Home » Dog Bite Lawyers In The U.S.

Top-Rated Dog Bite Lawyers In The U.S.

Legally reviewed by: Jenna-Marie Cosme August 30, 2022

Law firms who have achieved over $100 million in case results
Many $20 million dollar jury verdicts
Law firms awarded Best Law Firm in 2022 by US News and World Report

After a dog bite incident, you may be ready to pursue legal action. That’s where LegalFinders steps in. We can connect you to the best, most experienced dog bite lawyers near you. These top-rated dog bite attorneys can provide an immediate, free consultation to review your medical expenses and other important details of your case. Find out more about how to file a personal injury claim after a dog bite injury by reaching out to LegalFinders today.

Connecting You With The Best Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Near You

In current times, it may be easy to assume that dog bite accidents and related injuries are few and far between. Unfortunately, many people suffer dog bites every year, and many dog attack victims are children.

Dog bites and other animal attacks can happen for any number of reasons, from dog owner negligence to lack of animal control and training and more. Regardless of the reason, dog bites can lead to serious injury or even wrongful death. This can, in turn, cause unimaginable pain and suffering for the accident victims and their loved ones.

People who have been injured due to a dog bite, or loved ones of wrongful death victims, may have the option of filing a personal injury claim to seek compensation. Personal injury cases provide legal compensation to atone for injury-related expenses and pain and suffering.

If you have been hurt by a dog and want to begin a dog bite case, we can help. Through LegalFinders, you can find a competent, trustworthy dog bite lawyer. The law firms in our professional circle have years of experience, so they know and understand dog bite laws. They will use this knowledge to help you seek a fair compensation amount for your claim.

Here’s how it works. First, you will receive a free case review to discuss the details of your accident. The lawyer may ask you questions about the circumstances of the accident and for any documentation you may have, like medical bills. After a thorough case evaluation, your lawyer can provide a detailed estimate for how much you may be able to pursue in damages.

Should your case turn from a claim into a dog bite lawsuit, your attorney can provide legal advice, keep you informed, and act as your legal mouthpiece every step of the way. Further, a lawyer can help you explore complicated details related to your case.

For example, they can help you determine whether the dog’s owner may be at fault for your injuries, explain whether you can still file a claim if you were trespassing, and discuss your legal rights in terms that you can understand.

You don’t have to handle the complex legal system on your own after a dog bite attack. Let LegalFinders do the hard work by finding the right dog bite attorney for your case. Reach out to us now by calling our helpline or filling out our contact form.

Dog Bite Statistics In The U.S.

More than 4.5 million people suffer dog attacks each year in the U.S., and most of these dog bites occur in children, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dog bites can result in injuries like cuts or lacerations and also disfiguration, scarring, and fatalities. Consider the following facts for dog bites in the U.S, as posted by the AVMA:

Victims of dog bites

nearly 1 in 5

require medical treatment

Most common victims of dog bite injury

children

and often suffer serious injuries or fatalities

Majority of dog bites in young children

happen during everyday activities

(both in public places and on private property), and while interacting with familiar dogs

There is stigma surrounding certain dog breeds

Rottweilers and pit bulls

All dogs can bite.

Most dog bite accidents are preventable.

In addition to the injuries and emotional trauma a dog bite can cause, bites can lead to risk of infection and diseases such as rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you or one of your family members were a victim of a dangerous dog attack, contact LegalFinders now to be connected with a personal injury lawyer.

Common Causes Of Dog Bites

Dog bites can occur in a wide range of circumstances, which is why practicing animal safety is important. Staying off private property and always asking a dog owner’s permission before petting or approaching a dog can help you avoid injury. Here are some of the most common contributing factors in dog bite accidents and other animal attacks:

Entering private property without the owner’s consent
Failing to talk to the owner of the dog before interacting with the dog
Lack of disclaimer from an owner about a potentially dangerous dog
Lack of training for the dog
Abuse or neglect of the dog, leading to a vicious or protective nature

Both the AVMA and the CDC state that any dog can bite — they do not have to be considered a dangerous dog to attack. Dogs may bite if they are scared, nervous, during play, or if they are protecting their puppies.

However, if a dog attacks you, the owner of the dog may be held liable for your injuries. Connect with LegalFinders now to find a personal injury attorney and get started on your case.

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FAQs

Learn more about dog bites cases, from the laws that apply to how to file a dog bite claim, in the frequently asked questions below.

What Are The Legal Options After Dog Bite Incidents?

The best way to understand your legal options after a dog attack is to speak to a dog bite lawyer. Your lawyer can explain whether the dog’s owner may be held liable for your injuries. They can also go over your legal rights, explain the laws that apply, and help you understand who to file your claim against.

If you were trespassing on the dog owner’s property, for instance, this may interfere with your case. Or, if you intentionally provoked the dog prior to being bitten, you may be considered partially at fault for your injuries. This means the outcome of your case could be affected.

To know for sure where you stand, consider calling on an experienced dog bite injury lawyer. LegalFinders can connect you to an experienced dog bite lawyer near you now.

Is The Animal’s Owner Responsible For Injuries Caused By A Dog Bite?

The dog owner may be held liable for your injuries. Liability can depend on a number of factors, such as whether you were trespassing on the owner’s property, whether no-trespassing signs or other disclaimers were posted, and more.

If you were hurt in a one-bite incident by a dog that was unprovoked, the dog’s owner may be held liable for your injuries. In other words, you may have a dog bite claim against the owner or the owner’s insurance company.

A lawyer can explain the next steps to take to file your personal injury claim. They can also offer a free case evaluation to help you understand who you may bring your claim against.

Should I Call Animal Control After A Dog Bite Injury?

The first thing you should do after a dog bite or other animal attack is seek prompt medical attention. After calling 911 or going to the emergency department, you can contact animal control and/or the police department to file an official report.

While you may feel very shaken up after the incident, filing a report could be crucial to your case later on, especially if you pursue a dog bite lawsuit. Though dog attacks can cause tremendous pain, suffering, and emotional trauma, it is best to report the attack right away.

Delaying a report of the incident could lead the defendant’s lawyer to question the severity of the attack (as a defense tactic), if your case goes to trial.

Can I Sue The Dog Owner For Serious Injuries Caused By A Dog Bite?

If you were injured by a dog on the owner’s property, you may be able to sue the dog owner. However, trespassing on the owner’s property is one factor that will be taken strongly into consideration during any dog bite lawsuit.

Trespassing, or entering private property without the owner’s express consent or invitation, is illegal. This means that most injuries that occur during trespassing are not considered the responsibility of the property owner — and that the owner, in turn, is not liable for your injuries.

This is not always the case, however. If you are unsure whether you have a case against a dog owner for injuries caused by their animal, speak to a lawyer.

How Do I File A Personal Injury Claim For A Dog Bite?

First, reach out to a personal injury attorney to file a dog bite claim. While you do not have to file your claim right away, there is a statute of limitations on all personal injury claims. This means it’s best to have your case evaluated as soon as possible, even if you choose to wait to file.

When you are ready to file, your lawyer can ensure your claim is filled out with the maximum amount of damages, names all liable parties, and that you file within your deadline. The law firm will handle the entire claim-filing process for you, so you can focus on healing.

Do I Have To Hire A Dog Bite Lawyer To File A Claim?

It is not necessary to hire a dog bite lawyer for a personal injury case, but having legal representation certainly comes with benefits. For example, a lawyer can tell you the statute of limitations for your claim, any state laws that may apply to your case, and your legal rights.

They can also review the liable party’s insurance policy, if any, to explain the possible verdicts (if your claim goes on to become a dog bite lawsuit). Finally, a lawyer will see that you have the best legal representation in order to fight for fair compensation for your injuries.

What’s The Difference Between A Dog Bite Claim And A Dog Bite Lawsuit?

If you are considering pursuing legal action following a dog bite injury, you may have heard the terms ‘claim’ and ‘lawsuit’ and been unsure of the difference between the two.

Put simply, a claim is a legal demand for compensation, while a lawsuit is a legal matter brought against another party, which could be an individual, a business, an insurance company, or another party.

If you were hurt by a dog in public, you may have to sue the dog’s owner in order to seek compensation for your injuries. If you were hurt by a dog in a pet store, you may be able to bring a claim against the business’s insurance company.

Or, if you were hurt by a dangerous dog that was not properly secured on its chain who broke free and bit you, you may be able to sue the dog owner and bring a claim against the homeowner’s insurance company.

Dog bite cases can be quite complex, which is why they are best left to an experienced lawyer.

How Do I Find The Dog Bite Laws In My State?

Look for dog bite laws in your state on the governmental website, by contacting the local animal control department, or by speaking to a lawyer. Remember, if you were hurt at all by a dog, you may have a case.

LegalFinders Will Connect You With The Best Dog Bite Lawyer Near You

Rest assured that you are getting quality legal representation when you work with law offices vetted and backed by LegalFinders. We will ensure you find the optimal dog bite attorney for your case — one who is part of a law firm backed by experience, with testimonials to prove it.

Whether you were on public or private property, you or your loved one deserve compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered. Let us help you get a fair settlement and get on the road to recovery. Call our helpline now for more information.

Article Sources

Dog bite prevention | American Veterinary Medical Association

This Week Is Dog Bite Prevention Week | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC