Dog and Animal Bites
Statistics show that every year aggressive
dogs bite over 500,000 people, killing an average of twelve. Most dog
bite victims are children.
The law of the state in which a dog attacks will determine the rights
of the victim. California follows a "strict liability" theory in which
the dog owner is responsible for any damage caused by an attack from
their dog, irrespective of whether their dog has bitten anyone else.
California law also provides "strict liability" on owners of some
exotic pets or wild animals.
The biggest issues with dog or animal incidents is where the incident
occurred, who owns the animal, and whether the person has insurance to
cover the injuries. If the owner knew that the dog was dangerous but
did nothing to prevent the injury, other recoverable damages may come
into play as well.
What To Do After An
Accident...
After an accident you must do what is necessary to protect yourself and
your legal rights. We suggest the following:
-
Call the police and paramedics if
necessary.
-
Obtain the names and addresses of all
witnesses right away. They may need to leave the scene and go about
their business.
-
Obtain a disposable camera and
photograph
the accident scene and especially the dog or animal that attacked
you. If you cannot photograph the animal, take
extensive notes about it's name, breed, size, color, location,
etc. Also look to see if the animal owner has posted any
"beware of dog" type signs on the property.
-
Report the accident to the dog owner and
local animal control, but do not give an extensive
statement until you have spoken with a lawyer.
-
Make a notation for your records of how
the incident occurred. In addition to the information mentioned
above, be sure to note the date and time of the incident,
location of the incident, names of all witnesses, namesand dates of the
persons to whom you reported the incident to, weather
conditions, name address and telephone number of the animal's owner as
well as their insurance information and what you were wearing at the
time. Keep any clothing or other evidence of the attack.
If You
Are Injured...
If you have any physical complaints after the accident, you should seek
medical attention right away. Any delay in seeking medical care can
negatively effect your case. An emergency room can provide an
immediate evaluation and diagnostic tests such as x-rays.
Alternatively, see your family doctor. Either way, be sure to
tell any medical personnel all
of the physical complaints you are
having. Don't leave any complaints unmentioned, even if they are
minor! Also be sure to photograph any visible injuries
immediately, such as bruises, scrapes, broken bones, etc. Always
remember that a picture is worth a thousand words!
Remember That Time Is
Of
The Essence...
You should not delay in speaking with a lawyer after an accident, no
matter how minor the accident may be. A successful case must be
investigated immediately. Evidence must be preserved. Additionally, the
law provides certain time limitations in which action must be taken. If
the required action is not taken within that time, your case will be
lost forever!
Contact Us Today at (310)
578-9777
for a Free Consultation!
Don't Delay!
Any delay in contacting a lawyer can damage your case!
Contact
us
for more info
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