Top 5 Causes Of Skiing Accidents Revealed

As many holidaymakers enjoy winter sports during half-term, new research out today reveals that 15% of Brits injure themselves while on skiing holidays.

The survey* by law firm Irwin Mitchell revealed that not only are a significant proportion of ski enthusiasts suffering injuries, many of these injuries are very serious. Of those skiers who were injured, over 1 in 4 (27.5%) had to spend time in hospital and 1 in 5 (20.3%) had to cut their holiday short and fly home. 8.5% of the injured skiers suffered a head injury.

Skiing injuries are also having a significant long-term impact on British holidaymakers. 1 in 5 (20.3%) of those injured continue to experience regular pain as a result of their accident, with almost 1 in 10 (8.5%) left unable to ski again.

Brits put their accidents down to a range of factors. The top 5 causes given by survey respondents are:

• Going too fast on the slopes (27.5%)
• Lack of experience, practice or training (23.5%)
• Fault of another skier/snowboarder (20.3%)
• Collision with another skier/snowboarder (17%)
• Bad terrain (17%)

Interestingly, the survey also revealed that more than half (52%) of the injuries sustained on skiing holidays happened while not skiing on the slopes, with 15.2% of accidents taking place involving a ski lift.

Injury specialist Irwin Mitchell recommends that skiers take a look at Safety on the Slopes, an interactive guide which highlights some of the potential hazards that they should be aware of when they take to the slopes.

Head of International Personal Injury Law at Irwin Mitchell, Clive Garner, says: “Each year during the ski season we are asked to help many people who have suffered injuries abroad both whilst participating in winter sports or during other activities in ski resorts.

“We know from over 20 years of experience, and the research supports this, that many of these accidents result in hospital treatment and leave those injured with serious and sometimes life changing injuries. It is important that anyone affected receives the best possible legal advice, support, treatment, rehabilitation and care.

“Our research and interactive guide to safety on the slopes is part of a campaign to raise awareness of injuries and the impact they can have on people’s lives, so that we can try to reduce the risk of people suffering accidents.”

* Independent survey of 1,200 people, carried out in February 2015 by YourSayPays. Population calculated by UK citizens aged over 18.