San Jose Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog attack can be a terrifying experience that leaves you with serious injuries and medical expenses. Dogs are everywhere in our society, and it is easy to forget that they can cause tremendous damage to humans if they so choose.

There are many reasons a dog might bite, and unfortunately some are trained to behave aggressively. Regardless of the reason, when a dog attacks, a human is usually to blame. A San Jose dog bite lawyer can hold the dog owner or responsible party liable for your injuries.

A J&Y Law, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. Our San Jose personal injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us what happened. 

Should You Take a Settlement in a Dog Bite Case?

In most situations, you should never accept a settlement from an insurance company without first speaking with a lawyer. Some insurance companies seem helpful, but they will intentionally offer you a settlement that is less than your case is worth.

If you take it, you may waive your rights to future compensation, even if your condition worsens. The insurance company is betting you don’t know the true value of your case, and they can get off the hook for a fraction of what they owe you.

Our San Jose dog bite attorneys will know what your case is worth, and we aren’t going to let insurance companies take advantage of you. We can help you avoid taking a low settlement and many other common mistakes. 

More Ways Our San Jose Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help

It isn’t wise to take on insurance companies alone. While every case is different, some of the ways our dog bite lawyers in San Jose can help you include:

Identify Liable Parties

We can investigate your case and determine who is liable for your injuries. In California, pet owners are usually responsible for their dog’s bites, even if it is the first time the dog has attacked a human. However, there could be circumstances where another person is liable. 

For example, if a landlord is aware of a dangerous dog on the property and does nothing about it, they may share liability if the dog bites someone. Similarly, a dog walker could be fully or partially liable when they lose control of an animal and it bites someone. 

Your actions may alleviate the owner of responsibility, for example, if you harassed or provoked the dog, or if you were trespassing. Police dogs performing their duties are typically immune from dog bite liabilities.

Assess Compensation 

An award in a typical dog bite case can be between a few thousand and a hundred thousand dollars. In extreme attacks, an award can surpass a million dollars. The amount you may receive depends on the extent of your damages and expenses. 

Your lawyer will assess your damages and arrive at a fair compensation amount. We will consider economic damages such as the costs of:

• Doctor visits
• Procedures such as stitches
• Surgery
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Projected costs of future medical issues

You also may be entitled to non-economic damages intended to address the mental and emotional toll the attack has had on you. Your attorney will advise you if you may be able to recover damages for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, or emotional distress. 

Filing Civil Suits

You don’t necessarily have to file a lawsuit for a dog bite injury. The dog owner’s homeowners policy typically covers dog bites. Some policies require pet owners to have separate policies in case of bites. That may be enough to cover your injuries and damages.

If not, you may need to file a civil lawsuit to recover the money you need to pay your bills. Our attorney can advise you on the process and represent you in court.

Should You Report a Dog Bite?

According to 17 California Code of Regulations § 2606, all bites by animals that have the potential to have rabies, including dogs, must be reported to the local health officer.

It is a good idea to report dog bites to the police, especially if you have been attacked. This can allow the police to take action and potentially prevent another person from being attacked by the same dog.

A police report can also help your attorney later when investigating your case, attempting to understand what happened, and determining who is liable. 

Compensation for Bites by Stray Animals

Identifying the responsible party is crucial to obtaining compensation for a dog bite. If you don’t know who owns the dog, or if the dog does not appear to have an owner, you may need to use your health insurance to pay for your injuries. 

It is still a good idea to report the attack to the police so they can look for the dog. Of course, you also need to report the attack to the local health authorities. You could also take a photo of the dog. This can help identify the dog and their owner later on.

Even if the bite doesn’t seem that bad, it is important to get medical attention if an unknown dog bites you. Evaluation by a medical professional is critical, as the rabies vaccination status of the dog is unknown. 

Contact a San Jose Dog Bite Lawyer

Most dogs will not bite a human, but responsible pet owners must take precautions to ensure their animals are never in a position to hurt someone. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for their pet’s actions. 

If a dog has bitten you, you may have endured major injuries. A San Jose dog bite attorney can locate the liable party and fight for the money you need to pay your bills and get your life back on track.

Our team at J&Y Law has advocated for injured victims since 2009. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.