What do you do if someone injures you on the slopes?

Winter is here, and this means one thing. Aviemore, Harmondsworth, Highlands, and other top destinations for skiers are getting close to welcoming you on their action-packed slopes! And hopefully, to make the most of your vacation there, you’ll equip yourself with your skiing gear and use the right slopes based on your experience level, play attentively to not get involved in accidents, and know the aftermaths and what you should do in the event of a misfortunate mishap. Because yes, even the most experienced skiers can have difficulties executing icy turns or stopping on hard-packed snow. 

No matter if you’re on blue, red, or black ramps, the truth is that risks are everywhere and can surface from various factors associated with the slope’s upkeep, whether it’s poor snow quality, lift mishaps, exposed rocks, terrain hazards, and so on. In such situations, the management is most likely at fault. However, instances and causes of accidents don’t stop here. For this reason, we want to make sure you know what’s to be done as soon as you go through such an ill-fated event. Let’s commence, shall we?

Get evidence

While reaching out to witnesses for their testimonies instead of physical help may not be your first natural reaction, gathering as much proof as possible may help you greatly down the road (or, by case, slope). If this isn’t possible, maybe you can try to appoint a relative or friend to do that for you. Things as little as contact details and names of those present at the accident scene are great and help if you sue anyone for breaching their duty of care and risking your safety and health. Remember to secure some pictures or videos of the setting of the mishap and the injuries incurred. These may not only come in helpful but also help ensure your compensation – or a higher one, for that matter.

When feasible, write down the course of the event and what promoted your accident and injuries with as many details as possible, mentioning things like weather conditions, signage, visibility, snow control, and so on. If you have records of visits to clinics, doctors, hospitals, and other similar medical institutions, as well as pharmacy bills, keeping hold of them may prove and help reimburse accident-related expenses.

Notify authorities

Incidents like accidents on the slopes are to be logged thoroughly with the competent authorities, like the local police and the location’s services, all the more if you’ll seek compensation from someone. Most of the times when a victim comes out on top of a lawsuit, it’s the piste services or ski patrol that failed to protect the slope users at all costs. 

Other times, when a coveted company outing is a reason why you’re at the ski resort, and you sustain injuries due to an accident on the slope, the accountable party maybe even your employer themselves in some circumstances. According to experts at www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/, numerous factors exist that determine whether a boss can be held liable for an employee’s accident on the slopes or during another company-related hangout, many coming down to whether reckless behaviour existed, if the jaunt occurred during or outside working hours, and so on. 

Be careful who you share words and details with

Ensure you offer all the necessary details to those who can use them in your favour, such as your claim solicitor or attorney. Even those that may seem irrelevant to you may work in your favour at the end of the day. If you’re travelling on a package holiday, inform the resort representatives or organizers as soon as possible, getting witnesses or proof with you for credibility. Additionally, you should contact the travel insurance provider, who may help you with pertinent advice on your legal position and medical matters. 

It’s essential, yet often underestimated by victims of duty-of-care violations, to hold off any communication until speaking with an experienced attorney or solicitor. Silence is priceless – it may help you steer clear of many potential pitfalls down the road. Assuming a party that should be held accountable for their recklessness works with a lawyer, the third-party may seek ways to put down you suffering and statements, case in which things like remorseful behavior or admitting you bear part of the guilt may be to your disadvantage. 

When confusion, anxiety, and tension hit and you can barely determine what’s the immediate right course of action, remember that consulting a specialist working in this segment of law is among the best things you can do. Hurrying to alert authorities is the right thing to do, but when it comes to offering details, you should think twice whether the individual ahead you means well or not. 

Know what to expect if you call 

Suppose you’re alone and would instead call the authorities yourself. When you reach out to the emergency services, a specific process is followed to streamline the operations. Offer your first and last name, details about your location’s site, and the number where they can call you back. Afterwards, provide insights on the emergency you called for and the indications, like missed turn, hit a tree, clashed gear, and so on. 

Are you too agitated to think of all these tensioning things? Don’t fret. Those taking and working with emergency demands are trained to address more challenging situations and ask for information in a way that facilitates victims’ cooperation. Just try to keep your cool and remember that help will show up! 

Last words 

With an array of exciting slopes of all levels and for all tastes, not leveraging this time of the year for a sensational hit would be a pity. Hopefully, you’ll have a lot of fun and no daunting incidents! And if you know someone who may need help handling and addressing a slope accident, you’ll be prepped with useful info! Have fun and stay safe!