You seek medical treatment for your injuries before filing a claim with the owner’s home or renters insurance.
However, dog bite injury situations are not always so straightforward. Liability in dog bite lawsuits can be difficult, and state and municipal regulations may affect the validity of your case as well as the number of damages you might receive.
That is why it is critical to call a dog bite injury lawyer as soon as you are injured. The following are five reasons why engaging an attorney after a dog attack is in your best interests.
1. Serious Injuries Caused By Dog Bites And Attacks
Dogs can be quite affectionate, but they can also be extremely violent. This hostility might manifest itself in bites that cause significant injury.
The most susceptible parts of the body to dog bites are the head and face, the neck, and the hands. Bite wounds in these regions can cause:
- Severe punctures and lacerations
- Severe bleeding
- Bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Muscle, ligament, tendon, and soft tissue injury
- Nerve damage
Dogs’ mouths are packed with hazardous pathogens, in addition to the damage you may receive from the bite. You risk developing a dangerous infection if the wound is not sterilized and treated.
Medical care for a dog bite can be significant, especially if you require surgery, physical therapy, or counseling as a result of the incident’s stress. If the dog’s owner is accountable for the bite, you should not have to bear these costs on your own.
2. Liability For Dog Bites
Dog owners are responsible for preventing their pets from hurting others. This includes walking them on a leash, placing “Beware of Dog” signs, and adopting other preventative measures.
If the dog’s owner is careless, he or she may be held accountable for the damage caused by the dog. The owner and his or her insurance company, on the other hand, would very probably allege that you were at least largely to blame for the attack.
The following are two of the most typical defenses in a dog bite lawsuit:
- The victim agitated the dog
- The victim was trespassing, and the dog was defending its turf.
The effectiveness of these defenses varies depending on the rules governing dog bites (more on that in the next section), but it is critical to anticipate these arguments when seeking compensation for a dog bite injury. A skilled attorney can examine the facts and gather evidence to back up your claim.
3. Local Dog Bite Regulations
The rules governing legal remedies for dog bites and assaults differ from state to state. There are a few key variances in dog bite legislation between Denver and Indiana that may influence your case.
Denver Dog Bite Law
Dog owners in Denver are subject to strict responsibility laws. As a result, individuals are responsible for harm caused by their dogs even if the dog has not previously displayed violent behavior.
Furthermore, the trespassing and provocation defenses outlined above are not recognized by Denver law. In the event of a bite or assault, dog owners are responsible for damages regardless of the circumstances.
Although the sufferer is entitled to compensation, the amount they might get may be lowered if they share responsibility for their injury. Denver’s pure comparative negligence rule, like in other personal injury cases, limits the amount of compensation available in a claim based on the claimant’s level of responsibility.
Assume you are bitten by an uncontrolled dog and file a lawsuit against the owner. You will receive 75% of the reimbursement if you are deemed to be 25% to blame for the dog bite because you provoked the animal.
Finally, Denver dog bite victims have only one year to file a claim for their injuries.
4. Get The Most Money For Your Dog Bite Case
The business supplying the dog’s owner with homes or renters insurance will try to pay you as little as possible for your claim. Trying to negotiate a settlement on your own has a lot of drawbacks, and your recovery from your injuries should be your main concern.
An expert dog bite lawyer Denver can manage insurance company discussions and negotiations on your behalf. Your attorney will be aware of the insurance company’s methods and will devise a strategy to obtain the money you deserve.
Your reimbursement should cover all of your damages as a result of the dog bite. This covers not only your medical bills, but also any lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, scars and deformity, and other factors.
