Why It’s Necessary to Hire a Lawyer After a Dog Attack

WHAT A DOG BITE ATTORNEY WILL DO FOR YOU

A dog bite attorney practices in the area of law known as personal injury. Lawyers in this field represent plaintiffs who have been injured in various types of accidents, including dog bites and animal attacks.

If you or a loved one is attacked by a dog, a skilled dog bite lawyer can prove invaluable in helping you recover the money you deserve. Here are some of the things a dog bite attorney can do for you: 

Negotiate with the Insurance Company on Your Behalf

Insurance companies typically try to pressure dog bite victims into accepting an inadequate settlement deal. An experienced lawyer who specializes in dog bite legal services knows what your claim is worth and has negotiated with insurance companies in the past. 

Numerous studies show that victims who hire personal injury lawyers win larger verdicts and settlements than those who try to go it alone.

Obtain Your Medical Records and Other Necessary Documentation 

Proving your injuries are serious enough to warrant a large settlement can be challenging. You have to provide extensive documentation from every medical professional who has been involved in your treatment. 

In addition, you may need testimony from other physicians, known as expert witnesses. An experienced dog bite lawyer will gather and evaluate all the information required to win the maximum payout amount. 

Decide When to File Your Claim for the Best Financial Outcome

A victim has up to three years from the date of the attack to file a claim. In some situations, a victim has additional time to file a claim. For example, minors under the age of 18 are allowed to wait until their 19th birthday to bring a lawsuit. 

It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a dog attack. However, you may not know the full extent of your injuries until some time has passed. A skilled lawyer will make this determination to achieve the most advantageous result.

Obtain Expert Witness Testimony

Sometimes the opinion of another medical professional is needed to prove your case. A qualified dog bite lawyer has the resources to locate the right individual(s) and obtain the testimony necessary to win the settlement or verdict you deserve.

Help You Win Damages for Emotional Harm

In addition to recovering reimbursement for your medical bills, you may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic losses. These include long-term pain and suffering and lasting psychological harm resulting from the attack. A victim can develop Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD) along with nightmares, severe anxiety and depression. Or, someone who used to love animals may suddenly be terrified of dogs. 

Additionally, if the attack resulted in permanent facial scars, the victim may become self-conscious and withdrawn. An experienced dog bite lawyer knows how to assess and prove pain and suffering damages so the victim receives the highest possible settlement.  

Represent You in Court if Your Case Proceeds to Trial

While most dog bite cases are settled out of court, sometimes a trial is necessary to win the compensation you are entitled to. In these instances, you need a skilled trial attorney to prepare and present a winning case.

Help Even If The Dog Has Never Attacked Anyone Before

Michigan dog bite laws are very favorable for victims. Dog owners are subject to a “strict liability” statute that holds them responsible for injuries caused by their dogs. The law applies regardless of whether a dog has previously bitten anyone. However, an owner is not responsible if the victim provoked the dog or was on the owner’s property illegally.   

Offer Clients A No-Fee Guarantee

Personal injury attorneys, which include dog bite lawyers, work on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer’s fee is “contingent,” or dependent, upon the amount of the verdict or settlement.

When your case is settled, the lawyer’s fee, any out-of-pocket expenses, and potential trial costs are deducted from the check you receive from the owner’s insurance company. 

At The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, we offer our clients a No-Fee Guarantee®. 

This means you don’t owe us an attorney fee if we don’t win money for you. In other words, we don’t get paid unless you do. Therefore, we will do whatever it takes to make sure you get all the benefits and compensation you deserve. 

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR A DOG BITE LAWYER?

A dog owner is not liable for a plaintiff’s injuries if the victim instigated the attack. Therefore, to win a dog bite case, an attorney has to prove that the plaintiff did nothing to provoke the dog. Insurance companies frequently try to avoid paying out large settlements by blaming the victim. This is especially common when a dog bites a child. While these accusations are usually false, a lawyer must still prove the dog attacked and injured the plaintiff without provocation. 

OTHER INJURY LAWSUITS A DOG BITE LAWYER CAN HELP YOU WITH

The “strict liability” law applies to owners only when their dog bites another person. However, a dog may do something else that results in a serious injury, such as chasing a bicyclist or pedestrian and causing a fall. In that situation, the owner would not be automatically liable for the victim’s injuries. 

Nevertheless, a dog owner may be found liable on the basis of negligence. To recover damages, a plaintiff must prove their injuries were a direct result of the owner’s negligent behavior. 

An experienced lawyer understands these complex legal issues and will build a winning case based on the laws that apply to your individual situation.  

Call a Law Firm of Experienced Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, contact us immediately. We know what it takes to win your dog bite case, and we are ready to fight for the benefits you deserve.

Visit our dog bite lawyer legal services page for more information

Dog bite law is complicated, but finding the right attorney is simple. Fill out our contact form or contact us today for a free, remote no-obligation consultation from the safety of your home.