Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyers CA

What Makes Dogs Bite?

There are several reasons why dogs may bite. Oftentimes we are unaware of what we may have done to provoke an otherwise friendly dog to attack. To prevent future dog bite accidents from happening, it is best to understand the main reasons why dogs bite. 

Feeling Frustrated

If a dog feels threatened or uncomfortable, it may bite. Dogs may also bite out of frustration if they are hindered from getting something they want. These bites are called redirected bites. 

Fear

Dogs may become aggressive and bite when they feel scared or threatened. It is important to be careful when approaching a dog, even if they seem friendly, as you may be entering its personal space and causing them to feel uncomfortable.

Guarding

Dogs may bite in an attempt to protect themselves or their belongings. Some dogs have aggressive tendencies and may attack if they feel like someone is intruding on their territory or harming a loved one. 

Pain

When a dog is in pain, it may become overwhelmed and stressed, which can cause them to bite. It’s important to be careful when handling or touching a sick or injured dog, as they may bite out of pain. 

Being Startled

Dogs tend to bite when they are startled or surprised, especially if they are woken up suddenly. This may occur because the dog is confused and may not know or understand what is happening. It is important to be careful and gentle when waking a dog and to teach others to do the same. 

Play

Mouthing is a term used by dog owners to describe when their dog uses their mouth to play or explore their surroundings. This can sometimes result in the dog biting, which is usually just part of the play.

Who Is At Risk For a Dog Bite Attack?

Children are at the greatest risk for sustaining a dog bite injury due to their small size and playful nature. In fact, over half of all dog bite accident victims are children, with 26% of those requiring an emergency room visit.

According to the Injury Epidemiology Journal, most dog bite injuries occur with dogs that have owners or are familiar to the injury victim. The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh also reports that dog bite injuries are more common than bike-related or playground-related injuries.

Dog bites are more common in young boys than in girls. As pet ownership increases, it is important for pet owners and parents to be careful when their children are around new people or dogs.

Most Common Dog Bite Injuries

Bite incidents can result in severe injuries and emotional trauma, these types of injuries can greatly affect the quality of life of an accident victim. Some of the most common injuries include: 

• Lacerations – A cut or wound to the skin that is caused by a sharp object is called a laceration. If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to see a doctor right away to prevent infection.
• Puncture wounds – Puncture wounds from dog bites are common and can be very dangerous, as they can easily become infected. If an infection sets in, it can be life-threatening. Victims of dog bites should take care to clean their wounds and watch for signs of infection.
• Face injuries – Facial injuries are extremely common in dog bite attacks. In cases where facial injuries are severe, some victims may require reconstructive surgery.
• Broken bones – When a dog bites someone, the force of their bite can fracture bones in their hands, fingers, or arms.
• Infection – Whether a dog bite results in infection is a primary concern. About 10-15% of dog bites typically result in infection, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
• Avulsion – Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including avulsions, this is when a body part is ripped or torn away.

Who Can Be Held Liable For a Dog Bite Injury?

The state of California has “strict liability” dog-bite laws. According to the California Civil Code 3342, the owner is liable for any losses caused by their dog, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. If you were attacked by a dog while on public property, you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

There is an exemption for cases involving military or police dogs. You will not be able to file a dog bite claim in this case if the dog was defending itself from an act that was annoying, harassing, or provoking, or if the dog was assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following ways:

• 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 that may cover their injuries and economic damages. The amount of compensation that the attack victim receives will depend on the situation. The following may be held liable:

• Dog owner insurance
• Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
• Personal umbrella liability policies
• Auto liability insurance

What To Do After a Dog Bite Attack

After being injured in a dog bite accident, it is crucial that you take the proper steps to ensure that you receive the right medical care and protect your legal rights. If you wish to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the animal attack, taking the following reasonable steps will help strengthen your case and increase the chances of receiving a fair settlement for your injuries and damages.

1. Contact the police – After the incident, you must contact the police immediately and ensure a police officer files an accident report. Gather the details of your accident report from the officer. Your Sacramento dog bite lawyer may use this as evidence to help strengthen your claim.
2. Seek medical attention immediately – Whether or not you suspect your injuries to be minor, it is important to attain medical care to make sure there are no internal injuries or other problems that might not be immediately apparent. Remember to keep a copy of your medical records, these may be important to your case as well.
3. Collect the information of the pet owner – Record the pet owner’s information such as their name, contact number, address, and if possible, their insurance company information.
4. Collect the information of witnesses – If there are any witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information as well.
5. Photograph your wounds – It is crucial that you photograph your injuries after the accident and during the healing process. This can be used as evidence by your Sacramento dog bite lawyer to help support your claim for compensation.
6. Contact a dog bite injury attorney – It is in your best interest to obtain legal representation from an experienced attorney to help guide you through the legal process of your dog bite injury claim.

Recoverable Compensatory Damages in a Dog Bite Claim

As the injured person, you may be able to take legal action against the party responsible. The bite settlement amount you could receive from your claim will depend on different factors related to your case.

You may be compensated for the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Physical therapy
• Plastic surgery costs
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss in life quality
• Other out-of-pocket expenses
• And more

Contact Our Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a dog attack, it is crucial to obtain the legal assistance of an experienced bite attorney. Farahi Law Firm’s Sacramento dog bite lawyers offer our clients aggressive representation and commit to recovering the maximum compensation possible.

We work on a contingency fee basis and offer a No Fee Guarantee policy. This means you won’t have to pay us a single cent unless we win. Contact us at (916) 471-4797 for a free case consultation. You don’t have to pay a single cent unless we win.