Sun Valley Dog Bite Lawyer

How often do dog bites happen?

Many dog bites happen every year. In 2017, 2,228 claims were filed with homeowners’ policies for injuries that were sustained in dog attacks. The CDC reports that an average of 4.5 million dog bite injuries occurs in the U.S. every year. Finally, the Insurance Information Institute reports that $686 million in claims were paid out for dog attacks in the U.S. just in 2017.

How to know if your dog bite qualifies for a lawsuit

In California, dog owners are held to be strictly liable when their dogs bite others in public or bite people who are legally on private property. It doesn’t matter whether the owner knew that the dog had a violent or aggressive propensity. If you were bitten and suffered injuries while you were lawfully present on private property or when you were in public, your bite qualifies for a lawsuit if you suffered damages.

Common injuries from dog bites

Dog bite injuries can be very serious. It is common for people who are attacked by dogs to suffer several common injuries, including the following:

• Puncture wounds
• Infections
• Lacerations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring
• Fractures
• Death

People at the highest risk of serious injuries in dog attacks

Children who are between the ages of 0 and 20 months account for 67 percent of all of the children who are killed by dogs. Children who are younger than age 8 make up 38 percent of the overall dog attack deaths. Among adults, people who are older than 50 account for 75 percent of the dog bite fatalities. Women are much likelier to be killed in dog attacks and comprise 75 percent of the fatalities to people who are older than age 21.

What you should do after a dog attack

After you have been attacked by a dog, ask someone to call 911 or do so yourself. It is important for you to get medical care. Dog bites can carry diseases such as rabies and are subject to infections. Try to get a photograph of the dog and the location where the attack occurred. If the dog’s owner is present, get his or her name and contact information. If you can, get the names and information of any witnesses who saw what happened.

When you should contact a Sun Valley dog bite lawyer

In California, dog bite lawsuits must be filed no later than two years after the attacks happen. If you don’t file your claim within this time period, you won’t be able to recover damages. Contact a Sun Valley dog bite attorney at our law firm today to schedule an appointment.