Maison Law represents injury victims in hotel accidents throughout California. One of the most widespread chains is a Red Roof Inn. While these hotels are budget-friendly, there’s always the chance that you or a loved one could be hurt in an accident. If you want to discuss your options, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
One of the first questions you probably have when you get hurt at a Red Roof Inn–or anywhere else–is whether or not you need a lawyer. The answer depends on your needs. Every accident or potential injury that could happen to you at a Red Roof inn can vary in terms of the severity. Some could be minor, in which case you probably don’t need to worry about taking legal action. However, if you’re severely injured or there’s significant negligence involved, you would best be served by working with our lawyers.
Common Injuries in Hotel Accidents
Again, the potential injuries you could face after an accident at a Red Roof Inn vary widely. Because these places are built around your comfort, they have a lot of different things that make a stay convenient. Unfortunately, this can also lead to various accidents and injuries like:
- Slip and falls – These can occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or obstacles in hallways or other areas of the hotel.
- Burns – You and other guests can suffer burns from hot water, steam, or malfunctioning appliances.
- Cuts and bruises – Accidents involving broken glass, sharp edges on furniture, or collisions with objects can lead to cuts and bruises.
- Strains and sprains – Lifting heavy objects, improper ergonomics, or slipping on uneven surfaces can result in muscle strains and sprains.
- Electrical shocks – Faulty wiring, malfunctioning appliances, or improperly maintained electrical systems can cause electrical shocks.
- Head trauma or brain injuries – Falling objects, collisions, or slipping on wet surfaces can result in head injuries ranging from minor bumps to concussions.
- Broken bones – Falls from heights, slipping on stairs, or accidents involving heavy objects can cause fractures and broken bones.
- Torn ligaments – Impact with objects or surfaces can cause injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Lung or throat injuries – Exposure to harmful chemicals or allergens during cleaning or maintenance activities can lead to respiratory problems.
- Food poisoning or allergic reactions – Poor food handling practices or contamination can result in guests experiencing food poisoning or other gastrointestinal issues. Also, improper planning can cause allergic reactions.
What separates these incidents from others is the fact that a hotel has a duty to keep you and others safe while you’re on the property. But there’s also things that you need to do if you’re in one of these accidents and get hurt.
What to Do After a Hotel Accident
In the aftermath of any accident at a Red Roof Inn, it’s crucial to respond appropriately before exploring your legal options. These situations can be distressing, particularly if injuries happen. Here’s what you should do if you or someone you know is injured:
- Seek medical help – No matter how minor the injuries seem, seek medical attention both at the hotel and then a hospital right away. Even small injuries could hide bigger problems. Keep careful records of all medical treatments, appointments, costs, and receipts.
- Report the accident – Tell the hotel staff or management about what happened as soon as possible. If needed, involve the local authorities. Ask for or make a detailed report explaining where and how the accident occurred and what issues were involved.
- Gather evidence – Capture the scene with photos or videos, focusing on any problems or hazards. Remember to note the date and time, and gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Keep evidence – Hang onto anything related to the incident, like damaged items or clothes. These things can be important proof for your case, showing what happened and what you lost because of it.
- Stay in touch – Keep communicating with the hotel’s management or owner after you report the incident. Make sure they understand what happened, how it affected you, and any worries you have about safety. Save copies of all your conversations.
Following these steps is crucial to protect your rights and make a strong case if you’re in an accident at a Red Roof Inn or any other hotel. It’s also important for any legal actions that might happen later on.
Legal Process After a Hotel Accident
In terms of your legal options, there’s two main options: an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. The first step, though, is figuring out liability. There’s a lot of variance here as well, because it depends on what happened.
Generally, though, Red Roof Inn’s management is going to share most of the liability, since they have an overriding responsibility to keep its guests safe. But depending on what happened specifically, others may share some of this responsibility. Typically, this includes:
- Other guests or visitors
- Hotel staff
- Product manufacturers
- Security or maintenance contractors
Procedure wise, there’s a lot of similarities between the insurance claim and lawsuit. The main difference is that an insurance claim is much less formal and happens outside of the court system. Usually, the insurance carrier investigates what happened and then offers you a settlement. You have the choice to accept an insurance settlement, but you might need to file a lawsuit to get the full extent of your damages:
- Medical expenses, including costs for healthcare, doctor visits, medications, or treatments.
- Property damage, which covers the cost to fix or replace damaged belongings or property from the incident.
- Pain and suffering, relating to any physical discomfort and mental anguish due to the injury.
- Emotional distress, which is separate from pain and suffering. Usually, it relates to things like anxiety or fear caused by the incident’s emotional impact on you.
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship, which cover any impact on your ability to enjoy life or spend time with loved ones.
Remember, each case is unique, and outcomes depend on the accident’s circumstances and your claim’s strength. It’s important to be patient, but you’ll need to file your claim within California’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline means you won’t be able to file a claim, and as such, won’t be able to recover these damages.
Red Roof Inn Injury Victims Can Trust Maison Law
When you check into a Red Roof Inn in California, your primary concern should be relaxation, not injury worries. Unfortunately, accidents happen at these hotels more than you may think. In order to be prepared, you can trust our team of hotel accident lawyers at Maison Law. With our experience and dedication, we make sure your rights are protected and that you receive the financial support you need to recover. Contact us today to set up a free consultation to talk about your case.
