Dog Bites in Riverside, CA

DOG BITE INJURY/ANIMAL ATTACK ATTORNEYS

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Dogs bite roughly 5 million people a year in the United States Almost half of those injured are kids, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims. Approximately 800,000 Americans annually seek medical attention for injuries from dog bites, and 386,000 need emergency room treatment. About 16 people die every year after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's figures do not consider the psychological trauma of experiencing an animal attack.

It is a simple fact of life that dogs bite. This includes any dog of any breed. A dog bite can be anything from a nip to a traumatic attack that leaves a severe injury. A serious injury sustained in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog bite victim to seek reimbursement for all medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damage caused by the bite.

If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that took place in the Riverside area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, want to assist you.

SERIOUS INJURIES FROM DOG ATTACKS

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a minor injury that bruises an individual who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that includes biting and scratching that causes considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also cause significant emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, approximately 885,000 dog bite victims every year-- or 20 percent of all of those that are bitten by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

• Children ages 5-9
• Elderly individuals
• Post letter carriers

Dogs most often bite an individual's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Typical injuries in dog attacks include:

• Cuts, bruises and scratches
• Puncture wounds
• Tearing (avulsion)
• Dislocations
• Bone fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing (head/ skull injuries)

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website about dangerous dog breeds, reports that severe dog attacks can cause acute injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC specifies that approximately 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This may consist of skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim may need a number of procedures over many years.

SEEKING COMPENSATION AFTER A DOG BITE

Dog bite victims might pursue compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Other relevant losses

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, possibly, a third party if that party's negligence caused the injury.

People that have been seriously injured by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through civil legal action and contact a dog attack attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The settlement recouped in a dog bite case almost always comes from the dog owner's insurance, such as homeowners' insurance or business liability insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance report that dog attacks accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog bite cases was $27,862.

An experienced lawyer can examine your dog bite case to establish whether the dog's owner is liable and determine the settlement you may be due for your injuries.

Several cases can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance company. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would prepare to seek suitable compensation for you in court.

TAKING ACTION AFTER AN ATTACK

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend that has been wounded by a dog bite. Here are some steps you should try to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any dog bite should be seen by a physician.
• Immediately report the incident to the police and acquire a copy of the police accident report.
• Get the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any people who witnessed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries along with the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have suffered as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Save any kind of clothing that might have been damaged by the animal.
• Save and, ideally, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not interact with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance provider. If you accept any form of reimbursement, you may forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR DOG ATTACK LAWYERS

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog bite injury or other animal attack that resulted in serious injury or scarring, you have rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Riverside dog attack lawyer at the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, right away and arrange a free consultation.

We will supply a team of legal professionals, medical professionals and investigators that are committed to your case. We can help you make informed decisions concerning your legal options. Our dog bite attorneys will work hard to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.