There is no better way to spend the winter than skiing, and there is no better place to do it than eastern Washington. A light dusting of powdery snow is even more delightful when you are just close enough, but not too close, to the Rocky Mountains and just close enough, but not too close, to the Canadian border. Skiing can be just as relaxing and just as thrilling as you want it to be, but even when skiers use their best judgment about where and when to ski, accidents sometimes happen, and these can result in severe injury. Premises liability laws apply to some accidents that take place at ski resorts and on ski slopes. If you have been injured in a preventable accident while skiing, contact a Spokane slip and fall accident lawyer.

Washington Ski Law Advises Washingtonians to Ski at Their Own Risk

Almost anyone who has gone skiing at a ski resort in Washington has signed a waiver releasing the ski resort from liability in the event of an accident, but most people do not read the fine print before they sign. State law, however, sets guidelines regarding the responsibility for ski safety. Pursuant to the Washington Ski Law, the operators of ski resorts have a legal duty to keep the ski resorts in safe condition and to remove preventable hazards.

On the other hand, the Washington Ski Law stipulates that the responsibility to ski safely falls on skiers. When you enter a ski trail or ski slope, you are assuming the risks inherent in the sport of skiing. It is your responsibility to remain aware of your surroundings and to choose trails and slopes that are appropriate for your skill level.

Was the Skiing Accident Preventable?

Skiers can suffer injuries if they fall down on a slope or collide with another skier or with a stationary object. The law assumes that a skiing accident is due to your mistake unless you can prove otherwise. For example, if two skiers collide and one or both of them get injured, the law can apportion fault between them the way it would for two drivers in a car accident.

Premises liability laws, which hold that places of business must prevent injury to paying customers, apply to ski resorts just as they do to retail stores, restaurants, or any other place of business. For example, ski resorts must place adequate signage on ski trails to indicate the level of difficulty and to mark the boundaries of the trail. They must also use ropes or fences to make areas that are too dangerous to ski on inaccessible to skiers. Injuries that result from malfunctions of the chair lift are also the ski resort's responsibility.

Contact West Law Office About Skiing Accident Cases

A premises liability lawyer can help you if you were injured in a preventable accident at a ski resort. Contact West Law Office in Spokane, Washington, to find out more about your legal options.