Friday, March 29, 2024

Mistakes to Avoid After Being Attacked by a Dog

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According to a recent survey, over 60 million households in the United States own a dog, either as a pet, companion, or for security reasons. Unsurprisingly, attacks by these canines have been on the rise, with millions of cases reported annually across the country.

If you are a victim of a dog attack, it’s possible to recover compensation like medical expenses, depending on the circumstances of your attack. Compensation may also include lost income, emotional pain, and grief arising from the incident.

Dog Bite Laws You Should Know About

Generally, the law holds dog owners liable for injuries arising from attacks. The rules vary per state, but liability is usually pegged on either or both the rules below;

  • One Bite Rule where the owner is liable if they knew or should have known the dog is bound to attack but took no preventative measures
  • Strict Liability Rule holds owners responsible whether or not they knew the dog might attack. This rule does not apply if you were trespassing or provoked the dog into attacking you.

To increase the chances of winning compensation following an attack by an unrestrained dog, avoid these common mistakes.

Failure to Document Your Dog Attack Incident

It is essential to seek medical attention for your safety and compensation purposes. The nature of your injuries should be well documented, as well as the medical bills incurred. Proper recording of the extent of the injuries suffered will also help in arriving at a suitable settlement package.

You can take pictures of your injuries and, if possible, the dog that attacked you and the details of the owner. Eye witness statements can also go a long way in aiding your case. Try to get as much information as possible surrounding your dog attack; it will come in handy when valuing your claim.

Not Informing Animal Control

While some states require medical care practitioners to report dog bites, it is crucial to make a formal report to your local authority. Animal control officers will investigate your case and follow up with the owner concerning the dog’s health and vaccination certificates. After this, further action will depend on the dog’s history of aggression.

Taking Too Long to File a Claim

Personal injury cases, which dog attacks fall under, have a statute of limitations. This is the time beyond which you cannot pursue claims in a court of law, and depending on your state, it varies from two to three years.

Do not wait to file a dog bite claim because it takes away from your case and evidence can be lost with time.

Not Contacting a Dog Bite Lawyer

This is perhaps the most common mistake dog attack victims make.

DoDo not engage in any negotiations with the dog owner before reaching out to a qualified personal injury attorney, even if you think you were somehow at fault for the attack.. In some cases, there might be other liable parties besides the owner.

For instance, landlords can be held responsible if they harbored the dog or knew of its aggression and had the power to remove it from the premises.

The laws around dog attacks vary according to the state in which they occur, and an attorney well versed with your jurisdiction will improve chances of a decent payout. Law firms with decades of experience in personal injury cases like Lane and Lane can fight to get the amount of compensation you deserve.

The importance of an attorney cannot be overlooked because the dog owner will probably have a defense of their own, not to mention the insurance company looking out to pay the least settlement possible.

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