Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in court in Park City, Utah, on Tuesday, March 21st, to address a lawsuit concerning a skiing accident at Deer Valley resort on Flagstaff Mountain in which she allegedly collided with a man.

Terry Sanders, a retired optometrist, filed the lawsuit against Paltrow, seeking $300,000 in damages for the incident that occurred on February 26, 2016. Initially, Sanders filed for $3.1 million in January 2019. In response, Paltrow claims that Sanders crashed into her and has countersued for $1, as well as coverage of her legal expenses. The 76-year-old Sanders alleges that Paltrow's negligence resulted in the accident, which caused him physical injuries, including four broken ribs and a permanent traumatic brain injury, as well as emotional distress.

The Associated Press states that during the trial's opening statements, Paltrow's attorney, Steve Owens, referred to the lawsuit as "utter B.S." In contrast, Sanders' lawyers argued that "Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control." They continued, "Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured."

Paltrow described the lawsuit as "a meritless claim" and an "attempt to exploit her celebrity and wealth." She asserts that she remembers the incident "clearly." At the time of the collision, Paltrow was skiing with her ski instructor, Eric Christiansen – whom she claims witnessed the accident and found her not at fault – and her son, Moses Martin, 16, with whom she shares with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Paltrow's lawyer revealed during opening statements that Moses would testify in her defense, claiming he saw her further downhill than Sanders and lying on the ground after the crash. Under Utah law, the skier higher on the mountain is responsible for yielding to those below. Her daughter Apple, 18, and her husband Brad Falchuk will also testify.

Both Sanders and Paltrow attended the trial's opening day, which the AP reports is expected to last over a week.

During the ongoing trial, witnesses and experts are expected to present their testimonies and evidence to the court, providing a detailed account of the skiing accident. The jury will carefully examine the information presented to determine fault and assess the damages sought by both parties.

As the trial progresses, additional arguments from both sides will be presented. Paltrow's legal team will continue to assert that the lawsuit is baseless and an attempt to exploit her fame and fortune. They will likely present further evidence to show that Sanders was the one responsible for the collision, reinforcing Paltrow's countersuit.

In contrast, Sanders' attorneys will continue to argue that Paltrow's negligence caused the accident, leading to his severe injuries and emotional distress. They will seek to establish that Paltrow was skiing out of control and failed to take responsibility for the crash, leaving Sanders injured in the snow.

The testimonies of Paltrow's family members, including her son Moses, daughter Apple, and husband Brad Falchuk, will play a crucial role in her defense. They will provide their perspectives on the incident and share details that may help the jury understand the events leading up to the collision.

As the trial unfolds, both parties will have the opportunity to present rebuttals and counterarguments, as well as call additional witnesses if necessary. Ultimately, the jury will determine the outcome of the case based on the evidence and testimonies presented.

The high-profile nature of this case has attracted significant media attention, and the public will closely follow the developments in the trial. The final verdict will set a precedent for similar cases involving celebrities and personal injury lawsuits in the future.