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No one understands the thrill of winter sports quite like snowboarders, and there are few locations that can quench the thrill like the Sierra Nevada range.

Every winter, our mountains see hundreds of thousands of visitors looking to carve fresh powder and take in the stunning alpine views. But as Reno snowboarding accident lawyers, we also know that with that thrill comes risk. When accidents happen on the slopes, they can result in serious injuries, costly medical bills, and complex liability situations.

If you’ve suffered a snowboarding accident near Reno, you’ll need a lawyer who understands these risks and the process for pursuing compensation when things go wrong. Contact Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to review your legal options.

Why Hire a Local Reno Snowboarding Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a snowboarding accident lawyer who’s local to the area where your accident took place is important for several reasons. For one, our Reno snowboarding accident lawyers are familiar with the many snowboarding locations near Reno, including Palisades Tahoe, Mt. Rose, and Northstar. We understand the way these locations operate and know how an accident may have occurred or been prevented.

In addition, our team has close relationships with many local courts, police departments, and healthcare facilities. What does that mean for you? It means less processing time for your case and more effective results.

Finally, beyond our decades of local service, our location in the Sierra Valley also gives us a unique edge when it comes to handling snowboarding accidents on behalf of our out-of-state clients. Our snowboarding injury law firm in Reno is licensed in both California and Nevada, which means regardless of which state your snowboarding injury took place in, we have the authorization to take on your case.

Common Snowboarding Injuries in Reno

Every outdoor enthusiast knows that the risk of serious injury is always present during a trip to the mountain. Here are a few of the most common types of injuries our Reno snowboarding accident law firm typically handles:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: These are among the most serious types of injuries that a person may sustain on the mountain. Sadly, they are also one of the most common. Spinal injuries can range from mild symptoms of general neck and back pain to long-term disability and even partial or full paralysis. If serious enough, victims of snowboarding spinal injuries may even fall into a coma or pass away as a result of the accident. If this happens, the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death case on behalf of their loved one.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A TBI can happen during a snowboarding collision with a tree, rock, or other snowboarder or skier. They can also happen due to edge catch, which happens when part of the snowboard lodges in the snow and causes the snowboarder to faceplant. TBIs are a serious condition that can cause permanent brain damage and long-term disability.
• Internal Injuries: Sometimes, snowboarding accidents lead to internal damage. While the symptoms can be subtle at first, internal injuries can quickly become deadly if the blow to the body is serious enough. If you have any suspicion that you may be suffering internal injury to your organs, get a medical evaluation right away, even if your symptoms seem mild.
• Broken Bones: The most common broken bones injuries that snowboarders suffer are typically to the wrist or ankle. But they are also common on the face and neck due to face plants. Again, if serious enough, these injuries can become deadly or cause long-term injury, especially if a medical evaluation is delayed.

What Leads to Snowboarding Accidents in Reno?

Regardless of whether a snowboarder is just a beginner or has a lifetime of skill, there is always a level of risk that comes with the sport. Below are a few of the most common causes of snowboarding accidents that our snowboarding injury law firm typically sees:

• Other snowboarders or skiers: One of the most common causes of snowboarding accidents is collisions with other recreationists. While these accidents may be due to inexperience or poor conditions, they may also be due to negligence on the part of the other person. If it’s found that they were engaged in speeding, reckless maneuvering, or were intoxicated when the accident occurred, they could be held liable for any injuries that result.
• Poor weather conditions: The Sierra Nevada Mountains are rugged, and weather conditions can change quickly without notice. This may cause poor visibility or traction and result in serious injury. Always check the weather forecast before taking the lift.
• Defective equipment: Snowboarders should always gauge their own equipment before heading to the slopes to make sure the bolts are tight and their board and safety gear fit snugly. However, this doesn’t always prevent defective equipment from causing an accident or exacerbating the effects of one. If using a defective snowboard or safety gear resulted in your injury, you may be able to file a product liability case to address your injuries.
• Intoxication: Many resorts have a reputation for being rowdy party sites, but this does not excuse reckless behavior. If you are hit by an intoxicated skier or snowboarder while on the slopes, report it to the resort and to the authorities.
• Misjudging skill: Sometimes, it can be many years between snowboarding adventures, and during that time, you may find that your snowboarding skills have declined a bit. If you find you need a refresher, it’s always good to play it safe and take a class before hitting the slopes.

Common Accidents in Terrain Parks

In addition to general snowboarding risks, there may also be hazardous conditions that originate from the terrain park itself. Like any other business, resorts have a legal responsibility to maintain safety on their property. If any of the scenarios below describe your snowboarding accident, you may have a case for a personal injury lawsuit:

• Poorly maintained trails or premises: One of the most common factors in snowboarding accidents is unsafe conditions on the trail. If the trail has not been checked for ice or rocks, or if foliage is blocking traffic, this can demonstrate severe oversight on the part of the resort, especially if there are no warnings. But snowboarding accidents can happen off-trail as well. If the resort fails to clear icy or wet walkways or generally fails to address unsafe conditions at the lodge, it may be held liable if an accident results.
• Lack of signage: Signs at snowboarding parks and resorts play an important role in protecting the safety of guests. These designate the difficulty of various trails, hazardous conditions, and point out the locations of drops. If these signs aren’t visible (or are nonexistent), it can result in serious injury or even death.
• Equipment malfunctions: The primary concern with equipment at a snowboarding resort is often the ski lift. There have been dozens of incidents in the Sierra Nevada since our practice opened, where individuals were injured or killed due to a malfunctioning lift. If this happens, injured guests and their families will often have the option to sue for damages. The same principle applies to equipment rentals and maintenance. If you rent safety gear or boards on-site and they fail due to the negligence of staff, you may be eligible to file a suit.

Can I Sue After a Snowboard Injury in Reno?

Yes. A lawsuit for a snowboarding accident is one of the most effective measures a victim can take to secure compensation for their injuries if the accident was caused due to the negligence of someone else. This is true whether your accident was caused by the reckless behavior of another snowboarder or skier, defective equipment, or the negligent actions of the resort itself.

What if You Signed a Waiver?

Requiring snowboarders to sign liability waivers is standard practice at terrain parks and resorts. But just because a snowboarder signs one, it doesn’t mean that they forfeit all rights to file a lawsuit, especially if the resort or terrain park caused your injury due to gross negligence.

Furthermore, the waiver usually doesn’t apply to other recreationists that may have caused your accident, nor do they apply to cases of equipment failure or other issues not detailed in the waiver itself.

“Assumption of Risk”

When a person signs a liability waiver, they’re typically authorizing their express assumption of risk. However, as we’ve detailed, this usually doesn’t cover factors that are not typically assumed by most people to be present in the given situation.

For example, most snowboarders understand that they should not knowingly snowboard without a helmet, and if they sustain an injury to their head while not wearing one, they probably won’t be able to sue unless other factors are at play. However, if a snowboard instructor pressures a beginner to attempt a more challenging trail and an injury ensues, this would not typically be covered by a waiver. At any rate, regardless of whether or not you signed a waiver, our snowboarding accident attorneys can help you review the waiver to understand if you still have the ability to sue.

How Much Is My Reno Snowboarding Injury Worth?

Generally, it depends on the severity of the injury, the level of negligence displayed by the other party, and the presence of evidence that supports your claim. In cases where the snowboarding accident caused significant injury and the evidence paints a clear picture of what happened, the settlement can range into the millions. This helps victims and their families to address damages such as:

• Medical bills, including treatment, hospital stays, and medication
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety
• Lost wages

In cases where the victim is severely incapacitated, they can also pursue damages for their long-term care. This may include assisted living residency, in-home care, disability, and medical equipment. In cases where the victim has tragically passed due to their snowboarding injuries, the family can file a wrongful death suit.

Reno Snowboarding Accident Lawyer: FAQs

Can I Sue If I Was Partially at Fault?

It depends on the state where the accident took place and the level at which your own actions played a role in your injury. Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that you can still recover damages so long as you are no more than 50% at fault.

What If My Child Was Injured in a Snowboard Lesson?

If the instructor was employed by the resort, the resort may be held liable. However, if they were a contract worker, the instructor themselves may be held liable if found to have acted negligently.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Nevada?

Generally, two years from the date of the accident or when the injuries were discovered.

What If the Accident Happened at a California Resort Near Reno?

You’ll need a lawyer who is licensed in California. Fortunately for our out-of-state clients, we are licensed to practice in both California and Nevada.

What Should You Do After a Reno Snowboarding Accident?

Sustaining a serious snowboarding injury can easily become one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life, and in the chaos, it can be difficult to know what steps to take in the moment to maximize your safety. Here are the general steps you’ll need to take to prevent your injuries from progressing later on and safeguard your chances at a fair settlement:

• Alert ski patrol and first responders of your accident and get to a safe location.
• Get a medical evaluation, regardless of how serious your immediate symptoms are.
• If you are able to do so safely, take pictures of your injuries and the accident site, and exchange information with any nearby witnesses.
• If you haven’t done so already, notify resort staff of the incident as soon as possible. Follow up and request a copy of the accident report.
• Contact our firm for a free consultation to review your legal options.

Do You Have a Snowboarding Accident Lawyer Near Me?

Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers is located at 5470 Kietzke Lane, #130 in Reno, next to Homewood Suites. We have an additional office in Truckee, CA.