Rescue costs

Rescue costs are those expenses incurred immediately after an accident when an injured person, a vehicle, or equipment must be recovered and brought to a safe location. They include both technical rescue and initial medical care at the accident site. Legally, this constitutes compensable property damage within the meaning of §§ 1293 et seq. ABGB.

Locations of Rescues

Accidents in alpine areas do not only occur on classic ski slopes. In organized ski areas, piste rescue services are active, while in open terrain, mountain rescue is usually involved. Rescues may also be necessary on access roads, parking lots, or at lift stations.

Typical deployment locations include:

• open ski slopes and snow parks
• open terrain for tours or variant descents
• Lift and valley stations
• Access roads and parking areas

The more remote and difficult the location, the more complex and expensive the rescue becomes.

Liabilities for Costs

Rescue costs must be reimbursed by the party responsible for the accident. If another skier or snowboarder is at fault, their liability insurance is liable. If the accident occurs in connection with a cable car, strict liability under the EKHG often applies. Personal accident or travel insurance policies may also cover costs if appropriate coverage has been agreed upon. If no coverage exists, the injured party must initially bear the costs themselves. This is precisely why consistent legal enforcement is crucial.

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Rescue Process

The specific process depends heavily on the accident location and severity of injury. However, it usually follows a similar pattern:

First, emergency responders secure the accident site and provide initial care. Then, they deploy the appropriate means of transport, such as a rescue sled (Akja), snowmobile (Skidoo), or helicopter. Finally, they transfer the injured person to emergency medical services or the hospital.

For illustration:

• Alerting by witnesses, lift personnel, or alpine police
• Initial care with stabilization, heat retention, and immobilization
• Transport by rescue sled (Akja), snowmobile (Skidoo), piste groomer, or helicopter
• Documentation and transfer to the next care facility

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Typical Costs of a Rescue

Many affected individuals massively underestimate rescue costs. Even a rescue with a rescue sled (Akja) on the piste can amount to several thousand euros. If emergency responders deploy additional vehicles or if mountain rescue or even a helicopter is dispatched, costs increase significantly.

It is important to note that insurance companies often do not automatically cover these amounts. If the opposing party caused the accident, the injured person claims the full costs back from them or their insurance company.

Enforcement of Claims

In practice, rescue costs are first claimed out of court. A demand letter serves this purpose.

Such a letter contains a clear presentation of the facts, the legal justification, and a concrete demand for payment including a deadline. Its aim is to achieve a swift settlement without court proceedings. If the opposing party does not respond, the only recourse is legal action.

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Required Documents for Claim Enforcement

For successful enforcement, please collect the following documents:

• You submit invoices from piste rescue, mountain rescue, or helicopter services
• You attach deployment protocols and transfer documents
• You secure photos or sketches of the accident site
• You note down the contact details of witnesses
• You submit initial medical reports regarding the medical necessity of the rescue

Without these proofs, you can hardly substantiate a claim.

Your Benefits with Legal Assistance

We accompany you from the outset and ensure that your rescue costs and all further claims for damages are reimbursed.

• We facilitate the collection of evidence by precisely informing you which documents are required and actively assist in their preparation.
• We handle all communication with your legal protection insurance so that coverage issues are clarified quickly.
• We draft a comprehensive demand letter to the opposing party or their insurance and set a clear payment deadline.
• Should no out-of-court settlement be reached, we will also represent you in court, if desired.
• It should not be underestimated that criminal proceedings for negligent bodily harm are often initiated after ski accidents. As long as the question of guilt has not been clarified, both parties involved in the accident are often treated as suspects. We also represent you in these proceedings and ensure that your rights are fully protected.

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

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