Lancaster Dog Bite Lawyers

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dog bite accidents happen due to a number of factors. To reduce the likelihood of one happening in the future, it is important to familiarize ourselves with the possible reasons that could lead a dog to attack. By gaining an understanding of why dogs may bite, we can help prevent such incidents from occurring.

The following are some of the most common reasons why dogs bite:

Feeling Frustrated

If a dog is in a situation where it cannot escape or perceives itself to be in danger, it may respond by biting. A bite may also occur when the dog is prevented from getting what it wants and becomes frustrated. These bites are known as “redirected bites”.

Fear

Fear is a major factor behind why dogs may bite. Most dogs’ aggressive behavior is due to fear, resulting in them being defensive when unfamiliar people come into their space. To avoid this, it is essential to be mindful of how close you get to the dog and take caution even if they seem friendly at first. This is because your approach could disturb or alarm them, leading to aggression.

Pain

Physical pain can be extremely overwhelming and stressful for a dog, making them more likely to react aggressively through biting. Therefore, it is important to take extra caution when interacting with or providing care to an injured or ill dog. Being aware of their discomfort and distress can help reduce the risk of being bitten.

Being Startled

When startling or abruptly waking a dog, it may react defensively and bite if they feel confused. This is especially true for senior dogs or those with vision or hearing difficulties. To prevent this from happening, be gentle when waking your pet and teach others to do the same.

Guarding

A dog may bite if they feel that something of value to them, such as food or a toy, is being taken away. Some breeds might be more prone to guarding behavior and may react with aggression if they perceive an intruder or their family is threatened.

Who is the Most at Risk For a Dog Bite Attack?

Children are most likely to be injured by a dog bite due to their size and playful nature. In fact, 50% of all reported dog bite cases involve children, with around 26% of these incidents requiring emergency medical care.

The Injury Epidemiology Journal has found that a majority of dog bite injuries are caused by dogs whose owners are known to the victim or familiar with them. Moreover, data from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh suggests that dog bites occur more commonly than injuries from playground and bicycle accidents.

It is essential that parents and pet owners remain vigilant when their kids are around new people or animals, as dog bite incidents are more likely to occur among young boys than girls. With the growth of pet ownership each year, taking precautionary measures is key to avoiding such incidents.

Most Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can cause severe injuries with lasting repercussions on an individual’s health and quality of life. Common injuries resulting from these incidents may require lengthy medical care. The most common dog bite injuries include:

• Broken bones – Dog bites can cause bodily injuries, such as broken bones to the injured victim’s hands, fingers, or arms. The powerful jaws of a dog have enough force to fracture these bones.
• Face injuries – This type of injury is a common occurrence in dog bite incidents and can require reconstructive operations. Additionally, it could lead to disfiguring scars.
• Infection – There is a significant risk of infection associated with dog bite injuries. If left untreated, these infections can lead to serious medical complications and may result in fatal injuries. Estimates suggest that approximately 10-15% of all dog bites result in infection. Therefore, it is important to seek prompt medical attention if you have been bitten by a dog.
• Puncture wounds – Puncture wounds are a common result of animal attacks, especially in a dog bite attack due to their strong jaws. These catastrophic injuries may also result in nerve damage.
• Lacerations – A tear in the skin caused by a sharp object is referred to as a laceration. If the laceration has been produced by a dog bite, medical treatment must be sought as soon as possible in order to prevent infection from setting in.
• Avulsion – This kind of injury is very severe and involves the forceful tearing away of something from its source. For instance, if a dog were to tear off a human finger, this would be considered an avulsion.

Who Can Be Held Liable For a Dog Bite Injury?

California has “strict liability” dog bite laws. The California Civil Code 3342 states that the pet owner is liable for the extent of damages caused by their dog, regardless of whether or not their dog has a history of biting others. If you were a dog bite victim, it is within your right to file a personal injury claim.

In cases concerning military or police dogs, there is an exception to the dog bite claim filing process. If a dog was defending itself from provocation or if it was helping an employee of its agency in any of the following ways, it cannot be held liable for any damages caused by biting:

• In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activity.
• In the investigation of a crime or possible crime.
• In the execution of a warrant.
• In the defense of a peace officer or another person.

Dog owners usually have insurance coverage, and the amount of compensation owed to a victim of a dog attack will depend on the particular circumstances of the incident. The following may be held liable:

• Dog owner insurance
• Renters of homeowners insurance
• Personal umbrella liability policies
• Auto liability insurance

During this difficult time, you must have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side to help guide you through the complex process of a dog bite claim.

An experienced attorney will ensure that your rights are protected from insurance companies who may wish to trick you into lowering the value of your claim. Insurance agencies may lowball you in order to avoid offering you a fair settlement. 

What Should You Do After a Dog Bite Accident?

It is within an injured accident victim’s right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages. Therefore, it is in their best interest to file a dog bite claim. There are several steps one can take to ensure the validity and value of their claim.

1. Contact the police – It is crucial to contact the police as soon as possible after the incident has occurred, and make sure that a law enforcement officer is at the accident scene to record an official report. Procure the report number and details, as your Lancaster dog bite lawyer may use this as evidence to help strengthen your claim.
2. Seek medical care immediately – It is important to seek medical attention, even if you think your injuries are not severe. Doing so will ensure that all existing health issues are identified and treated. Keep a record of your medical visits, as these documents may be useful should you choose to pursue legal action.
3. Collect the information of the pet owner – Record the contact details of the pet owner, such as their full name, telephone number, address, and if available, their insurance policy information.
4. Collect the information of witnesses – Gather contact information from any witnesses who were present at the time of the incident. This includes obtaining their names, phone numbers, and addresses. It is important to get this information in order to have potential witnesses that can provide testimony if needed. This could help you to prove fault or support your case.
5. Photograph your wounds – It is important to take pictures of your injuries right after the accident and throughout the healing process. This can be used by your dog bite attorney as supporting evidence in your claim for compensation.
6. Contact a Lancaster personal injury lawyer – At Farahi Law Firm, our Lancaster dog bite lawyers can help you get the compensation you need, and the medical care you deserve.

Recoverable Compensation in a Dog Bite Attack

As the injured party, it is in your best interest to take legal action against the responsible party. Filing a dog bite claim will enable you to recover fair compensation for your damages and the extent of your injuries. The amount of compensation you may recover will depend on several factors of your case.

As an accident victim, you may be entitled to the following non-economic and economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills incurred due to the accident
• Physical therapy
• Property damage/loss of property
• Loss of income
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages
• And more

If the fatal dog attack led to the wrongful death of your loved one, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim and recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

Although no settlement amount can make up for the loss of a loved one, these rightful damages are meant to help the family relieve financial stress and cover financial costs such as funeral expenses and more.

Contact Our Lancaster Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury due to a dog bite, it is in your best interest to obtain the legal services of an experienced dog bite injury attorney to help guide you through the claims process. At Farahi Law Firm, our Lancaster dog bite lawyers have years of extensive experience handling these types of claims, and we are committed to winning injured clients the justice they deserve.

Not only will we handle the complex paperwork of your case, but we will also ensure to put you in touch with the best doctors. We will fight to recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and damages.

We have recovered millions of dollars for hundreds of clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay us a single cent unless we win your case. Contact us at (661) 215-8990 for a free initial consultation.