Maison Law’s team of Glendale premises liability lawyers helps anyone that’s been hurt because of a property owner or manager’s negligence. Booking a rental through Airbnb or Vrbo can give you a cozy, home-like experience while you stay in Glendale, but sometimes these places can have unsafe conditions that lead to accidents and injuries. If you’ve been hurt and want to know what to do next, contact us today for a free consultation.
Considering Legal Help After an Airbnb or Vrbo Accident?
Getting injured during an Airbnb or Vrbo stay can be confusing and stressful. You’re not just dealing with recovery–you also probably have legal questions. While you don’t have to hire a lawyer, our experienced Glendale premises liability lawyers can make things easier for you by explaining your options, helping you gather evidence, sorting out insurance issues, and negotiating for a fair settlement or verdict.
We hope your injuries are minor and won’t require legal action, but if they do, you can count on our team for guidance. But it’s also important to know what to do when an accident happens.
What Do You Need to Do After an Accident at an Airbnb or Vrbo in Glendale?
A situation where you’re injured while staying at a Glendale Airbnb or Vrbo rental isn’t uncommon, but it is pretty stressful. Unlike a hotel, where assistance is readily available, you might not even know who to call or where to go for help. At the same time, staying calm and rational is very important. Taking immediate steps can deal with your injury and protect your well-being is the best course of action, but you also need to do a few things to protect your potential claim:
- Get medical care – Immediate medical care should be your first priority when dealing with an injury. Call 911 or get first aid to address any immediate injuries, then go to an ER or urgent care for further care.
- Tell Airbnb or Vrbo – You’ll also want to notify the property owner or manager about the accident right away, and seek medical attention right away. You can find their contact information through the Airbnb or Vrbo app, or by contacting customer service.
- Gather pertinent information and evidence – Document what happened by writing down details of the accident. Take photos or videos of any hazardous conditions that led up to the accident or were there at the property. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened, as their statements can be vital for verifying your claim.
- Keep thorough records – Maintain records of all expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts for any other costs incurred due to your injury. These documents will help calculate the financial support you may be able to get for your recovery.
By taking these steps, you focus on recovering physically and also strengthen your legal case. Acting quickly and documenting everything thoroughly can greatly impact your case’s outcome, but it’s also important to figure out who’s ultimately responsible for what happened.
Who’s Legally Responsible For a Airbnb or Vrbo Accident?
Even though it’s designed a bit differently, staying at an Airbnb or Vrbo isn’t all that different from staying at a hotel, at least in legal terms. These rentals fall under California’s “premises liability” laws. This means the property owner, whether it’s a homeowner or a management company, is mainly responsible for keeping you safe while you’re there. When they don’t, and you get hurt, they’re going to be the ones who are primarily responsible.
However, there are other parties who could also be legally responsible, depending on what happened:
- Airbnb or Vrbo – The companies might be responsible if they knew about safety problems and didn’t fix them, or if they didn’t properly check the property before renting it out.
- Property managers – If the owner hired someone to take care of the property and they didn’t do a good job or ignored problems, they could be responsible.
- Maintenance companies – If a company hired to fix things made a mistake that caused your accident, they might be responsible.
- Product makers – If something in the rental, like a broken appliance or furniture, caused your accident, the company that made it could be responsible.
- Other guests – If another guest did something that caused your accident, they might be responsible too.
Like any accident, somebody is responsible for keeping you safe while you’re on a property. That doesn’t always happen, and when there’s negligence involved, it gives you certain legal options. The main option is filing an injury claim for “damages.”
How Can You Recover Damages After an Airbnb or Vrbo Accident?
Once you’ve taken care of your health, you can start considering your legal options. Like any other accident situation, you have the legal option to file an injury claim to recover damages. There are two ways to do this:
- Insurance claim – Typically, you begin by filing a claim with the Airbnb or Vrbo owner’s liability insurance company. This isn’t a formal court action, so the company handles it. They investigate and might offer a settlement. Their goal is to pay as little as possible to save money.
- Lawsuit – If the insurance settlement isn’t enough, our team helps you with filing a lawsuit in civil court. This involves preparing legal documents and presenting your case against the responsible party (or parties).
Deciding whether to accept an insurance offer is up to you. Sometimes, pursuing a lawsuit is necessary to ensure all your financial losses are covered. These losses can include:
- Medical expenses and treatment costs, including ongoing care
- Lost income or earning potential
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, in cases of intentional negligence
The process varies, but it’s crucial to act promptly due to California’s statute of limitations, which is usually two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline can prevent you from filing a claim and recovering damages.
How Can You Get Injured at a Glendale Airbnb or Vrbo Rental?
Even though it’s geared toward those travelers that want a non-hotel type of stay in Glendale, the fact is that you are just as likely to get hurt at an Airbnb or Vrbo rental as you are anywhere else. While Airbnb or Vrbo accommodations offer comfort and convenience, these benefits can fade if you suffer an injury. Various incidents can occur, including:
- Slippery floors leading to falls
- Drowning or near-drowning
- Assaults or robberies from negligent security
- Electrical hazards
- Illness from poor food handling or prep problems
- Maintenance issues
- Damaged floors or stairs
These accidents often result in injuries such as:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Muscle strains
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Risks of theft or assault
- Food poisoning
- Incidents of drowning or near-drowning in pools or other water sources
Considering these risks at many Airbnb or Vrbo rentals, it’s wise to be prepared. Knowing how to respond can also strengthen any potential claim you might make, but in order to take full advantage of your legal options, you should work with our experienced team.
Contact Maison Law for Help After an Injury at a Glendale Airbnb or Vrbo
Renting an Airbnb or Vrbo should mean a pleasant, comfortable stay, not dealing with injuries from unsafe conditions or the owner’s carelessness. Maison Law is here to help you in getting through this difficult time. We’ll answer your questions and help you through the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation to begin the process.
