Dog Bites Attorney in Atascadero, California
Bitten By A Dog In Atascadero Or San Luis Obispo? We Can Help.
At the 805 Law Group, we are dedicated to standing up for the rights of people who have suffered serious injuries from dog attacks. If you, your child, or another loved one needs compensation to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other costs related to a dog attack, we can help. Medical costs may not be limited to physical injuries. We understand that treatment may be required to treat emotional and psychological damage as well. We provide the aggressive representation necessary to hold negligent dog owners accountable for all harm caused by their pets. You can find out more about your rights and options by consulting a credible Atascadero dog bites attorney. Our personal injury law firm in California can help you in your injury claims for dog bites.Why Do I Need a Dog Bites Attorney in California?
Dogs can provide an endless amount of love and companionship. However, even the kindest dogs can cause property damage or personal injury. If you or your child has been bitten or injured in a dog bite accident, California law enables you to take action against the responsible party by filing a personal injury case.
At 805 Law Group, our skilled Atascadero dog bites attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve for any unpleasant outcomes. Our personal injury law firm has extensive experience in handling a wide variety of animal attack litigation claims. We will help you receive much-needed assistance after a dog bite, personal injury, or wrongful death.
Any Breed Of Dog Can Cause Harm
While most domestic pets have been bred to behave safely around people and children, some dogs are not so well-behaved. Some dog breeds can be vicious and defensive, biting unsuspecting visitors, passers-by, and delivery persons.
When people think of harmful dogs, they often think of pit bulls, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, and similar breeds that are considered aggressive or dangerous. While it is true that these dogs are responsible for many attacks and their size and strength can mean that their attacks are particularly vicious, the reality is that any breed of dog can cause harm.
The majority of dog bite victims are children. Even small dogs can do serious harm to a child. The size or breed of a dog has little impact on the ability of the victim and the victim’s family to take action. No matter what breed of dog is involved in your case, a knowledgeable Atascadero dog bites lawyer at our firm may be able to help.
Does The Dog Have A History Of Violence?
We carefully investigate dog bite cases. One of the factors that we must look at is whether the animal has a history of violence. Has the dog bitten anyone before? Is the dog known to growl and chase neighbors? Through interviews with neighbors and other parties, we will look for the information and evidence we need to prove the owner has been negligent. Our goal is always to secure the best possible outcome, no matter the circumstances surrounding our claim.
Contact our injury attorney to discuss your dog bite case.
How Do You Determine Liability in a Dog Bite Case?
Whether you can hold someone liable for your dog bite injuries will depend on the laws of your state and the strength of your case. In some states, the traditional common law “one-bite” rule is used and imposes liability only if the owner knew or had reason to know their dog is dangerous, for example, if the dog has bitten someone in the past. A reliable Atascadero CA dog bites lawyer can help you determine the dog owner’s liability in your case.
California is one of the states with “strict liability” dog-bite laws that make pet owners responsible for most dog-bite injuries. When a victim files a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation for the damages, it does not matter whether the owners knew their dogs have ever bitten someone before. Owners are liable for the injuries caused by their pets regardless of whether the pet has ever shown any signs of dangerous propensities before. In this case, they cannott argue that they do not know their dogs could be dangerous.
The dog owner is strictly liable only if the injured person:
- was bitten
- was either in a public place or “lawfully in a private place” (including the dog owner’s property) when the bite happened
What Should You Do After Getting Bitten by a Dog?
Knowing what to do after a dog bite can be critical to your health and any legal action you may need to take. If you are a victim of a dog attack, a top-ranking Atascadero dog bites lawyer can help. There are several important steps you should take as soon as possible after you’ve been bitten or otherwise injured by a dog:
Seek medical care
If you have been bitten by a dog, do seek the proper medical treatment as soon as possible. It is important to consult a doctor right away especially for puncture wounds and more serious injuries. Some dogs are not vaccinated against rabies and puncture wounds are prone to infection. If possible, it is advisable to take pictures of your wounds before they are treated for a more accurate documentation of the incident. Keep records of your hospital visits and copies of medical bills.
Get the contact information of the dog’s owner
You should exchange information with the dog’s owner or caretaker so you can easily contact them after the incident. This information should include the owner’s name, address, and contact information. You should also get details about the dog such as its breed and vaccination history.
Get the contact information of any witnesses
If there are any witnesses, get their contact information and a written statement from them explaining what they saw during the incident. You may need them to back up your version of what has happened if you and the dog’s owner later disagree or if you do not know who owns the dog.
Report the incident to animal control authorities
This is one of the most important steps that you need to take especially if you do not know the dog owner or if the dog was not wearing a license tag. In some states, a dog has to be quarantined after it bites someone to see if it is rabid. Therefore, the authorities need this information to pick up the dog for that purpose.
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
Getting bitten by a dog can lead to significant consequences to yourself or your loved one, resulting in medical expenses, trauma, and serious injuries. As suc, you must not let a negligent dog owner take advantage of your vulnerability to an attack. If you have become a victim of a dog attack and have suffered severe personal injuries, you may be eligible for compensation to recover your losses. If you like to pursue legal action against a liable party for your injury, a competent Atascadero dog bite attorney can help.
Damages sought in a dog bite case can include any or all of the following:
- Medical bills for all reasonable and necessary care needed in the aftermath of the attack
- Lost wages caused by missed work or an inability to return to the same job duties
- Pain and suffering related to the traumatic experience
- Emotional anguish caused by the attack, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Compensation for permanent scarring, disfigurement, or loss of use of a limb, organ, or bodily function, specific to the individual dog bite case
Call Our Seasoned Atascadero Dog Bites Attorneys Now!
Dog bites can have an everlasting impact on your life. Knowing what to do after a dog bite can help you obtain the care you need and the legal outcome you deserve. An immediate investigation can help establish liability for the bite and determine whether insurance coverage applies. However, it can still be difficult to know the state laws that apply to your situation, the types of compensation you should receive, and the likelihood of achieving a fair settlement.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it is crucial to seek legal advice from our experienced Atascadero dog bites attorney at 805 Law Group immediately to learn more about your legal options. Our personal injury law firm has extensive experience in successfully handling dog bite cases in Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, and the surrounding areas. We are well-versed in statutes and laws enacted to protect the rights of our dog bite victims. We will help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us today to schedule an initial consultation and begin the process of filing your dog bite personal injury claim.
Contact the 805 Law Group at (805) 466-4800 to discuss your dog bite case.
