When Dogs Bite Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer To Bite Back

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According to a survey performed by the American Pet Product's Association, approximately 69 million households own a dog. Although dogs are wonderful pets, anyone can face an unfortunate circumstance where they find themselves a victim of a dog bite. In fact, statistics show that roughly 4.5 million dog bites happen each year, and around 800,000 of those often require medical care. If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney to help you bite back.

The Most Common Victim of Dog Bites

Unfortunately, children are often the most common victim of dog bites. It goes without saying that children love dogs. They often run up to a dog without realizing the dog might be aggressive or skittish, which results in an unnecessary bite. It is estimated that children account for 51% of all dog bite incidents with children between the ages of 5 and 9 being the most likely victims.

Reasons Dogs Bite

Believe it or not, most dog bites occur in a familiar place. In other words, a dog belonging to a friend or family member is often the dog that will bite a person. The reason children are often victims is that they are unable to interpret a dog's body language. In general, dogs bite in the following situations:

  • When the dog is feeling unwell
  • When the dog is suddenly started (someone comes up on the dog suddenly, particularly when the dog is sleeping)
  • The dog is playing around and accidentally nips too hard (avoid rough play with an animal that may lead to excitement and the belief that playful nipping is an okay behavior)
  • When the dog is feeling stressed
  • When the dog feels scared
  • When the dog is looking to protect their human family or a litter of new puppies

Understanding why a dog bites can help you avoid the dangers of becoming a victim.

Dangers of a Dog Bite

Although most dog bites are minor and do not require medical attention, that does not make them any less dangerous. Children are often the ones that suffer from the most extensive damages after they are bit by a dog. A dog bite can easily lead to a serious infection. Punctures to the skin or tissue are also a concern. Keep in mind that a dog bite of any kind requires immediate medical attention.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If you or your child are the victims of a dog bite, it is important that you talk with a qualified personal injury attorney. An attorney can assist you in making sure you are compensated for any injuries you may receive as the result of a dog bite. Most states throughout the U.S. will hold the dog owner liable for a dog bite. On average, the cost of a dog bite claim is roughly $43,653.

As it currently stands, Florida, New Hampshire, and New York have the highest claim costs for dog bites, whereas California, Florida, and Texas experienced the highest dog bite claims as of 2019. California alone had 2,396 claims totaling a cost of $122.83 million. The best way to file a successful claim is with the help of an attorney.

Make sure you have documented proof of the bite, such as medical records. A dog owner, especially a friend or family member may try to talk you out of filing a claim. However, a dog bite can lead to serious damages that can impact you for weeks, months, or even life. Therefore, you deserve compensation for your injury. Speak with a personal injury attorney today to find out more about what you can do about filing a dog bite injury claim.

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26 October 2021

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