Are you a dog owner? If yes, then you surely can understand how much of a delight they can be. With the beautiful companionship they offer, it's easy to appreciate why people call them "man's best friend." However, sometimes, they will still exhibit animal behavior and will bite humans when triggered.
A 2021 report states that there are about 4.7 million incidences of dog bites in the US yearly. The same report records fatal dog bite cases due to rabies worldwide. While some victims experience non-serious dog bites injuries, others are not so lucky. They end up sustaining severe injuries like fractured bones, severe bruising, acute wounds, muscle tears, nerve damage, etc.
If you're an injured party in a Denver animal bite incident, you can get fair compensation for your bodily injuries.. Usually, you'd do that through insurance claims with a personal injury lawyer's help. However, you can make the process easy by knowing the proper steps to take after the animal bite injury. We'd discuss that in this article.
Like all other animals, dogs can display aggressive tendencies now and again. However, some aggressive dog breeds exhibit more vicious behaviors than others. As such, people should be cautious around these dog breeds:
The American pit bull is the most dangerous dog in the world. In fact, some countries have placed a ban on bulls because of their aggressive behaviors. This breed of dogs was used initially for baiting bulls. However, they quickly transitioned into nanny dogs because they were gentle around children.
A mixed-breed dog doesn't belong to one official breed, hence its name. Also referred to as mongrels or mutts, there are different kinds of mixed-breeds worldwide. Some of the most common ones include Cavachon, Siberian Retriever, Chiweenie, and Cockapoos. Although mixed-breeds are moderately temperamental, they can inflict serious bodily injuries on victims when they bite.
Right after pit bulls, Rottweilers are the next most dangerous dogs. This dog breed causes many fatal dog bites. Apart from being hazardous, Rottweilers are territorial and exhibit extreme jealousy around their owners. They are aggressive and powerfully built.
German shepherds look like wolves and get their names from their origin. They are intelligent dogs that Germans formally used to herd sheep and protect them from their predators. German shepherds are intimidating because of their large sizes. They are also dangerous and can inflict serious bodily injuries on their victims due to their vicious tendencies.
The Siberian Husky dog is quite friendly and meticulous. They are resilient, high-energy dogs that can survive without harsh weather conditions. They can also be extremely dangerous and cause devastating physical injuries to their bite victims.
Studies have shown that personalities play a factor in who gets dog bites. According to one study, anxious, nervous, or fearful people are 22% more likely to get a dog bite. As such, adults and children need to understand how to behave properly around various dog breeds.
Dogs have vicious tendencies and can bite even their owners, depending on the situation. Therefore, you must exercise reasonable care around dogs, especially the ones with dangerous propensity. Sometimes, however, bite accidents happen regardless of how cautious we are.
If you decide to file an animal bite claim for your physical injury, it's best to follow these steps:
In every dog bite incident, it's essential to ask for the pet owners' contact details. That includes their names, phone numbers, and addresses. If you can, ask if they have insurance coverage and note the names of their insurance companies.
Your injury claim's success depends on how much evidence you can provide to prove your allegations. As such, it's wise to take pictures of your bodily injuries as soon as you can. Ensure that the images are clear enough to show the extent of your injuries. The amount of financial compensation you will get can depend on how you take the pictures.
There's a substantial risk of loss of life from a dog bite if it's not treated early enough. So, you must ensure that you see a doctor as early as you can. Aside from treating your injuries, medical records from your doctor can help you prove your injury claim.
It's essential to inform a police officer about your dog bite injuries. When you do, you'd have to file a police report. This report can form a part of the official records you can leverage to prove your allegations. Ensure that you document as many details as you can remember in your police report.
You may need a witness's corroboration to get financial compensation in your claim or civil lawsuit. So, one of the first things you can do after an accident is to document an eyewitness' testimony. They can verify that the pet owner's negligence or intentional conduct led to the dog bite.
Visiting a trusted health care worker isn't enough after a dog bite injury. You will have to follow your doctor's treatment advice or risk forfeiting your compensation. If you've had a facial dog bite injury, for example, your doctor may recommend cosmetic surgery. Your injury claim risks failure if you fail to go for facial reconstruction surgery.
While the same dog bite laws apply to everyone in Denver, every case has its peculiarities. You'd need a dog bite liability lawyer to help assess your chances of success in your claim or bite injury lawsuit. Again, personal injury laws can be pretty complex to handle. You'd need your attorney's experience and knowledge to navigate those complexities.
Denver's dog bite rules are a combination of two types of laws. The first type of law involves the negligence rules, and the second is the strict liability rule. You can only hold the dog owner liable for your injuries, depending on your case's specifics and the injury type. If the dog bite causes you severe bodily injuries, strict liability rules apply to the predator controller. For non-serious dog bites, premises liability law applies.
Under strict liability rules, the dog owner is the person responsible for your injuries if:
Under premises liability rules, the dog owner maintains liability for your injuries in these circumstances:
The dog owner wouldn't be liable for your dog bite injuries in the following cases:
Apart from the physical injuries that dog bites cause, you may experience emotional trauma too. As such, you may not be in the right frame of mind to pursue your injury claim. You need a competent and knowledgeable person to help you get both economic and non-economic damages.
Your dog bite lawyer can help you in the following ways:
Your injury attorney knows precisely what kinds of evidence will prove your claims. It may be difficult for you to get access to such a piece of evidence on your own. Your attorney will leverage their connection and experience to get them on your behalf.
Filing an insurance claim is a highly complex task. Your lawyers will take that stress off you. After filing your claims, they'd handle negotiations with the insurance adjusters to ensure you get a fair settlement. They'd also ensure that you meet deadlines and comply with the necessary insurance laws to avoid forfeiting your compensation.
There's a time limit within which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the filing deadlines, you may not get compensation for your losses. Insurance companies would try to leverage this to ensure you miss the deadlines.
However, an injury attorney is aware of all the tricks they may pull. As such, they will file a lawsuit on your behalf if they can sense unnecessary delays in the claims process. Your lawyer will also offer you quality representation in court.
Sometimes, you may feel a significant relief when you know you're not alone. Your attorney will offer you all the emotional support you need to get through this phase.
If you're nursing a dog bite injury due to a dog owner's negligence, you aren't liable for your medical bills. Our top-notch personal injury attorneys at Firouzbakht Law Firm will help you get ample compensation for your financial losses, bodily injuries, and emotional trauma. We are the most qualified Denver dog bite lawyers for your claim..
If you decide to file a lawsuit, we are with you every step of the way. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today. You'd be better for it.
