Our society loves dogs, but if you have been bitten by one, you may not be among their biggest fans right now. Dog bites can mean pain and expensive medical care. Your injuries could cause permanent scarring or disfigurement. In some cases, a dog attack can result in death.
When a dog bites someone, chances are there is a human somewhere who could have prevented it. You can hold a negligent pet owner responsible for the damage caused by their dog, and our Renton dog bite lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to move forward.
Our team of skilled attorneys at Premier Law Group has recovered over $100 million in awards and settlements for injured clients since 2001. Contact us today for a FREE case review to find out how our Renton personal injury lawyers can help with your dog bite case.
Who Is Liable When a Dog Bites Someone?
In Washington State, dog owners are generally liable if their dog bites someone. Our Renton dog bite attorneys will investigate your accident to determine what happened and who is responsible. In some cases, liability may extend to other parties, such as:
- A dog walker or pet sitter who failed to control the animal
- A landlord who knowingly allowed a dangerous dog on the property
- A business, such as a pet groomer whose negligence led to an attack
- Parents, if the dog owner is a minor
It is important to recognize that the victim’s behavior also affects liability. For example, taunting or injuring the dog could trigger the attack. In such situations, the pet owner might not be held responsible for the bite.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
In the aftermath of a dog bite, you can take important steps to protect both your health and your legal standing. These include:
Get Medical Care
Hopefully, you took the time to properly care for your wound after the dog bite. If you haven’t already, go and see a doctor as well. Your bite could require stitches, and you may need antibiotics to avoid an infection. Follow your doctor’s orders to ensure you are on the road to recovery.
When you see a doctor, you also create a record of your injuries. This may be important if you need to file a lawsuit or if the insurance company questions how badly you were hurt. Your medical records may be an essential piece of evidence.
Contact an Attorney
Reach out to our dog bites lawyers in Renton as soon as possible after your incident. We can get to work investigating the attack, identifying liable parties, and filing claims to recover compensation for your injuries.
An insurance company may try to convince you to take an early settlement far below what your case is worth, or take other steps to deny or delay your claim. We know their playbook, and we aren’t going to let them take advantage of you.
Report the Attack
For dog bites within the Renton city limits, report your incident to the Renton Department of Animal Control. Doing so ensures there is a record of the attack, and they can take action if necessary.
The circumstances of your dog attack may also warrant police intervention. For example, if a person trained their dog to bite and commanded them to attack you, they may face criminal charges for their actions.
Keep Detailed Notes
Recording important details about your case can help you remember them later and help your attorney better understand what happened. You may wish to note things such as:
- When and where the attack occurred
- Who was present
- What you were doing at the time of the bite
- The name and address of the person you believe owns the dog
- Expenses and costs incurred because of the attack
Do You Have to Sue the Owner for a Dog Bite?
No, you don’t always have to sue the dog’s owner after a bite, but a lawsuit may become necessary depending on the circumstances. In many cases, dog bite claims are first handled through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters’ insurance.
If the insurance company accepts the claim and offers a fair settlement, there might be no need to go to court. However, if the dog owner is uninsured, the claim is denied, or negotiations break down, a lawsuit may become necessary.
Our dog bite lawyers can file your claim, handle communication with the insurance company, and negotiate for a settlement with the goal of recovering maximum compensation. If necessary, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to court.
For a FREE legal consultation with a dog bites lawyer serving Renton, call (206) 285-1743
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Get Help from a Renton Dog Bite Attorney
You may still love dogs, even if you’ve encountered one that didn’t love you back. Dogs can bite if they’re scared, poorly trained, or neglected. Sadly, some people train their dogs to behave aggressively. If a dog has bitten you, there is probably a human responsible.
Dog owners have a duty to ensure people are safe from their pets. Our Renton dog bite attorneys can help you seek compensation from a negligent pet owner who did not control their dog or who failed to keep them out of situations where they could cause harm.
At Premier Law Group, our attorneys have over 55 years of combined experience advocating for the rights of injured victims in Washington State. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us your story.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.