Miami Personal Injury Attorneys Assisting Clients Injured at a Short-Term Rental Property

Vacation rentals are appealing for many reasons, whether for a romantic getaway, a weekend adventure, or family time. Companies like VRBO and Airbnb have catapulted in popularity over the years as a convenient way to experience part of an area without always going the traditional hotel route. Feeling like you are more immersed in the culture than a simple tourist also has appealing characteristics for adventure-seekers. So what if you or a family member is injured while staying at one of these places?

Call the skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at Galimidi Law today to explore possibilities for compensation. 305-692-0125

I’ve Been Injured. What Do I Do?

Although staying in a more commercial environment, such as a hotel, may be less appealing to some when planning a vacation, there is a certain level of maintenance or cleanliness that you can expect or have fixed promptly should there be issues. This standard or desired level of care may be harder to achieve with an Airbnb or VRBO as the property owners aren’t always on-site or local to tend to issues, nor do they always have a maintenance team available for problems that arise.

This can leave the property open to slippery steps, handrails that have broken and gone unnoticed, slippery walkways, and more. All of which can lead to unfortunate accidents and injuries. So what can you do if injured while staying at a short-term rental?

First, document everything about the injury and how it occurred. Take pictures or video of the site where the injury occurred, being careful to document weather conditions or other maintenance issues that may be present in the immediate area.

Seek medical attention, so you have a starting point for your injuries. In some cases, soft tissue injury symptoms don’t present immediately, but they can still cause great concern. You must obtain a thorough exam and rule out any serious issues if you suspect that you have any significant injuries to your body or head.

Consult an experienced attorney who can guide you and help you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.

How to Obtain Compensation

The good news is that companies such as Airbnb or VRBO are required to carry a minimum policy covering residents staying at any of the properties listed via their sites. Typically, this results in a million-dollar policy that vacationers can utilize to recover the damages they deserve rather than dealing with the property owner and their personal insurance plan. If damages exceed a million dollars, the victim can typically rely on the property owner’s insurance if necessary.

What are the Exceptions?

It is important to note that injuries that are covered through the company’s policy will need to be closely related to the property itself and poor maintenance or accidents such as slipping and falling. It can be tougher to put together a case if you or other parties were negligent or breaking the law, and that is what caused the injuries rather than a faulty handrail or broken steps.

For example, if there is a car accident that is unrelated to the property, this would typically not be covered by the company’s policy. However, there may be an option to recover damages through a property damage policy that the company holds. If the injured parties can prove intentional harm, it can be tougher to build a worthy case to obtain compensation.

What Can I Do as a Short-term Rental Property Owner to Protect Myself?

On the contrary, what if you are the owner of a short-term vacation rental and someone injured on your property? This situation can create stress that can be avoided if you take a few additional steps on your end.

Ensure you can rely on the overall policy with $1M in coverage by confirming that it is within your agreement or contract with Airbnb or VRBO.

Consider investing in liability protection that can further protect you in the event of injuries on your property.

Check into the verbiage on your home insurance policy to see what is covered in a vacation rental setting and add to it if necessary.

Utilize the security deposit feather that most short-term rental companies allow. This extra step can provide added peace of mind that the renters who provide a deposit for their stay know it will be utilized if they are irresponsible.

Work with An Experienced Attorney

Accidents happen. If you are enduring an accident while on vacation, it isn’t something any of us want to have to deal with. The good news is you have options. Consult a team of experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and walk you through the process of obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Contact our office today at (786) 442-7681 to speak with our experienced legal team. We have worked with clients for years to help them understand their options surrounding premises liability and help to protect themselves.

It is imperative to have someone with your best interests at heart to be your advocate when going against skilled and experienced negotiating teams that are likely present when dealing with short-term rentals such as VRBO and Airbnb. You shouldn’t and don’t have to handle the process alone.

We look forward to working with you.