If a dog bites you and think there is nothing that you can do about the pain and suffering you experience, think again. California Dog-Bite Statue holds the owner of a dog responsible for a dog bite accident. It is, therefore, easier for a person to claim for damages in the state of California.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs bite almost 4.7 million people every year across the United States. Out of these incidents, almost 800,000 individuals require some type of medical care and treatment. The figures are increasing every year and more and more people are filing lawsuits against dog owners.
Finding a is not a difficult task. However, you need to make sure that the attorney you choose has the right kind of experience. A good dog-bite attorney in Sacramento will help you prepare for the legal defenses the owner of the dog will use. They will also make you understand the different exceptions that are in place with regards to dog-bite accidents.
This article will attempt to help you understand what your next steps are if you are dealing with a dog bite. It will also guide you towards choosing the right dog-bite attorney in Sacramento.
Even though you must be going through a wave of emotions at this time, it is important to keep a cool head and handle the situation well. If a dog bites you, seeking medical help should be your first priority. You should also call animal control or 911 to report the incident. Also, if you can, you should take pictures of the dog and gather all the information you can about the owner of the dog. Once you have received medical attention, you should look for an experienced dog-bite attorney in Sacramento.
An experienced dog-bite attorney in Sacramento will also help you comprehend the way the court calculates damages. They will also work with you to come up with all the necessary evidence required to prove all kinds of damages. The main determinants in the case of a dog-bite incident include:
The severity of your injuries plays an important role in determining the damages you get. Dog-bite injuries are not to be taken lightly as the healing process can last for a few months. You should meet with your physician and find out whether the injuries caused will leave permanent scarring. If this is the case, you will be eligible to receive greater damages. Keep in mind that cosmetic surgery is extremely expensive. Moreover, insurance providers don’t cover cosmetic procedures.
When trying to determine how much you paid in medical expenses, you should take into account all the costs. These costs include the first aid you receive at first and the emergency room. In addition, you can add the ambulance charges that you had to pay in the beginning. Moreover, if you had to be admitted into the hospital and given medications or undergo surgery, you should keep the costs associated with them in mind.
You should also take into account future costs you might have to face because of the injury. Add these to the costs you face directly due to the incident. Sometimes the injured may have to use a particular medication for life due to a chronic pain suffered because of the accident. Don’t skip the cost of medication when estimating the total medical expenses. You should review the list of expenses along with your dog-bite attorney in Sacramento and find out if you are missing any important expense.
Because of the injuries sustained during the accident, it is natural to take some time off from work. You can recover the wages lost during this time as well when recovering damages. This holds true also for cases in which the parent has to take time off as a result of the child getting injured.
By filing a lawsuit, you will also be able to get compensation for all the pain and suffering you go through because of the incident. If the pain continues after the healing process and masks itself as a case of chronic pain, it will also be included when determining the damages.
Other than the physical aspects, the emotional trauma that the injured had to go through because of the accident is also made a part of the damages. Suffering can come in the form of anxiety or panic attacks experienced whenever there is a dog in the vicinity. Also, if the injury caused scarring or disfigurement, you can include the emotional stress and embarrassment you felt walking around with them.
As mentioned, California has a strict dog-bite statute in place. This statute only provides an exception to the dog owner in cases where the victim is trespassing. Other than that, if the dog in question is a police or military dog that was performing its duties, you might not be able to file a lawsuit against the owner.
You have two years, after the incident, to file a lawsuit. After two years elapse, you will not be able to file the case, as per California law. If you file the lawsuit after 2 years have passed, the court will not entertain your request and dismiss your case.
Finding a dog-bite attorney in Sacramento that will help you recover full damages requires you to carry out extensive research. When choosing a dog-bite attorney in Sacramento, look for the following things:
1. Satisfied Clients
A good dog-bite attorney in Sacramento will have a long list of happy and satisfied clients that have witnessed success because of their lawyer. You can easily find reviews online and see what the previous clients had to say about the attorney’s services.
2. Experience
When looking for the right dog-bite attorney in Sacramento, make sure that you look at their experience. An inexperienced dog-bite attorney can end up costing you more than what you recover in damages.
3. Success
Look at the number of cases a particular dog-bite attorney in Sacramento has won. This will tell you how good they perform in court. Moreover, you will get an idea of the lawyer’s ability to make a reasonable argument on your behalf.
4. Familiarity with State Laws
Since you are looking for a dog-bite attorney in Sacramento only, you should make sure that the attorney you are considering has significant experience in the state of California. Each state has a different dog-bite statute in place. Hence, you should ensure that the attorney you hire is well aware of the laws prevalent in California.
5. Compassion
The last but the most important factor to look at is how you feel with the lawyer. If you feel the lawyer does not understand your situation or feel compassionate towards you, you should consider going with a different attorney.
At www.lawyeronmyside.com, we understand the emotional and physical endurance that you have to go through as a result the unfortunate accident. Our team of experienced dog-bite attorneys has an impressive record of success. We are always available to help you get the justice you deserve. The knowledge our attorneys bring to the table is invaluable and will surely help you heal peacefully. Do not wait for another day, contact us to find out how we can help bring your mind at ease.
