Dog bite injury cases are usually very unpleasant and painful experiences. If you have suffered personal injuries due to a dog bite, you may be eligible to get a lawsuit to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages. Many dog owners purchase insurance in order to cover such claims when their pet accidentally bites another person. However, many people who do not have this type of coverage run the risk of never being able to obtain the money they need to recover from these circumstances. Insurance costs are a lot more than the actual amount of damage caused by the dog bite. This is why it is crucial that you know how to locate a dog bite attorney who will help you recover the funds you are entitled to.
How to pick a Dog Bit Attorney
The term “dog bite attorney” refers to those experienced in handling these types of cases who are on the plaintiff’s side, or are on the defendant’s side. These lawyers represent the plaintiff (the person seeking damages) or the defendant (who is responsible for the dog’s behavior). While there are different types of cases handled by these professionals, they all generally proceed in similar ways.
You will need to discuss with your personal injury attorney the details of your particular situation and how much money you would like to obtain from the case. Your personal injury attorney will usually require medical reports and other proof that you sustained injuries, such as X-rays and other records that may be useful in your case. The settlement amount will depend on many factors including the extent of your injuries, the value of your car or other property damaged, and the value of any future wages you may receive as a result of your injuries. Personal injury attorneys are skilled at getting the most amount of a settlement for their clients as possible. They do this by using tactics and negotiating skills that are beyond the norm.
You should keep in mind that these types of attorneys do not take clients’ cases for free. If the firm cannot afford to take your case, your only option may be to hire a free consultation offered by the attorney. Many attorneys offer free consultations to potential clients. If your case is such that a free consultation is warranted, you should arrange to have this consultation before making any commitment to the attorney.
Starting with a Free Consultation
During your free consultation, the attorney will determine if he or she will be able to reach a settlement based on the information and evidence provided to him or her. If so, the attorney will then proceed with pursuing your case in earnest. If no agreement can be reached, your attorney may file paperwork in an effort to obtain compensation for the injury or loss of wages suffered by you and/or your family. This paperwork must be filed with the court in which your injury occurred. It will be very important for you to read all of the pertinent papers thoroughly before signing any agreement. Any misrepresentation made to you by your dog bite attorney may result in you being unable to obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Dog bite injuries are extremely painful and can cause permanent damage to the body. As the victim, it is vital that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. If the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend that you seek to have surgery to repair the damage. There are many things that your attorney can do to represent your best interests in court. These things include gathering medical records to prove that the injury is indeed the fault of the dog. The filing of paperwork with the court system and the negotiation of a settlement amount are just two ways in which your attorney can help you recoup damages from your dog bite.
Contacting an Attorney Immediately After the Attack
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney immediately following an attack. Consulting a dog bite attorney who also handles other dog bite cases can help you assess your options and decide upon the best course of action. Your attorney will work directly with the dog’s owner, dog owner’s attorney, the head of the dog breed organization, and their insurer. You will be advised to speak with a doctor if the dog bit is not a mild bite.
Your first step should be to contact your local law enforcement authorities. They will notify you and advise you to contact a dog bite attorney. The injured party then has a right to file a claim against the owner of the dog that was responsible for the attack. This claim is often covered by your insurance company, which covers you in the event you are injured in such an accident.
Determining that Fault of the Attack
Once you have contacted the police and fire department, you need to determine who was at fault for the attack. If you were attacked while on duty at work, you should contact an attorney that handles such cases. If you were off-duty, you should contact a private attorney that handles such cases. The head of the local dog bite law firm should be consulted. He or she is familiar with state laws and their coverage as well. Your attorney may have suggestions on how to file the claim properly and recover your medical expenses and losses.
In some states, the injured party may have a civil suit against the owner of the dog. In these instances, your attorney will file a lawsuit to recover your medical expenses and losses. In a civil suit, damages are recovered when there is a judgment rendered against the person or entity responsible for the attack. To succeed in a civil suit, your attorney must prove that the defendant is legally responsible for the attack. These lawsuits are generally instituted by government entities like the city or county.
When you contact your attorney for legal advice, they will provide you with a free consultation. During this consultation, he or she will review your case details and get back to you with a consultation plan on how to best handle your claim. After you have met with them to discuss your dog bite injury, they will provide you with a list of applicable insurance carriers that carry these policies, the forms you need to fill out, contact information for the carriers, a schedule for the medical attention they will pay for, and other information needed to take you through the claims process.
Summary
It is important to remember that dog bites can occur when the owner is negligent. When you are harmed because of the negligence of the owner, you have a claim that the owner is legally responsible for the attack. A qualified dog bite lawyer will work to establish and recover your damages.
