The Dog That Attacked Me Was Owned By a Friend/Family And I Don’t Want to Sue Them

Dog Attack Lawyers:

It is very common to be around dogs that are owned by our family, friends and neighbors. So when a liability issue arises after a dog bite, one is left wondering how to proceed. On one hand, you don’t want to sue or cause harm to your friend, family or neighbor, but on the other hand you are stuck with the after math of a dog bite along with medical bills and possible complications.

Millions of dog owners around the country enjoy the love and companionship of their dogs. While dogs may be playful, loving and caring to their owners, they may not necessarily react the same way to other people or animals. Nearly  4.5 million dog bites are reported annually, with the majority of dog bites occurring in California. And, while statistics show that not all dog bites result in physical injury, the emotional trauma of a dog bite can be severe and long-term. Knowing the owner of the dog complicates things even further.

 

Knowing the owner of the dog that attacked you is reason enough to hire an attorney. Having direct contact with the dog owner who is a family member or friend can be very uncomfortable. It is easier to tell the dog owner that you have an attorney and that your attorney will be handling this stressful situation with the owner’s Insurance company.

The damages an experienced dog bite accident attorney will seek is from the dog owner’s insurance company and not from the dog owner directly. While it may be an awkward scenario, the good news is that in most cases your friend or family member will not have to pay out of pocket for your injuries.

The amount of damages you can expect to recover are based on how severely you are injured and the insurance policy details. Make sure to keep records of your medical bills, and take photos of your injuries which will help provide evidence for your dog bite insurance claim.

In California, the statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years from the date of the incident. If a claim by a victim is not filed within the two-year limitation, you can lose the right to file a claim. 

Ongoing medical treatment and efforts to negotiate an insurance settlement take time. It is essential to engage the help of an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the dog attack incident to protect your right to file a claim.  An experienced dog bite attorney will act within the time restrictions to help protect your claim, allowing you to focus on healing and recovery.

Remember, your family or friend purchased insurance coverage for just this type of situation. No need to feel guilty about filing an injury claim. In most cases, you won’t need to deal with your friend directly.  

No one wins in the event of a dog bite. The victim of the attack suffers physically and emotionally. Our California dog bite lawyer are committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable for dog attacks while advocating for dog bite victims. 

If you have been injured by a dog attack, contact an experienced California dog bite lawyer.