If you or someone close to you has been bitten by a dog, you may be considering filing a dog bite lawsuit. If that’s the case, here are some reasons why it’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side in this type of case, even if the situation seems straightforward and open-and-shut.
Was it the owner’s fault?
The liability of the owner is dependent on where the incident occurred. If the dog was on his or her property, then the owner is liable.
If the dog was in a public place then it’s up to an investigation to determine who is at fault.
In many cases, both parties can be found responsible for the injury and as such, there may not be any monetary damages awarded if negligence can’t be established.
However if negligence can be established, then you may be entitled to compensation depending on what you’re claiming (i.e. medical expenses).
Additionally, if your injuries were severe enough that they caused you to miss work, then your employer might be required to compensate you accordingly.
It’s important that this matter is handled by a personal injury lawyer so that all aspects are explored and taken into account during the claim process.
What was the extent of your injuries?
You have likely heard of the term personal injury lawyer before, but you may not know exactly what it means. It’s important to be able to know if you need one, because hiring a personal injury lawyer can help with injuries like dog bites.
If your injuries were serious enough that they required an overnight hospital stay, or you needed physical therapy or medical care afterward, then you will want to speak with a personal injury lawyer and make sure that your claim is filed quickly so as not to run out of time!
There are many types of personal injury lawyers; those who specialize in a certain area of law, those who work in different areas and those who just specialize in dog bite cases.
Some factors that determine whether or not you’ll need one are: the extent of your injuries, where the incident took place and whether someone else is at fault (i.e., another person).
How much compensation should you ask for?
A lot of people think that if they have to pay an attorney, then the amount of compensation they should ask for will be less. But that’s not true!
A personal injury lawyer is paid on a contingency basis, meaning that he or she won’t get paid unless you win your case.
Most personal injury lawyers only charge between 25% and 40% of any money they win in court (the exact percentage varies from state to state), and many will do the initial work in order to see if your case can be won before charging anything at all.
The bottom line is that having a professional representing you in court could help you get more than what you would otherwise receive – which means it would actually save money because you wouldn’t need to hire an attorney again in order to file another lawsuit.
So, don’t shortchange yourself just because you’re afraid of the upfront costs.
If you are unsure about whether to pursue this option, talk to a legal advisor who specializes in these types of cases so that you can make an informed decision based on all the relevant facts.
Do you have any proof of your injuries?
If you were bitten by a dog, you should visit the doctor to get checked out and take pictures of your injuries.
If you need to file an injury claim, take those pictures with you to your lawyer’s office. They will use these pictures as evidence in court.
There are three main reasons why you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer after being bitten by a dog:
(1) if the bite was deep enough that it broke skin,
(2) if it caused any bleeding, or
(3) if there are any visible marks on your body.
For example, I had a client who was bitten by a dog on her left calf. The injury required surgery because of how deeply it went into her leg.
Another client had been walking when she was approached by two dogs from behind – one bit her knee and the other bit her arm.
My third client came to see me about his case after he received multiple bites across his back when he reached down to pet a puppy that charged at him.
What are your medical bills from the incident?
The medical bills can range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the severity of the injury.
If your injuries are severe and require surgery or hospitalization, you may be faced with much higher medical bills.
In addition to medical bills, there are other costs associated with dog bite injuries such as missed work and physical therapy that you should consider when estimating your case value.
It is important to take all aspects into account before settling with the insurance company because they are likely offering you significantly less than what your case is worth.
How long did you have to take off work?
I had to take off work for two weeks. It was difficult since I had to use all my sick time and vacation days. Thankfully, I am self-employed and didn’t have to worry about paying the bills while I healed.
That’s why you need a personal injury lawyer for your dog bite case. They’ll make sure that you’re compensated for your injuries and that your employer is on board with giving you the time needed to heal.
The best part of working with a personal injury lawyer?
They can negotiate an agreement that works in your favor – like getting money upfront to pay for medical expenses, or making it so you can still receive money when you return to work.