Moreno Valley Dog Bite Lawyer

If you are looking for the best Moreno Valley dog bite lawyer, turn to the Crockett Law Group. Whether you like or fear dogs, it’s a well-established fact that they do not bite for no reason. Dogs only attack when they feel their safety, that of their owner is compromised. This is particularly the case for dogs who have puppies. Dogs may also attack when a stranger gets too close and makes them feel uncomfortable. This is usually just a little nip, which they can also do when playing. Regardless of the reason behind a dog bite, the results can be severe. If you or a loved one has been attacked and bitten by a dog in Monroe Valley, California, you need to protect your rights and interest as soon as possible to ensure the situation doesn’t seriously impact your future. Get a reputable Monroe Valley dog bite lawyer today by contacting the Crockett Law Group at (800) 900-9393! Our Moreno Valley personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation and charge no fees unless we win your case.

What Should I Do Following a Dog Bite?

If you or a family member has been attacked by a dog, the situation can range from a bit traumatic to life-threatening. That said, here are some of the things our team recommends you should do:

Take Photos

If you are looking to make a case against the responsible party, you’ll need as much evidence as possible. One of the best ways to prove the attack is to take picture of the injuries, the dog and the location.

Get the Dog Owner’s Information

Next, you will want to get the name of the dog, its owner as well as their contact information. Keep in mind that this will be required when making a report. Our lawyers will also require this information when building your case.

Collect Witnesses’ Contact Information

If there was anyone around the vicinity who saw the attack and can confirm your story, ensure you get their names and contact information. Witness statements play a major role in proving these types of cases.

Seek Medical Attention

When treating a dog bite, there’s an array of concerns, primarily the physical damage caused by such an attack. Then you have to deal with concerns regarding infections, rabies as well as the chance of contracting tetanus. A rule of thumb is to have the dog bite examined by a doctor. Bear in mind that you will need to show medical records in order to claim for medical expenses resulting from the bite.

Report the Accident

It is imperative to report the incident to relevant authorities. That’s because a police report will play a vital role in seeking justice. It’s also advisable to report the dog bite to the California Animal Control Agency.

Keep Track of All Your Documents

You make the case stronger by collecting all the relevant information regarding the attack and recovery. This starts with the aforementioned pictures, followed by all expense records connected to the treatment and recovery. This entails hospital bills and receipts, lost wages, travel expenses, and everything else connected to the incident.

Contact a Monroe Valley Dog Bite Attorney!

Lastly, you will want to reach out to a competent dog bite lawyer to help you come up with the next best move. It’s hard to know the way forward as these situations tend to be range from relatively simple to extremely complex. A reputable dog bite lawyer from the Crockett Law Group will help you understand your legal options and fight for your rights to ensure fair compensation.

Why Hire a Dog Bite Attorney?

A dog bite can have a myriad of unexpected repercussions. An experienced Moreno Valley dog bite lawyer will help you predict your greatest needs and make sure your injuries and damages are fairly compensated by the party responsible. This includes the expenses of your whole treatment and recovery period. Although dog bite situations might seem simple and straightforward, they’re never all that easy. Your lawyer has the skills, knowledge, and experience required to navigate the complexities that come with filing a case in time and negotiating with the insurance company. A lawyer will add value in addition to bolstering the heft of your claim. If the insurance carrier cannot come to an agreement and fair settlement, our team will be ready to prepare a case that will stand well in court. It calls for skill and experience to sway the jury in your favor and you will find that our dog bite and premises liability lawyers are seasoned in this field.

Where Should You Report a Dog Bite Injury in Monroe Valley, California?

You’ll want to file a report with the local law enforcement agency. The police report will help you report the incident to the liable party’s insurance carrier. As mentioned earlier, it is also important to report the issue to the animal control agency in California. They conduct investigations and keep records of dogs that have a reputation for being aggressive and attacking people. Your information will play a vital role in keeping such records complete. In addition, you will be able to figure out whether the dog that attacked you has a history of attacking people in the past. Lastly, you’ll want to reach out to the insurance provider of the party responsible. If you’ll be retaining a lawyer, it is best to leave this task to them.

Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries in Monroe Valley, CA?

California has a strict liability law for dog bites. If you were bitten by a dog while lawfully in a public place or on private property, the owner is liable for your injuries even if they didn’t know the dog was aggressive.

What Type of Compensation Can I Expect in a Dog Bite Claim?

Dog attacks can be particularly gruesome and leave you in pain, disfigured, unable to move, and in other unfortunate situations. Death is not uncommon, especially when a big dog attacks a small child. Depending on the scope of the incident, some of the damages you or your loved one can expect to be awarded include:

Special Damages

Also referred to as economic damages, special damages are easy to award and are calculated by adding the financial losses or expenses resulting from the injury. These include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, rehabilitative costs and in case of death, funeral expenses. Special damages also cover future losses and the loss of earning capacity due to disfigurement.

Non-Economic Damages

Also known as non-financial or general damages, these entail the emotional and mental anguish that follows a dog attack. The amount for these damages is usually determined by the jury and witness testimonies that may play a role in deciding a total.

Punitive Damages

If the dog owner was willful in causing the dog bite or acted in grossly reckless behavior, then the jury may decide to award punitive damages. These are primarily meant to punish the defendant. They are also awarded to warn other dog owners not to engage in similar behavior.

What Does California Law Say About Dog Bites?

The Golden State is one of the states in the United States with strict liability dog bite laws. This means that when victims sue for dog bites, it does not matter whether the owners knew about their pet’s behavior or not. They cannot argue whether or not they knew their pets could be dangerous. However, there are some limits to this law. The dog owner can only be deemed strictly responsible if the injured individual was bitten and was in a public place or legally on private property. It is also important to note that under the dog bite statute, dog bite victims cannot seek compensation if they were bitten by military or police dogs while defending people or doing law enforcement. Also, the strict liability statute does not apply to people who were injured by dogs that did not bite them including attacks like being chased while on a bicycle or motorcycle. However, if it was a result of the owner’s negligence, you have the legal grounds to make a claim.

Dog Bite Statistics in California

Dog bites are a concern across the country. According to the CDC, about 800,000 treatments per year are specifically for dog bites. The organization also reports that half of these attacks occur on children and seniors. California happens to be the rank second for the most fatalities to dog bites, with pit bulls being the biggest culprits. Most of these bites call for medical treatment!

Hire a Moreno Valley Dog Bite Lawyer Today!

Dog bites usually happen unexpectedly, but when they happen, they tend to be frightening and traumatic. They can be life-changing and, so, you should never take the matter lightly. Even with a 2-year deadline to file your claim, it is best to call an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Our team of Moreno Valley personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group is ready to fight for your rights so call (800) 900-9393 today to learn your available legal options.