Vallejo Dog Bite Lawyer

dog

Dogs are wonderful pets, and many Americans consider their dogs a part of their family. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 36 percent of homes in the U.S. own at least one pet dog, and report that the country is home to more than 70 million pet dogs. Furthermore, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that owning a dog can have multiple health benefits, including reducing blood pressure, decreasing cholesterol levels, helping with feelings of loneliness, and giving owners more opportunities to exercise and socialize.

However, no matter how wonderful a pet dog may be, they still have the potential to cause serious bite injuries under the wrong circumstances. The CDC states that around 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten yearly by dogs. Many of these injuries don't cause severe or lasting trauma, but sometimes dog bites can be severe. When dogs become aggressive, they can leave people with complex and expensive injuries to recover from. In extreme cases, dog bites can leave people with life-long symptoms and even cause fatal injuries.

National Dog Bite Statistics
  • Around 1,000 people in the U.S. require emergency medical care for dog bites daily.
  • Around 92 percent of dog bites involving fatal injuries are caused by male dogs.
  • Around one-quarter of fatal dog attacks involve dogs on chains.
  • U.S. insurance companies pay over one billion dollars for dog bite injuries annually.
  • About two-thirds of bites happen on or near the injured person's home.
  • Over half of those injured by dog bites know the dog that bit them.
  • Nearly three-quarters of dog bites affect extremities such as legs, arms, hands, and feet.
Dangerous Dog Breeds That Could Bite

We've met many dogs from breeds that are considered dangerous and found them to be very friendly, calm, and well-behaved pets. However, throughout our years representing people injured by dogs, we have heard many stories of dogs from dangerous breeds quickly turning from well-behaved to aggressive. Although this doesn't happen often, and many dogs never bite, it is good to know which breeds often become aggressive.

Breeds that most often bite include:

  • German Shepherd
  • Australian Shepherd
  • Chihuahua
  • Bulldog
  • Pit Bull
  • Jack Russell Terrier
  • Bull Terrier
  • Pekingese
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Cocker Spaniel
Preventing Dog Bite Incidents

To learn some helpful information on how to prevent dog bites, you can watch the informative video below:

Types of Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Injury Case

Although many people don't realize it, dog bites can be severe. When dogs attack, they often leave people with injuries that affect them for the rest of their lives. Dog bites can cause severe scarring, disfigurement, bone fractures, etc. Because these incidents can be severe, Vallejo dog bite injury attorneys may seek fair compensation for injured parties for various financial and intangible losses. These losses include:

  • Lost income (as well as income one might lose in the future)
  • Medical bills
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Other damages related to the bite
Vallejo Dog Bite FAQ

Who is at risk of a dog bite?

While anybody can be bitten by a dog, some are more vulnerable to bite injuries. Children are particularly at risk for suffering serious injuries during dog attacks. According to CDC statistics, more than 80 percent of emergency room visits related to dog bites involve children under 15. Additionally, it is estimated that half of all children under 12 have been bitten by a dog.

Unsupervised infants are over 300 times more likely than adults to be fatally injured in a dog attack. These attacks often happen when children unintentionally provoke dogs by approaching them while sleeping or eating. It is also thought that children may be more at risk for serious dog bite injuries simply because they are smaller and less able to defend themselves than adults.

How soon should I file a dog bite claim? 

Under California law, dog bite owners are responsible for injuries their dogs cause. However, injured parties have to meet specific deadlines to file their claim. Victims of dog bites need to file claims less than two years after the attack date. While this may seem like an extended period, having everything in order and filing your claim can take time, especially with the ongoing pressures of day-to-day life.

Calling an experienced dog bite lawyer in Vallejo can help take some of this stress off of your shoulders. A good attorney will be able to make sure that your case is properly prepared and that all legal deadlines are met to ensure you receive the money you are owed. However, choosing a lawyer to meet your needs isn't always easy. In addition to having a lawyer who is experienced in handling California dog bite cases, you should have someone comfortable representing you. I encourage you to keep reading about my practice on my website to learn more about us and how we have helped our past clients.

Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Vallejo, CA

Our injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have worked hard since 1982 to secure full compensation for Vallejo residents attacked by dogs. If you suffered a dog bite injury and want to discuss your case with an attorney, call us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

See how we successfully helped our clients on our verdicts and settlements page.

Editor's Note: updated [cha 7.13.23] Photo by Pixabay ms [cs 915]

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