Yes, you can be held liable if someone is injured on your property—period. However, before you panic and refuse to ever let anyone enter your yard again, take advantage of homeowners insurance quotes online from CoverHound to help you get the coverage you need to restore your peace of mind.
Now, with that said, here’s what happens if someone gets injured on your property.
It’s okay to express concern, but do not admit guilt. Get a read on the severity of the injury; if we’re talking lots of blood and/or broken bones, a trip to the emergency room is non-negotiable—just go. Depending upon the circumstances, it might be prudent to call emergency services, rather than trying to move the person on your own and possibly exacerbating the damage. If it’s really bad, you’ll want to get photos of the scene of the accident, as well as the resulting injury and call the police to get statements on the record.
Do not skip this step, even if you have a close personal relationship with the individual. The moment the accident happened, the two of you became parties in a business transaction. You’ll need to make sure everything is properly documented so you can compensate them adequately and fairly. In most cases, you and your friend will be able to work things out between you. However, if lawyers become involved, you’ll be glad you recorded as much of the pertinent information as possible.
Your next call should be to your homeowners insurance agent to apprise them of the situation. This will get your policy’s coverage terms working for you right away, which, in turn, will minimize the compensation time for the injured party. As a reminder, standard homeowners insurance policies cover you in case you’re sued for bodily injury or property damage to others.
Of course, before any of this happens, even the most basic sense of right and wrong should lead you to be certain your property is as hazard free as possible. This will go a long way toward helping you avoid situations like this in the first place.
Some of the preemptive actions you can take include:
− Keep bathroom floors dry and fit them with non-slip rugs.
− Maintain aisles and halls free of tripping hazards, especially runners, children’s toys, etc.
− Confirm all your stairs (indoors and out) have solid handrails and adequate lighting.
− Sidewalks, steps and pathways should be kept in good repair. If cracks become evident, mark them carefully so guests don’t trip.
− Avoid leaving open flames unattended, especially candles.
− Keep guests away from the stove when you’re frying and/or boiling.
Still, despite our best efforts to the contrary, accidents do happen. This is why it’s so important to review homeowners insurance quotes online and find a fitting policy to protect visitors (and your finances). Fortunately, CoverHound is here to help you find the best coverage possible at affordable rates. Start your search today!
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Insurance shopping simplified
