Santa Clara Dog Bite Lawyers CA

Causes of Dog Bite Accidents

There are many factors that can contribute to a dog becoming aggressive and biting someone. It is important to be aware of all the potential causes of dog bites in order to avoid becoming a victim of such an incident. Here are some of the most common causes of dog bites:

Frustration

Dogs can become overwhelmed just like humans, which may lead to biting out of frustration. Some common signs that a dog is becoming frustrated are growling, snapping, raised fur, and a rigid body posture. An anxious dog may also start wagging its tail, which could be easily mistaken for happiness or excitement.

Guarding

Most dogs will try to bite if they feel like their possessions are being threatened. This is especially true for mothers who are guarding their puppies. Dogs with a high level of food aggression may even bite their owner’s hand if they think their food is being taken away from them.

Pain

When a dog is in pain, it may become agitated and bite when touched. Even the most friendly dogs could become aggressive if they are in pain.

Being Startled

Dogs may feel startled or confused if they are woken suddenly, which could lead to biting. This is common in older dogs who have impaired eyesight or hearing.

Playing

Light biting, more commonly known as mouthing, is a common way in which dogs explore their environment and play. Although dogs typically do not bite with the intention of causing harm, there are some actions that may trigger aggression and cause a dog to bite. Waving your fingers in a dog’s face can be interpreted as an invitation to play, and the dog may respond by biting your hand. Similarly, striking a dog in response to playful mouthing may cause the dog to become aggressive and bite harder.

Fear

A dog may become aggressive when it feels scared or threatened. The dog may see something or someone as a danger to its territory and resort to biting as a way to protect itself.

Most Common Injuries Sustained in a Dog Bite Attack

Dog bites can cause serious bodily injury, even though they may be loving and harmless at times. Some of the most common injuries from a dog bite include:

• Broken bones
• Laceration
• Puncture wounds
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Injuries to the face
• Injuries to the head and neck
• Infection
• Avulsion
• Rabies
• And more

Some accident victims who are bitten by dogs may require surgery depending on how severe their injury is. The victim may also suffer from emotional trauma after the incident, which can last years. It is important to seek medical treatment from a professional if you have sustained dog bite injuries.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Attack

After an animal attack, it is important to take some steps to ensure that you receive the right medical care, and fair compensation, and keep the integrity of your case. It is best to work with an experienced attorney who can help improve your chances of your dog bite injury claim being successful. Here are some steps to take after a dog attack:

• Contact the police. Ensure that a police officer is at the accident scene and files a police report. Write down the number of the said report so you may procure a copy of this in the future.
• Seek medical care. You could be suffering from nerve damage or internal injuries, even if you feel you may only be suffering from minor injuries. See a medical professional immediately after the incident. Keep track of your medical records and expenses.
• Collect information. If possible, obtain insurance information from the pet owner, and note down their name, address, and phone number.
• Collect information from witnesses. If there were any witnesses at the scene, make sure to collect their information as well.
• Document your injuries. In order to more accurately document your physical injuries, be sure to take photographs of your wounds and bruises before they are treated.
• Recollect the incident. Please provide as much detail as you can remember about the events and circumstances leading up to the dog bite.
• Report the incident to the Santa Clara Animal Control Unit.

Reporting the incident will help prevent future dog attacks or bites, and the investigation into the incident can support your personal injury claim.

• Get in touch with a Santa Clara dog bite lawyer immediately. Avoid speaking to an insurance company without your personal injury lawyer present. Hiring an experienced bite attorney will ensure that your rights are protected, and you recover the monetary compensation you deserve.

Who is Responsible For a Dog Bite Attack?

In California, dog owners are held strictly liable for any damages their dog may cause, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. If you were attacked by a dog while you were on public property and not trespassing, you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

There is an exception for cases involving military or police dogs. You will not be able to file a personal injury claim 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 plans that will cover your damages if you are bitten by a dog. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the following people may be held responsible for your damages:

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

What are the Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Accident Claim?

Due to a dog’s powerful bite, these accidents may result in severe injury. As an accident injury victim, you may be eligible for compensation for the injuries and damages sustained due to the dog bite accident. The amount of compensation you are eligible for will vary depending on the factors of your case. But you may be eligible to the following compensatory damages:

• Medical expenses
• Physical therapy
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Loss of future income
• Loss of enjoyment
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Other out-of-pocket expenses
• Punitive damages
• And more

Why Should I Hire a Santa Clara Dog Bite Lawyer?

As the victim of a dog bite attack, if you wish to take legal action, it is crucial that you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The pet owner or negligent party could argue that the bite victim provoked their dog or trespassed on private property when the incident happened. The insurance company could also try to take advantage of this difficult time and try to lower the value of your claim or coerce you into accepting an unfair settlement offer.

Our team of experienced lawyers, doctors, and case managers will help you navigate the complex legal process and win you the maximum compensation you deserve. We will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on recovery.

At Farahi Law Firm, we will offer you the legal assistance you need to help you sort out these complicated situations. Our experienced dog bite accident lawyers will work hard to obtain the justice you deserve.

Contact Expert Santa Clara Dog Bite Lawyers

If you have been bitten by a dog in Santa Clara, you must contact an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible. The dedicated legal team at Farahi Law Firm has significant experience handling dog bite injury claims and will work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Our team is dedicated to winning. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for hundreds of clients. We work on a contingency fee basis and offer our clients a No Fee Guarantee. This means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case.

Contact us at (408) 715-3296 for a free case consultation. Your justice is our cause!