Accident during winter sports: coins injury helps!

At Munten Personal Injury, we regularly assist winter athletes who have suffered injuries on the slopes. This has become a specialty over the years, in part because of our own fondness for winter sports. We are therefore able to form a good picture of what happened and offer assistance in the tricky legal package you find yourself in as a victim of a skiing or snowboarding accident.

The winter of 2022 – 2023 is significantly warmer than previous years. Not only in the Netherlands we notice the consequences of this, also in many ski areas the consequence of a warm winter is visible: poor slope quality and a lot of crowding on the open slopes and at the elevators that do go. The chance of an accident involving injury becomes much higher as a result.

When can we help?

The chances of having a skiing or snowboarding accident in the Netherlands (outside of indoor ski halls) are not that high. Therefore, by definition, there is an international aspect involved. We can only assist victims if Dutch law applies. Under the Rome II Regulation, this is the case if the accident occurs during skiing or snowboarding in the Netherlands or if the party responsible, the other party, is Dutch. If that is the case, then we can help.

 

What are the ski and snowboarding accidents?

Winter sports are not without risk. There are many different ways you can be injured. Ranging from single-vehicle accidents (without an opposing party) to an accident in which you are slashed or hit by a snowboarder. The injuries you can suffer in this can also vary widely. Injuries can range from twisting a wrist, ankle or thumb to breaking a hip, neck or back. Are you injured during your vacation due to a skiing accident with another Dutch skier or boarder? If so, we will be happy to help you recover damages.

What rules apply on the slopes?

Fortunately, the rules for behavior on the slopes are regulated internationally. The so-called FIS rules are the starting point:

1. Be considerate of other skiers and snowboarders on the slopes

2. Master your speed and skiing style so you can react in time to other people and conditions;

3. A skier coming from behind must consider those skiing in front of him or her when choosing his track;

4. Overtaking is allowed above and below and from the right or left, but one must be considerate of others on the slopes;

5. When you stop on the slopes as well as when you continue skiing, you have to consider those on the slopes;

6. Each skier should not unnecessarily block or narrow the slope;

7. A skier climbing or descending on foot may only do so on the side of the slope;

8. Each skier must pay attention to the signs and markings posted;

9. In the event of an accident on the slopes, everyone is obliged to render assistance;

10. Anyone involved or witnessing an accident must identify themselves.

What should you do if you have an accident on the slopes?

Most importantly, exchange information. A name, hometown and phone number can be very helpful at a later time. Always take pictures of the accident scene and injuries. We also recommend making sure you have a good explanation of the accident, preferably by people who saw it or were also involved in the accident. After that, contact us as soon as possible.

If you are involved in an accident on the slopes with a foreign party, we recommend consulting a local attorney.

Coins Injury present in Austria this year

If you would like more information about the Chamber and its practices, please click on this link. If you have been injured in an accident and have suffered personal injury, please contact us at: 06-21152677 or 0610251574 . Would you rather email us? Then contact us at wouter@muntenletselschade.nl or merel@muntenletselschade.nl. We will then check with you immediately to see if we can help you further.