I always assumed that personal injury cases where pretty straight forward. After being in an accident, any financial losses that you suffered would be reimbursed by the liable party's insurance company. Unfortunately, things only work this way in a perfect world. In the real world, personal injury cases are extremely complex and getting the insurance company to pay a fair settlement requires the expertise of an experienced injury lawyer. Unfortunately, it took me several months to finally seek out the legal assistance I needed. As a result, I waited much longer than necessary to get the compensation I so desperately needed. During this time, I learned more about personal injury law than I ever thought I would. It is my hope that this blog will allow me to share that knowledge with you so that you can avoid making some of the same mistakes that I did.
You should be able to participate in outdoor activities like jogging, hiking, and walking without the fear of animal attacks. Sadly, canine attacks are becoming more common than they were in the past. Part of the problem could be the high number of pet owners and less vigilance in animal training. Fortunately, the law allows you to sue any pet owner whose reckless or negligent actions cause physical harm to another person. You should know this about canine bites, who to hold accountable, and how to do it.
Who Should be Accountable for the Injury?
You typically hold the owner accountable for injuries that their dog causes. Hence, your responsibility as the victim includes finding out who owns the animal. Even if they sought to prevent the attack, protect others, or had no reason to know the pet was dangerous, dog owners are strictly accountable for canine bites. In some cases, you could also hold non-owners liable. For example, an animal shelter or property owner that allowed a dangerous animal into their premises may be held accountable. On the other hand, tenants' harmful pets might potentially make landlords accountable. Note that consulting a lawyer will help you determine all the people you should sue.
Is It Possible for the Injured Party to Also Be Liable?
You should know that you can be held accountable for the injuries sustained after a canine attack. For example, trespassing on the owner's property may make you liable for your wounds. Under property law, owners have no responsibility of care to people who trespass if they encounter something dangerous on the property. However, you should not expect much compensation if bitten while trespassing or taking a shortcut. That said, you can still speak to a lawyer and see what other legal actions you can take.
How Will You Know the Costs to Include in Your Settlement?
Several factors determine the types of damages for which you are allowed to seek and receive compensation. Further, numerous elements determine the scope and extent of the payment you can demand. For example, the severity of the wounds and whether you were trespassing can play a role. In most cases, victims of dog attacks can often sue for damages like hospital costs, lost pay, and mental anguish. Further, victims may be entitled to compensatory and punitive damages if the circumstances show that the bite resulted from the owner's irresponsible or willful behavior.
Consult a dog bite lawyer about your injury and find out what you might be entitled to. The experts can help you get a quick and befitting settlement.
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