Dogs are necessary pets to human beings since they provide companionship and security. At the same time, they can be dangerous when they bite. In most states, dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused. Therefore, if you’re bitten by someone’s dog and sustain injuries, you can file a compensation lawsuit to recover the damages you may have suffered, such as medication bills, loss of current and future earnings, physical pain and suffering, Mental anguish, Property damage, and Legal fee.
While you can cover damages in a dog bite, filing the case present numerous challenges, especially for non-legal professionals. For instance, many people find proving the dog owner’s negligence difficult. To successfully file a lawsuit and maximize your compensation, the law requires you to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the owner’s carelessness led to the incident. You can take steps to streamline the process and increase the chances of winning the case. They include the following:
- Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Filing a dog bite case can be challenging, so you should work with a legal professional. A lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal system and can be very valuable in your case. That said, hiring a dog bite lawyer can be beneficial in many ways:
- Helps Determine Who Is Liable For The Dog Bite
A personal injury lawyer has the skills to investigate a case thoroughly. They can be valuable in determining who’s legally responsible for your compensation, whether a dog owner or someone else. The lawyer will also help collect enough evidence and build a strong case for you.
- Helps Maximize Your Compensation
It’s no secret that the dog owner, insurance companies, and any other party liable for your compensation will often try to minimize your settlement amount. A lawyer possesses negotiation skills and can help bargain for fair compensation. They understand all the tricks the defendants may use to weaken your case and can work with your best interest in their heart.
- Ensures You File The Case On Time
A lawyer will file the case on your behalf to ensure no delay in its commencement. In most states, there’s a set limit on the duration for filing a dog bite case. Taking too long to file may hurt your compensation. A personal injury lawyer, however, can give you accurate, up-to-date information regarding statute limitations for a dog bite case, ensuring you meet all the deadlines and maximize your compensation.
When hiring a lawyer, choose one specializing in dog bite cases. Besides, they should have many years of work experience to ensure better results for your dog bite lawsuit.
- Seek Medical Attention
Another important step after a dog bite accident is to seek medical attention. And for good reasons, it’ll help prevent infection and provide the necessary medical care, thus enhancing your recovery.
And more importantly, seeking medication following a dog bite is crucial for legal purposes. Why? The doctors will help document the medication of your injuries, which you can present in court as evidence of the accident. Additionally, the hospital will draft official medical bill receipts you can use when computing the total value or compensation of your damages. Once bitten by a dog, rush to the nearest hospital to improve your recovery and build a strong case.
- Gather And Document Enough Evidence
The only way to build a strong dog bite lawsuit and win against the owner is by providing enough evidence. Judges will barely rule in your favor if you can’t prove the liability of the dog’s owner. It is why gathering and documenting evidence is necessary when filling a dog bite case.
Taking photographs of the scene is one way to collect proof. Also, taking pictures and videos of the dog can help establish its identity and behavior. Store the photos in the cloud so that you can produce them when needed by the judges. You’ll also want to take pictures of the injured part of your body. These can provide enough evidence of the incident.
Apart from taking pictures, it’s important to find witnesses. If you see people around the scene, request a few of them to be your witnesses and take their contact details, such as names and phone numbers. This information will help your lawyer to reach out to them when the case hearing sessions begin. Choosing people you can trust as your witnesses will help provide additional evidence, thus increasing your chances of winning the case.
Takeaway
You may want to file a compensation case if a dog bites you. The dog owner should compensate you for all the damages you may have suffered in the incident. However, you must take all the necessary steps. Hiring a lawyer, visiting a hospital, and documenting evidence are strategies to win a dog bite case and maximize compensation.
