Visalia Dog Bite Lawyers CA

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

Due to their small size and playful nature, it is not surprising that children face the most risk of a dog bite injury. In fact, over 50% of dog bite accident victims are children, and 26% of them will require emergency room visits.

According to an article by the Injury Epidemiology Journal, dogs with owners or familiar dogs cause most dog bite injuries. Similarly, an article by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh states that dog bite injuries are more common than bike injuries or playground injuries.

Dog bite attacks also occur more frequently in young boys than in girls. As pet ownership rises each year, pet owners and parents alike must stay vigilant when children are near dogs or new people.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dogs bite for a number of reasons. Occasionally, we aren’t even aware of what we might have done to provoke an otherwise “friendly” dog. Ultimately, knowing and understanding the main reasons why dogs bite is the best way to prevent future accidents.

Below are some of the most common reasons why dogs bite:

Being Startled

Dogs are very likely to bite when caught off guard, especially if something startles them awake. As a result, this confusion could lead a dog to bite or attack. This is also especially true for older dogs or dogs with impaired hearing or eyesight. Therefore, remember to be gentle when waking your dog and teach others the same practice.

Pain

Pain can cause a dog to feel overwhelmed and stressed, which in turn leads them to bite. Similarly, dogs in pain tend to bite when you handle or touch them. Always stay vigilant when touching or caring for a sick or injured dog.

Feeling Frustrated

If a dog feels trapped or stuck in an unpleasant situation, it will bite. Dogs can also bite out of frustration when something holds them back from reaching what they want. Experts refer to these as redirected bites.

Guarding

A dog may feel the urge to bite when it fears that someone is taking away a prized possession, such as food or toys. In addition, dogs may bite in an effort to protect their loot. Some dogs have strong guarding tendencies and may attack if they believe someone is intruding on the household or hurting a loved one.

Fear

Indeed, fear is a very common reason why dogs bite. Most of a dog’s aggressive behavior stems from fear. Consequently, dogs can feel overwhelmed when someone they are unsure of enters their space, causing them to lash out to protect themselves. For this reason, it is important to stay vigilant when approaching a dog, regardless of whether it seems friendly at first. After all, you may be encroaching on its space, which could cause it to become aggressive.

Play

Finally, dog owners are familiar with the practice called mouthing. This is a dog’s way of both playing and exploring its surroundings. Biting can also happen in relation to mouthing as a form of play.

Most Common Dog Bite Injuries

Unfortunately, dog bite accidents can lead to severe injuries that greatly affect the accident victim’s quality of life. In addition, some of these injuries may require prolonged medical attention. Below are some of the most common dog bite injuries:

• Face injuries – This is one of the most common injuries in dog bite attacks. In some cases, these injuries may require reconstructive surgery and could also result in scarring.
• Puncture wounds – Because of their powerful jaws, dogs often cause puncture wounds. Victims who sustain these wounds face a real risk of infection. Once infection sets in, it can become life-threatening and extremely dangerous.
• Broken bones – As mentioned earlier, a dog’s powerful jaws can also fracture bones. As a result, dog bite victims may suffer fractures in their hands, fingers, or arms.
• Lacerations – A laceration is a skin wound or cut from a sharp object. A doctor must treat lacerations from a dog bite immediately to avoid the onset of infection.
• Avulsion – These devastating injuries result in the ripping or tearing away of tissue. For instance, if a dog rips your finger from your hand, doctors would consider this an avulsion. This kind of injury requires immediate medical attention.
• Infection – The risk of infection is a primary concern after a dog bite accident. In fact, about 10%–15% of dog bites result in infection. If a doctor does not treat it immediately, an infection may have life-threatening consequences.

What Should You Do After a Dog Bite Accident?

First, it is important to know the right steps to take after a dog bite accident. These steps help ensure that you receive the correct medical treatment and that you protect your rights. Furthermore, they strengthen any bite injury claim against the at-fault party. In turn, that helps you pursue fair compensation for your damages and injuries.

Steps to Take Right After a Dog Bite in Visalia

1. Contact the police – Immediately after the incident, call 911 and ask that a police officer file an accident report. Also, don’t forget to collect the details of that report.
2. Seek medical attention immediately – Even if your injuries seem minor, seek professional care. This rules out internal injuries that may not appear right away.
3. Collect the pet owner’s information – Write down the name, phone number, address, and, if possible, the insurance information of the pet owner.
4. Collect witness information – If any witnesses are present at the time of the accident, gather their contact information as well.
5. Photograph your wounds – Photograph your wounds immediately and continue to document the healing process. Later, your Visalia dog bite lawyer may use these photos as evidence to strengthen your claim.
6. Write down the events – As best you can, record the sequence of events with as much detail as possible.
7. Keep track of your medical records – Remember to save your hospital bills and any other expenses from the accident. As a result, your personal injury lawyer can pursue a fair amount for your injury settlement.
8. Contact an experienced Visalia dog bite lawyer – Finally, contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Meanwhile, do not speak to an insurance company without your lawyer present.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover From a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

As the injured party, you have every right to take legal action against the at-fault party. After all, that person is responsible for your injuries and damages. However, the amount of compensation you may recover will vary depending on the specific factors of your case.

Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to the following compensatory damages:

• Medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Loss of income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment
• Loss of consortium
• And more

In addition, a dog bite accident may cause the wrongful death of your loved one. In that case, you may be entitled to financial compensation for their accident-related injuries and damages. Because these claims are complex, you should keep a knowledgeable Visalia dog bite lawyer by your side. That lawyer can help you navigate the wrongful death process and pursue a fair settlement.

Hire Expert Visalia Dog Bite Lawyers Today

If a dog bite accident has injured you or a loved one, you should seek legal representation from an experienced Visalia dog bite lawyer. At Farahi Law Firm, our skilled attorneys work diligently to pursue fair compensation for our clients.

During this difficult time, a dedicated personal injury lawyer can manage all communications with insurance companies. As a result, you can focus on healing instead of paperwork.

Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars for hundreds of accident victims. Moreover, we offer a No Fee Guarantee, which means you won’t pay us a single cent unless we win your case.

So don’t hesitate to contact us today. Call us at (559) 315-4111 for a free case consultation.