Dog Bite Personal Injury: What to Expect and How It Can Affect Your Case
Posted November 28th, 2021 by Anthony Carbone.
Categories: Personal Injury.
Dog bites are no laughing matter. They can leave nasty scars that remain with you for the rest of your life. But it’s not just physical injuries; they can also cause mental trauma and PTSD in some cases.
If a dog has bitten you, make sure to seek medical attention right away and contact North Bergen Personal Injury Attorney to learn about your legal rights after a dog bite incident. Here is what you need to know about how dog bites can affect your case:
Can You Sue For a Dog Bite Injury?
You’ve probably heard people say that it’s not the dog owner’s fault if their pet bites someone. While this is true in many cases, there are a few scenarios where you can hold the dog owner responsible for injuries caused by their pet.
For example, what if your neighbor was walking her dog and it escaped from her yard? If it attacked you without provocation, she could potentially be liable for any medical bills or other damages resulting from the attack.
What is The Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits?
Dog bite laws vary from state to state, but most states have a “statute of repose” that limits the amount of time you can file a lawsuit after an injury occurs. For example, there is a two-year statute of repose for dog bites and animal attacks in Texas.
This means that once this period has passed, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit against an owner even if they knew that their dog was dangerous.
How Long Does a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit Take to Get Resolved?
Unfortunately, it’s not an easy process to receive compensation for a dog bite. Dog owners might claim that the attack was unprovoked or that they took precautions to keep their dogs from causing injuries. This means you’ll need legal counsel on your side who can investigate what happened and make sure you get adequate compensation for all of your injuries.
Do You Need an Attorney to File a lawsuit?
Most states require you to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, which can be problematic if you don’t have an attorney on your side. While some cases are straightforward and might not require much investigation or research into relevant laws, others will need someone with experience who knows where to look to build a strong case for compensation.
How Much Can I Expect to Get for My Injuries?
This is difficult to say in most cases. It depends on:
- The severity of your injuries
- How long they last
- Any permanent damage as a result of the attack.
Dog bites can be a severe issue. Luckily, in most cases, the dog owner will have to pay for your medical bills and other expenses if their pet causes injuries to you or someone else. However, this process might take years before it is resolved, so don’t expect a quick out-of-court settlement from an insurance company representative who doesn’t know the law.
A qualified lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and avoid missing important deadlines, as well as make sure that you receive adequate compensation for your injuries.
