Riverside Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog, you are probably wondering what you should do after getting treatment for you injuries. Can you get fair compensation for the dog bite injuries? Our dog bite attorneys in Riverside CA help dog bite victims get answers about their legal rights.

The injuries a dog bite victim suffers can cause them to face costly medical bills and other losses that can negatively impact their life. Our Riverside dog attack lawyers at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting Heiting Heiting Law Firm are known for getting top results in dog bite cases.

Riverside Dog Attack Attorney

Many people know that personal injury lawyers can help victims in car accident cases. However, it is not as well known that personal injury attorneys can also help victims in a dog bite case. A dog bite case IS a personal injury case, and the process of compensation begins with filing a personal injury claim.

If you are wondering if you are entitled to compensation after a dog bite attack, it is well worth your time to contact our law offices for answers.

Seeking justice and the compensation you need to cover the bills and move on with your life is possible. But you must follow the right process in accordance with dog bite laws. Discovering legal definitions related to your case and getting answers to common questions will help, but achieving the best possible results requires the talent of a California dog bite attorney.

When Are Dog Owners Liable?

Dog owners are almost always liable for dog bites under California law. Liability is a legal definition used to describe the person or entity that is legally required to pay for damages after an incident takes place.

If a dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, the court can hold the dog’s owner liable for any resulting damages. And these damages are commonly paid by the dog owner’s insurance company (homeowner’s insurance).

What If an Owner Didn’t Know a Dog Was Dangerous?

Some states within the United States require dog owners to know that their dog is dangerous before victims have the right to sue. But that is not the case in California.

Victims in California can seek compensation even if the dog that bit them had never shown signs of aggression in the past. This is true for all dog bite claims that occur in California. This includes Riverside County, San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, for example.

California lawmakers implemented this standard to safeguard our communities by encouraging dog owners to take reasonable steps to control their dogs. Under the law, reasonable steps are steps that a sensible person would take with the information on hand.

Leash laws are pervasive but they can differ from city to city. These laws are intended to protect the public from dog bites. The reasoning is that a dog that is not on a leash may become unpredictable and uncontrollable, which elevates the risk of bites.

Are the Laws Different for Police Dogs?

The laws change a bit when dog attacks involve police or military dogs engaged in their official duties. For example, a bite victim has no legal grounds to sue if the victim was participating in criminal behavior or resisting arrest when the incident occurred.

Also, government agencies are immune to civil action if a dog was provoked by the victim while the dog was performing its standard duties. An exception to this rule exists if a government dog is overly aggressive and causes severe injuries to the victim.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is the amount of time a person has to pursue a civil case for personal injury damages, and dog bites fall within this category. If you want to sue, using a dog bite lawyer, you have two years to get the lawsuit started against the dog owner. However, you must file the lawsuit within six months if the dog owner is a government entity.

Are Dog Bite Attacks Preventable?

Although you can take steps to seek compensation when you hire a Riverside dog bite lawyer, the best option is to avoid dog bites in the first place. Even if a dog appears friendly and approachable, never interact with dogs you don’t know if you want to stay safe.

Remain calm and avoid eye contact if a dog shows signs of aggression so that you can de-escalate the encounter. If the dog jumps toward you or tries to bite, place your jacket or another object between you and the dog to protect your face, neck and other vital points.

How Can I Seek Compensation?

Despite your best effort, you won’t always be able to avoid a dog bite. Aside from first seeking medical attention, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer is the next most critical step after you have suffered a dog bite – if your goal is to seek compensation.

Your lawyer will help collect evidence and build your case in a way that will give you the highest odds of reaching a desirable outcome for your injury claims. This allows you to move forward with confidence and peace of mind, letting you know what to expect at each turn.

Getting Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer in Riverside

If you are looking for a Riverside dog bite attorney in whom you can trust, turn to the Rizio Lipinsky Heiting. Once you reach out to us for support and guidance, we will review the facts and help you determine the strength of your case. We will then collect evidence and file the required paperwork to get your case moving in the right direction.

Negotiating with the other party will give us a chance to reach a fair deal without going to trial. But we will zealously fight for you if you are not happy with the terms.

Contact our Riverside dog bite attorneys right away so that you can get the legal support you need, and you will be glad you did.

Our attorneys are ready to help today. All consultations are free. Furthermore, we work on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront fees for our service. We don’t get paid until you get paid!

Call 888-292-8888 or fill out our contact form to arrange a free consultation.