Maison Law helps premises liability injury victims in Modesto. Staying in a rental booked through Airbnb or Vrbo can feel cozy and home-like while you’re in Glendale, but sometimes these places have unsafe conditions that can cause accidents and injuries. If you’ve been hurt and need to know what to do next, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Getting injured during an Airbnb or Vrbo stay can be confusing and stressful. You’re not just dealing with your health, but also likely have legal questions. Even still, you’re not required to have a lawyer. But while you don’t need one, having our team there can make everything easier. We do this by:
- Explaining your options
- Helping you gather evidence
- Addressing insurance issues
- 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. One of the first things that need to be figured out is what caused the accident and who was responsible.
Who’s Responsible For an Airbnb or Vrbo Accident?
Even though an Airbnb or Vrbo rental offers a more home-like experience while you’re in Modesto, that doesn’t mean you won’t be in an accident. Worse yet, it also doesn’t mean that you won’t get injured and need help. Here are just a few ways that you could get hurt during your stay:
- Wet or slippery floors – Wet or slippery floors can make you lose your balance and fall, which can lead to injuries like sprains, fractures, or bruises.
- Drownings or pool mishaps – Swimming pools without proper safety measures can be dangerous. You might slip, fall, or even drown if there are no lifeguards, safety signs, or proper pool maintenance.
- Negligent security – Poor security can result in theft or assault. This can happen if doors and windows don’t lock properly, or if there aren’t security cameras or patrols at the property.
- Lack of maintenance – When the property is not well-maintained, things like broken furniture, loose railings, or malfunctioning equipment can cause accidents.
- Broken floors – Cracked tiles, loose floorboards, or broken stairs can cause you to trip and fall, leading to injuries.
Given these many different scenarios, it’s not that surprising to see how you could get hurt. But rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo are covered by California’s “premises liability” laws. This means the property owner, whether a homeowner or a management company, is mainly responsible for keeping you safe. If they fail to do this and you get hurt, they are primarily responsible.
However, other parties might also be legally responsible depending on the situation:
- Airbnb or Vrbo – These companies could 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 manufacturers – 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.
When you get hurt because someone didn’t keep the property safe, you have legal options. The main option is to file an injury claim for “damages,” which means financial support for your injuries.
What Damages Can You Get in a Claim Against Airbnb or Vrbo?
Filing an actual injury claim is not only the best way to get your recovery started, it’s also the main legal option you have. Generally speaking, you can either do this by filing:
- An insurance claim
- A personal injury lawsuit
Dealing with damages is crucial when accidents occur on someone else’s property. The main goal is to obtain financial support to cover your injuries and their impacts. The amount of support you can get depends on the severity of your injuries and whether you had any part in the accident, known as “comparative negligence.”
Regardless, you still recover certain “damages” when your claim is successful. Typically, these include things like your:
- Medical bills and ongoing care needs
- Lost income or earning potential
- Property damage, covering repair/replacement costs
- Pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress related to the incident and your injuries
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
In serious cases where someone was extremely careless, they might have to pay additional financial support called punitive damages. All in all, the damages you can recover are going to depend on how serious your injuries are. But you also need to put together a strong claim.
How Can You Put Together a Strong Claim After an Airbnb or Vrbo Accident?
Getting hurt at your Airbnb or Vrbo isn’t just painful, but also confusing. Unlike a hotel, where help is usually available, you might not know who to contact or where to go for assistance. It’s important to stay calm and take immediate steps to deal with your injury and protect your well-being. You also need to do a few things to protect your potential claim:
- Get medical help – Your first priority should be getting medical care. Call 911 or get first aid for immediate injuries, then visit an ER or urgent care for further treatment.
- Notify Airbnb or Vrbo – Inform the property owner or manager about the accident 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 the accident by writing down details of what happened. Take photos or videos of any hazardous conditions that led to the accident. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened, as their statements can help verify your claim.
- Maintain 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 receive for your recovery.
By taking these steps, you can focus on recovering physically while also strengthening your legal case. Acting quickly and documenting everything thoroughly can greatly impact your case’s outcome. And remember, you can always count on our team for guidance and support.
Reach Out to Maison Law After an Accident at a Modesto Airbnb or Vrbo
When you book an Airbnb or Vrbo, you anticipate a relaxing, comfortable stay, not injuries caused by unsafe conditions or the owner’s negligence. At Maison Law, we can guide you through this challenging situation. We’ll answer all your questions and make sure you have everything you need to build a strong claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
