Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont rush in to protect victims after a frightening dog bite incident. Victims, especially children, can end up with severe bite wounds while visiting a friend’s or family member’s house. We make sure victims get the care they need and that insurance companies fully cover the cost of that care. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation legal consultation. It’s an easy way to help families figure out what they’ll need to demand to ensure the victims have the best chance for recovery.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite?
Unless you or a loved one only receives minor scratches or mild bruising, you should speak to a skilled Fremont dog bite lawyer about your case. Dog owners, including your own family members, will have homeowners insurance to help victims through recovery, but insurance adjusters often work very hard to avoid having to accept blame.
Insurers can also downplay the seriousness of an injury so they can get away with providing less in support. Your attorney fully investigates the accident. The evidence secured is used to build a strong case and to make it easier to demand the maximum compensation available on behalf of a victim.
Dog Bite Dangers at a Family Member’s Home
Dogs are welcome additions to many Fremont homes, and chances are many of your friends and family members have pets. Unfortunately, dogs can get nervous when someone comes to visit, and some pets will get protective, and a bite incident might occur.
This circumstance may arise when family members host parties or get-togethers. It could occur in a living room or in a backyard.
You might simply drop in for a quick visit with a friend and suffer a bite. A dog may have never bitten someone before, or maybe an owner forgot to confine an anxious pet to another room. Dog owners would usually be responsible for bites under most circumstances.
Dog Bite Dangers for Children at Family Gatherings
Of course, children are too often the victims of bites. They may be visiting grandparents or a friend’s home for a party where a dog is roaming free. Children have a lot of energy and their curiosity can cause dogs to become confused or feel threatened. A child might corner a dog hoping to pet it when a bite occurs.
Children also can suffer more severe injuries. They are smaller, and their heads, necks, faces, and vital organs will be within the reach of a frightened dog. Their skin and muscles are also less developed and less about to resist penetrating fangs. A child’s bones aren’t as strong and are more easily broken. You can read more about how a Fremont Child Dog Bite Lawyer can help victims out on our website.
The best care available will be needed for victims no matter their age, but that care will come at an enormous cost. Your attorney can battle insurance adjusters who may try to blame the victim for the bite or downplay the severity of a wound. Your attorney fights back against these tactics and demands the most possible for victims.
Who is Responsible for a Dog Bite in California?
California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. It means that dog owners are held accountable for most instances of dog bites and are financially responsible for recovery costs. The responsibility is covered in Section 3342 of the California Civil Code.
The Civil Code explains that the dog owner is responsible, even if the dog has never been aggressive before. If a bite occurs, dog owners are usually liable. They would be expected to restrain a dog or put the dog in a room where guests wouldn’t be exposed.
After a bite, the liability for the owner would apply as long as a few things weren’t true:
- The victim provoked the dog
- The victim was trespassing when bitten
Neither circumstance would usually apply if you were bitten by a family member’s dog. In most cases, you would be invited onto the property by a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle and not trespassing.
The provoking part probably wouldn’t apply to children either. Children aren’t considered to have the maturity to make good decisions or have the instincts to know when they are making a dog uncomfortable. It would still be up to the family member to keep the dog away from the child and prevent stressful situations. Dog enclosures and fenced yards must be secure enough as to not allow young children easy access.
Should I File a Dog Bite Claim Against a Family Member?
You may feel confused about whether you should ask for financial help from a dog owner, especially if it’s a family member or close friend. However, that claims process generally doesn’t target the dog owner directly.
The dog owner will have homeowners or renter’s insurance that should cover the medical costs and any other hardships the victim experiences. Your close relatives and friends pay their insurance premiums in case of just such an accident. They are also your cherished loved ones and they will want you or your child to receive support to make a full recovery.
You may feel like bringing in a lawyer for your case would be the wrong look, but your lawyer would be fighting with the insurance company. Your attorney would fight to make sure the insurance company didn’t get away with offering you less than you needed to rebuild your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to file a dog bite accident claim?
Victims have up to two years to file an injury claim with an insurance company. Waiting longer will usually mean the claim is thrown out.
What if I can’t afford to pay a dog bite lawyer?
You can afford strong legal representation from Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fremont. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee is paid out of the award an insurance company must send you.
What kind of compensation can I receive from an insurance company after a dog bite?
Your lawyer seeks compensation to cover every medical bill and the cost of care estimated to be needed in the future. You must also consider the time you’ve missed at work and seek reimbursement. The physical pain and emotional trauma you’ve had to cope with must also be compensated.
Contact a Fremont CA Dog Bite Lawyer Today for More Information
If you have suffered a serious injury from a dog bite, speak with a Fremont dog bite lawyer to ensure your rights as a victim are protected. The insurance company might try to pin the blame on you or your child in hopes of avoiding paying you the settlement money needed to move forward. This is unacceptable.
We are here to provide you with the resources you need to hold a family member’s insurance provider responsible. Please contact our dog bite accident lawyers serving victims of Alameda County for a free case consultation. If you feel we can earn more for your recovery, you won’t need any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and then our fee comes out of the support an insurance company is forced to pay.