Final answer:
Hans's skiing collision likely disrupted his hippocampus, leading to anterograde amnesia which prevents the formation of new long-term memories as shown in the case of H.M.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given Hans's inability to store or remember new information following his injury, the accident has likely disrupted function in Hans's hippocampus. The hippocampus is essential for the consolidation of new learning into explicit memory, including both episodic and semantic memories. Hans's symptoms are indicative of anterograde amnesia, which is commonly associated with hippocampal damage. This type of amnesia prevents the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory, impairing the ability to form new memories. The case of H.M., a widely studied individual with similar symptoms, illustrates the critical role of the hippocampus in memory processes.