Tips For Dealing With A Dog Bite Injury Case
While dogs can be quite the lovable pets, there is always a risk of being bitten by the dog of a friend, neighbor, or a stranger. If this happens, it is possible to recover the damages that were caused in the form of an injury lawsuit. Here is what you should know about dealing with this kind of injury claim.
Know About Strict Liability
Every state has their own laws regarding dog bites due to the strict liability statute. If a state uses strict liability, then anytime someone is bit by a dog, the owner will be the one found liable. If you are in a state that doesn't use strict liability, there are situations where the owner may not be found responsible for a dog bite. For example, if the owner doesn't own a breed of dog that is known for being aggressive, there would be no reason to think that their dog is capable of biting someone else. Understanding your local laws will help you know how to move forward with the case.
Know About Your Negligence
While no one should ever be bitten by a dog, there are circumstances where you may have brought the dog bite upon yourself due to your own actions. You have a duty of care when around dogs, and you can be found responsible for being bit based on what you have done to a dog. For example, if you attacked or agitated a dog, it is possible that the dog bit you in retaliation. If you were trespassing on another person's property, a dog may have bitten you because they were trying to protect their home. You must always examine your own behavior to determine if you can be found negligent at all.
Know About The Owner's Responsibility
The dog's owner also has their own responsibility to see that their dog does not bite others. If they are putting a dog in a backyard, it is important that they secure the dog so that they cannot get out. This may mean putting up a physical fence instead of an invisible fence, or putting the dog on a leash and clearly marking where the length of the leash will end. If they have a very aggressive dog, then they should not take the dog off their leash at a dog park where they can run freely with other people around.
Work with an injury lawyer, like Nicholas B. Hall - Personal Injury Lawyer, if you need help proving your dog bite case in court.