Everyone has seen at least one video of a devastating ski accident. While skiing is a recreational activity enjoyed by many during the cooler months of the year, this thrilling sport can be incredibly dangerous in the wrong conditions. If you were injured in a ski crash where another party was at fault, an experienced Colorado ski injury attorney can help.
At the Zinda Law Group, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers in Colorado has secured over $210 million for our clients. Serving accident victims for over 15 years, we know what it takes to secure a favorable outcome in these types of cases. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team.
Steps a Colorado Ski Accident Attorney Will Take on Your Behalf
After you hire a ski accident lawyer to help you recover compensation from the party liable for your damages, there are a variety of actions they will take to ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Typically, this will begin with your attorney investigating your case to collect evidence and establish the liability of another party.
The next step will be for your lawyer to review the losses you suffered and calculate how much your personal injury claim is worth. Your attorney will then proceed to submit the paperwork required for an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
While preparing for a potential trial in court, your lawyer will also be engaged in negotiations with opposing counsel as they work to reach a settlement deal. In most cases, ski accident lawsuits are settled out of court. However, the team at the Zinda Law Group is always ready and willing to take your case to court should the need arise.
File Your Ski Accident Lawsuit Before Time Expires
It is critical to take note of the filing deadline when pursuing damages after a ski accident. In Colorado, the personal injury statute of limitations allows two years for accident victims to pursue a lawsuit in most cases. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the deadline, you will likely be out of options for recovering damages.
However, it’s essential to understand that the deadline for filing is somewhat fluid. If special circumstances apply to your case, you may be able to submit your lawsuit long past the usual deadline. Alternatively, you could find yourself facing a significantly smaller filing window than usual.
To avoid being surprised by a deadline you didn’t see coming, speaking with an experienced ski accident attorney in Colorado can be critical. Your lawyer will review your case, determine the exact deadline that applies, and file all the necessary paperwork long before time runs out.
Damages You Can Pursue Following a Ski Accident
Following a ski accident resulting from another party’s actions, you will likely be able to claim several types of damages. It’s critical to remember that every ski accident case is different. Thus, the damages that apply are determined on a case-by-case basis. Identifying all of the damage you are eligible to pursue is crucial for a full recovery of your losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are used to replace any losses you suffered that were financial in nature. The most commonly available economic damages in ski accident cases include:
- Medical expenses
- Projected future medical bills
- Lost income
- Decreased ability to earn income
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover all other types of losses that resulted from your accident. The most commonly available non-economic damages in ski accident cases include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Lessened quality of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely awarded in ski accident cases. For a judge to grant punitive damages, the liable party must have caused harm intentionally or been criminally negligent in their failure to prevent harm.
Punitive damages are not used to compensate an accident victim for their losses. Instead, the purpose of these damages is to punish the responsible party for causing the accident to occur.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Colorado
In Colorado, a modified comparative negligence rule is employed when determining fault after an accident. Under this rule, multiple parties can be assigned a level of liability. However, you can still pursue compensation while holding a level of fault as long as your share of the blame is below 50%.
Of course, the amount of money you can recover will be affected by your responsibility level. For example, if you are 20% to blame, the most you can recover is 80% of the full value of your claim. That means that if your case is worth $100,000, the most you could receive would be $80,000.
Get in Touch With an Experienced Ski Injury Accident Lawyer in Colorado Today
After suffering injuries in a ski accident, hiring an experienced attorney to help you recover the money you need and deserve is crucial. While you can technically pursue compensation on your own, the likelihood of securing a favorable outcome is low. You should keep in mind the fact that even lawyers typically hire other lawyers to help with their own legal battles.
At the Zinda Law Group, our team of ski injury accident lawyers in Colorado has a long history of winning big for our clients. Contact us today through our website or by phone to schedule your free case review with a member of our legal team.
