Accident Pros LLP| Top-Rated Dog Bite Lawyers, Placer County

Why might you need a dog bite attorney? Most of us love our pets and consider them part of our family. As much as we give them our love and care, they also give us the same and are loyal to a fault. Who can blame some of us for loving our pets more than we love other humans? Not all of us, however, are kind to our animals, and poor treatment of them, in addition to other factors that we, as pet owners, have no control over, can lead to certain pets becoming aggressive. Even the nicest dog can have a bad day or have something in its environment that causes it to lash out and bite or attack someone.In California, the law is structured to provide relief to victims of animal attacks. If you or someone you know was recently attacked and bitten by someone else’s dog in Placer County or anywhere in California, the attorneys at Accident Pro LLP can help you in a variety of ways, including assisting you with medical treatment at zero upfront cost to you so you can recover from your injuries and move on from the trauma.If you’d like to learn a little bit more about how the law works around dog bites in California, please read on.

Strict Liability and Dog Bites

California has a “strict liability rule” regarding dog bites. This statute is enshrined in, California Civil Code Section 3342 and it makes pet-owners legally responsible for injuries that their dogs cause, in most cases. In California the law states that owners are responsible for the actions of their pets, even if they didn’t have reason to believe their pet was dangerous. No excuses, as it would be impossible to put a dog on a stand in a trial to figure out their motive.There are, however, some exceptions to the strict liability rule.  In order to get financially compensated, the victim of the attack must be able to show that they were in a public place or were legally in the place where a dog or other animal bit them. Basically what this means is that  the dog’s owner cannot be strictly liable for their dog biting someone if that someone was trespassing or committing a crime on their property.In Placer County and the rest of California, there is a statute of limitations that applies, which means that if you were bitten by a dog, you must settle the claim or file a lawsuit within two years of the attack.Dog attacks aren’t restricted to simply bites involving their teeth perforating or tearing your skin.  For example, if a dog bites you but doesn’t break your skin, it’s still technically a bite. Also, we have had cases where a dog attacks someone by jumping on them, and injuring them by knocking them over and these injuries similarly fall under the premise of strict liability.

Animal Bites and Rabies

If you get bitten by a dog, a flesh wound may not be the only thing that you suffer. The saliva in dogs can carry other viruses and germs, including rabies which can infect your blood stream. If you were bitten by a dog, it is prudent to see your doctor or to go the emergency room as soon as possible as a precaution as there may not be any obvious signs of rabies until months after the dog bite. At that point, however, it could be too late for treatment if the disease has already traveled to your neurological system.Upon being bitten by a dog or other animal, wash the wound immediately and go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible for treatment, which may include anti-rabies shots as a preventative measure.

Common Causes of Dog Attacks

In some cases, a person may provoke a dog to attack. Teasing or unintentional provocation may result in a dog bite, especially in cases involving unsupervised children. If a person enters property and the dog feels that person shouldn’t be there, it may attack to protect what it considers its territory.

Even domesticated dogs can steadily build behavior that leads to attacks. A dog may at first bark to keep passersby away from its perceived territory. As the dog feels it is successful in keeping intruders away (such as when a jogger runs past), the dog may become bolder and begin to chase passersby. Failure of the owner to correct this behavior may lead the dog to attack passersby.
  • Obey your doctor’s orders and get the necessary therapy.
  • Maintain records of your work communications and any income losses.
  • Save all evidence relating to the accident, including photographs and contact information for witnesses.
  • Keep a journal of your medical treatment and feelings.
  • Do not provide the driver’s insurance company a statement. (Anything you say can and will be used against you in the future.)
  • Avoid using social media to promote your claim — doing so may damage it.
  • Speak with a Placer County bicycle accident attorney at Accident Pros LLP to discuss your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Accidents

What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?

After you seek medical treatment and are rested, document everything, including taking photos of your wounds and other injuries.  Also make sure to collect information from the owner of the dog, including their name and contact information.  I suggest requesting their drivers license which you can take a photograph of.  If the owner is uncooperative, contact the police to see if they can assist. 

Call us!  We will walk you through the steps and take over everything so you can focus on healing your body and your mind.  Much attention is placed on the physical wounds, however from our experience the real injuries are the psychological ones.  Having one bad experience can make you afraid of dogs for the rest of your life. Our goal is to handle your claim and get you compensated for all of your injuries, both physical and psychological.

What Is The Time Limit For Filing A Lawsuit In A Dog Bite Case?

In California, you have a maximum of two years after the dog bite to file a lawsuit. This time frame is known as the Statute of Limitations. This is the same for any other animal attack or personal injury in Placer County or anywhere in the state of California.

How Much Is My Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?

Depending on the details of your case, you could be owed compensation for:

  • Current medical bills
  • Medicine and treatment you’ll need in the future
  • Missed paychecks and lost work
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Pain and suffering you experience
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Post-traumatic stress

Our Placer County Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Can Help You.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by an animal, you have options. Contact our experienced Placer County dog bite injury attorneys at the Accident Pros LLP for a free review of your legal options. We’ll help hold the negligent parties responsible, handle communication with the insurance company and recover compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. Our consultations are always free and you’ll always get to speak to an actual attorney! Call today at 1-855-776-7557 // 1-855-PROS-LLP