WYOMING SKI ACCIDENT CLAIMS

Ski accidents in Wyoming happen due to negligence, while others may be completely unavoidable. That said, some common causes of ski accident injuries include:

• Poor terrain
• Equipment malfunction
• Chair lift accidents
• Collisions with objects, skiers, and snowboarders

Ski accidents can lead to the following injuries:

• Lower back pain
• Internal bleeding
• Thumb fractures
• Head injuries
• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Knee injuries
• Fractured bones
• Ankle injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Shoulder injuries

Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit if injured in a skiing accident. However, it is important to note that Wyoming laws dictate that skiers understand the risk involved in this activity. As a result, it is much more difficult but not impossible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation after a ski accident in this state.

You can file a lawsuit if you were injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, such as a ski resort, ski equipment manufacturer, etc.

Although Wyoming laws require that skiers fully understand the risks involved when participating in this sport, this should not be an excuse for negligence by the other party. For example, as a skier, you probably know this sport is risky and has a high chance of injury. So if you get injured due to normal reasons, you may not be able to file a lawsuit against the party that caused the injury.

On the other hand, you may be able to file a lawsuit if you get injured because of a piece of equipment the manufacturer poorly designed.

You can claim economic and non-economic damages if injured in a ski accident in Wyoming. That said, the exact damages you may be able to claim will depend on the specifics of your case.

In the past, plaintiffs have been able to recover economic damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Ambulance fees
• Cost of medical equipment, hospitalization, and long-term care

Non-economic damages that could apply in such a lawsuit include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

You do not necessarily need an attorney to file a ski accident lawsuit. In fact, anyone can file such a lawsuit. However, if you are serious about winning and securing the compensation you deserve, working with an attorney is one of the best decisions you will make after such an injury.

An experienced ski accident attorney can help in many different ways, as discussed below.

The issue of liability is one of the most common challenges ski accident victims could potentially face when pursuing compensation for their injuries. Because Wyoming laws state that by deciding to participate in this sport, skiers are fully aware of the risks involved, the defense could use this clause in their favor when you bring a lawsuit against them.

When that happens, you will be responsible for proving that even though you were aware of the risks involved, the injuries could have been prevented had it not been for the defendant’s negligence. Again, a skilled ski accident attorney can help prove this element, increasing your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.

An experienced attorney can also assess your damages to get a clear picture of the kind of compensation you may be entitled to. These steps are crucial, especially if you suffered serious injuries. Because such attorneys understand how federal, state, and local laws work regarding these kinds of accidents, they can always find ways to maximize your claims. This ensures you receive the kind of compensation that covers not only your current situation but also the future.

By now, you probably understand how difficult it is to pursue a ski accident injury claim. It is even more difficult if you do not have a legal strategy. That is where a competent attorney comes in. The attorney will review the specifics of your case and help devise a legal strategy to increase your chances of winning.

Yes, you can. The good news is that Wyoming uses the modified comparative negligence legal doctrine, specifically the 51% rule. This legal concept allows plaintiffs to recover damages just as long as they are only 50% or less at fault for the accident. Therefore, all your attorney needs to do is prove that the defendant was more negligent, causing the accident.

Some skiing resorts might require you to sign a waiver when you go skiing on their property or when renting skiing equipment from them. However, signing a waiver does not necessarily prevent you from fighting for your rights. In fact, some businesses use waivers to brainwash their customers into thinking they are immune to lawsuits.

On the contrary, you may still be able to take legal action even after signing a waiver. Contact an experienced ski injury attorney to learn more about your options.

Since Wyoming is a popular destination for skiers from all over the country, you should not be surprised if you encounter numerous law firms, attorneys, or even insurance companies that target ski lovers. However, do not rush into contacting any attorney or law firm that shows up in your search results. Rather, you will need to conduct some additional research.

Some of the qualities of a good ski accident injury attorney include:

Experience

Opt for an attorney with experience handling personal injury cases. It is even better if you find an attorney specializing in Wyoming ski accidents.

Reputation

Choose a firm or attorney with a great reputation. If possible, read their reviews from past clients to find out more about what to expect when you hire that particular attorney.

Resources

You need a lawyer with access to powerful legal resources. Some examples of such resources include paralegals, expert witnesses, legal technology, investigators, etc. When an attorney has access to powerful resources, they will likely build a strong case on your behalf. This can also help you maximize your claim.

Results

If the attorney claims to have handled similar cases before or anything along those lines, ask them to cite their results as evidence. For example, at Morgan & Morgan, we have won more than $30 billion as compensation for our clients in different injury cases.

If the lawyer is not used to winning such huge settlements, chances are they will settle for anything on the table.

Local-Based

Thanks to the internet, many attorneys and law firms claim to serve areas they have never set foot. It can be quite frustrating working with such an attorney or law firm because, chances are, they do not understand the local regulations regarding skiing. In addition, although they may be able to research these regulations, they may not understand the local terrain.

On the other hand, working with a local-based attorney is convenient and gives you peace of mind knowing that they understand the local terrain. This information could be all you need to win a case. For example, if you got injured due to a missing sign, an out-of-state attorney might not be able to travel to the accident site to gather the facts about the injury.

Keep in mind that the first few days or hours after the accident are crucial. You need to collect evidence as soon as possible or risk losing the case. Evidence such as skid marks could be all you need to win the case. But an attorney located out of state might not have the time or resources to fly all the way to Wyoming to examine these facts.

Most ski accident lawyers charge their clients on a contingency basis. This payment system allows the attorneys to work on the case without any upfront payment from the plaintiff and then deduct a small portion from the settlement to cover legal fees if they win.

Suppose you or your loved one has been injured while skiing; you may be able to claim compensation if the injury occurred due to someone else’s negligence. Because these cases are complex, you should not travel this journey alone.

Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.