s “Skier Responsibility Code” becomes critically important. This code, which is part of Colorado law, establishes basic safety rules that all skiers and snowboarders must follow.
The Colorado Skier Responsibility Code
Key provisions of the Skier Responsibility Code include:
The Uphill Skier Rule: The most important rule in collision cases is that the uphill skier or snowboarder is responsible for avoiding those below them. If you’re hit from behind or from uphill, there’s a strong presumption that the other party was at fault.
Skiing in Control: All skiers must ski in control and in a manner that allows them to avoid other skiers and objects. When someone is skiing too fast for conditions or their ability level, they violate this rule.
Looking Uphill Before Starting: Before starting downhill or merging onto a trail, skiers must look uphill and yield to other skiers. Violations of this rule often cause serious collisions.
Not Stopping in Dangerous Locations: Skiers should not stop where they obstruct a trail or are not visible from above. While this doesn’t excuse uphill skiers from their duty to avoid stopped skiers, it can become a factor in fault determination.
Proving Fault in Ski Collision Cases
Establishing fault in ski collision cases requires careful investigation and evidence gathering. Our attorneys work quickly to:
- Interview witnesses who saw the collision
- Photograph the accident scene and conditions
- Obtain any available video footage from helmet cameras, ski patrol, or resort cameras
- Review ski patrol reports and incident documentation
- Consult with expert witnesses when needed
- Analyze weather and snow conditions at the time of the accident
In many cases, the at-fault skier’s homeowner’s insurance policy will provide coverage for your injuries. We handle all communications with insurance companies and fight to secure full compensation for your injuries.
Types of Injuries We See in Steamboat Springs Ski Accidents
Ski and snowboard accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor to catastrophic and life-altering. Our firm has represented clients with virtually every type of winter sports injury, including:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries are alarmingly common in ski accidents, even when helmets are worn. Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage requiring long-term care. These injuries often have delayed symptoms and long-term consequences that may not be immediately apparent.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord damage from ski accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis. These catastrophic injuries require immediate emergency care and often result in permanent disability requiring lifetime medical treatment and personal care.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Fractured legs, arms, wrists, collarbones, and ribs are common in ski accidents. While some fractures heal with conservative treatment, others require surgery, hardware implantation, and extensive rehabilitation. Complications like non-union or malunion can lead to permanent impairment.
Knee Injuries
ACL tears, MCL sprains, meniscus damage, and other knee injuries are particularly common among skiers and snowboarders. These injuries often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, and they may lead to early-onset arthritis and long-term pain.
Shoulder Injuries
Rotator cuff tears, separated shoulders, and dislocated shoulders frequently occur in skiing and snowboarding accidents. These injuries can be particularly debilitating and may require surgery to repair.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from collisions or falls can cause internal injuries including internal bleeding, organ damage, and internal bruising. These injuries are medical emergencies that require immediate treatment.
What Your Ski Accident Case May Be Worth
Every ski accident case is unique, and the value of your case depends on the specific facts and circumstances of your injuries. However, in general, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
Medical Expenses: All past and future medical treatment related to your injuries, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment.
Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work during your recovery, including both past lost income and future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment.
Property Damage: Replacement or repair of damaged ski equipment, clothing, and personal property.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, both past and ongoing.
Emotional Distress: Recognition of the psychological impact of your accident and injuries, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement resulting from your injuries.
Loss of Consortium: In serious injury cases, your spouse may have a claim for loss of companionship and intimacy.
The insurance companies and defendants will try to minimize the value of your case. Our job is to document every way your injuries have impacted your life and fight for full and fair compensation.
Time Limits for Filing Ski Accident Claims in Colorado
Colorado law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. For most ski accident cases, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be. Additionally, evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate as time passes.
That’s why it’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner we can begin investigating your case and preserving evidence, the stronger your claim will be.
Some exceptions may extend or shorten these deadlines in specific circumstances, such as:
- Cases involving minors
- Cases against government entities
- Cases where injuries weren’t immediately discoverable
Don’t risk losing your right to compensation by waiting. Contact Eddington Law today for a free consultation about your ski accident case.
What to Do After a Ski or Snowboard Accident in Steamboat Springs
The steps you take immediately after a ski accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. If you’ve been injured in a skiing or snowboarding accident, follow these important steps:
Get Medical Attention
Your health and safety are the top priority. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, get evaluated by ski patrol and seek medical attention. Some serious injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not have immediate symptoms.
Report the Accident
Make sure the accident is reported to ski patrol. Ask for a copy of the accident report or at least get the report number. This official documentation can be crucial evidence in your case.
Gather Information
If you’re able, collect information at the scene:
- Names and contact information of the other party or parties involved
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Photos of the accident scene, trail conditions, and your injuries
- Names of responding ski patrol members
- Location of the accident (trail name, approximate location on trail)
Preserve Evidence
Keep your ski equipment and gear exactly as it was at the time of the accident. Don’t have equipment repaired or adjusted until it can be examined as part of your case. Take photos of all equipment.
Document Your Injuries
Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, take photos of visible injuries, and maintain a journal documenting your pain, symptoms, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
Don’t Give Statements to Insurance Companies
Before you speak with any insurance company (other than reporting the basic facts to your own insurance), talk to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to get statements they can use to minimize or deny your claim.
Contact Eddington Law
Call our Steamboat Springs office as soon as possible. We offer free consultations, and there’s no obligation. We can review your case, explain your legal options, and begin protecting your rights immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steamboat Springs Ski Accidents
Can I sue Steamboat Resort for my ski accident injuries?
It depends on the circumstances of your accident. While Colorado’s Ski Safety Act protects ski resorts from liability for many types of injuries, resorts can still be held accountable for negligence in areas like lift operations, trail grooming, failure to warn of known hazards, and improperly maintained terrain features. Our attorneys can evaluate your specific case and determine if the resort may be liable.
What if the other skier who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
Many people don’t realize that homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies typically cover ski accidents. Even if the at-fault skier doesn’t have their own ski insurance, their homeowner’s policy may provide coverage for injuries they cause while skiing. We help identify all available insurance coverage.
How long do I have to file a ski accident lawsuit in Colorado?
Generally, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado. However, some exceptions may apply, and it’s important to consult with an attorney well before this deadline. Starting your case early allows for better evidence preservation and investigation.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Colorado follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident, as long as you were less than 50% responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, you could recover $80,000.
Will my case go to trial?
Most ski accident cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready to fight for you in court if necessary. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of settlement versus trial as your case progresses.
How much does it cost to hire Eddington Law?
Nothing upfront. We handle all ski and snowboard accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We pay all costs of investigating and building your case, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There’s no risk to you, and you have nothing to lose by contacting us for a free consultation.
What if my accident happened at a different ski resort, not Steamboat?
We handle ski and snowboard accident cases throughout Colorado, including at all major ski resorts. While we’re based in Steamboat Springs, we represent clients injured at Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Keystone, and ski areas throughout the state.
Our Steamboat Springs Office
Located in the heart of Steamboat Springs, our office serves winter sports accident victims throughout Routt County and beyond. We understand the unique needs of mountain communities and ski resort injury victims.
When you work with our Steamboat Springs office, you get the personal attention of a local firm combined with the resources and experience of attorneys who have been handling complex ski accident cases throughout Colorado for more than 35 years.
We’re active members of the Steamboat Springs community. We’re not just lawyers who fly in to handle cases—we live here, we ski here, and we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors.
Contact Our Steamboat Springs Ski Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a ski or snowboard accident in Steamboat Springs or anywhere in Colorado, contact Eddington Law today. We offer free consultations with no obligation, and we’re available to meet with you at our Steamboat Springs office or at a location that’s convenient for you.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Evidence disappears, deadlines approach, and insurance companies start building their defense from day one. The sooner you contact us, the better we can serve you.
Call our Steamboat Springs office at (970) 870-9870 or our Denver office at (303) 815-1585. You can also contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
With over 35 years of experience fighting for injured Coloradans, Eddington Law has the knowledge, resources, and commitment to help you get the compensation you deserve. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Eddington Law
Steamboat Springs Office
1205 Hilltop Pkwy, Suite 101,
Steamboat Springs, C0 80487
(970) 870-9870
Denver Office
1391 N Speer Blvd #350,
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 815-1585
Free Consultations | No Fees Unless We Win | Over 35 Years of Experience
