Riverside Dog Bite Lawyers

Riverside Dog Attack Attorney

Dogs bite almost 2% of people in the United States each year. Children are in particular danger of being bitten by a dog and of suffering severe injuries, due to their inexperience with dogs and the fact that they are smaller and more easily overcome by a dog.

While some dog bites may induce little discomfort or danger, others may cause long-term disfigurement, pain and disability. If you or a loved one are the victim of a dog bite, in Riverside County or elsewhere, you should contact an experienced Riverside dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to make sure that your rights to compensation are preserved.

What to Do When a Dog Bites

A dog attack is a frightening experience that can leave the victim overwhelmed with pain and emotion. What should the victim of a dog bite do?

• Get medical treatment: Even if the dog bite injury does not seem to be a bad one, see a doctor immediately to prevent infection and for further treatment, if such is necessary. Take photographs of the dog bit area before and after treatment, if possible.

• Identify the dog that bit you and locate its owner: The dog's owner is responsible for paying for damage its dog causes, and the owner's homeowner's insurance will usually cover dog bite claims.

• Report the dog attack: Make a report to the local animal control agency or police department.

• Preserve Evidence of the dog attack: Take pictures of injuries, the location of the dog attack and of the dog, and save torn or soiled clothing worn at the time of the dog bite incident. If witnesses saw you being attacked, take down their names and contact information.

• Contact a Riverside dog bite attorney: Your case will be stronger if you contact a Riverside dog attack lawyer sooner, rather than later, so that he or she can do an immediate investigation of your claim, make sure evidence is preserved, locate witnesses and speak on your behalf with the dog's owner and his or her insurance carrier.

Who May Be Responsible For Your Dog-Bite Injuries?

In most states, a dog's owner will be held responsible for compensating a dog bite victim only if the dog has attacked someone before or has shown a propensity to be vicious. This so-called "one bite rule" does not apply in California, however, where the law holds dog owners liable for dog-bite related harm if:

• The defendant owned the dog;

• The dog bite attack occurred on public property or while the victim was lawfully on private property;

• The victim was bitten during the dog attack; and

• The dog caused the injury.

In addition to the dog's owner, under certain circumstances others may be held responsible for a dog bite victim's injuries. For example, if the dog is being kept at a kennel or by another type of dog keeper, that person or entity may be responsible for dog attack injuries, although such caretakers benefit from the traditional "one bite rule," even in California. Other possible sources for recovery in dog bite cases are residential and commercial property landlords, although the rules concerning their responsibility are more complicated than those pertaining to dog owners. An expert Riverside dog bite lawyer will be able to advise you as to these parties' potential liability in your dog attack case.

Damages for Dog Attack Injuries

A good Riverside dog bite attorney will seek all the damages you may be entitled to following a dog attack. Depending on the circumstances of your dog bite case, you might receive damages to cover:

• Medical bills (both past and future)

• Lost income

• Pain and suffering

• Medical monitoring

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Lifetime care costs

• Wrongful death

• Punitive damages

Choosing the Right Riverside Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, or otherwise injured in a dog attack, you should immediately seek the assistance of a qualified Riverside dog bite lawyer who will work hard to make sure you or your loved one are compensated for all physical and psychological injuries suffered.

The Reeves Law Group has a proven track record in obtaining the best results possible for thousands of personal injury claimants, including dog bite victims. The firm has the necessary resources see your dog attack claim to its successful conclusion, and the expertise to get you the compensation you are entitled to for your dog bite injuries. For a free consultation on your dog attack case, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or e-mail us.