Dog Bite Lawyer in San Diego County, CA
Many people consider dogs to be their favorite four-legged friends, but even the seemingly sweetest dogs can sometimes attack for different reasons. If you’ve been bitten by someone else’s dog, you may be able to receive payments for injuries and other losses from the incident. Just as you would hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you in a truck accident case, you’ll want to have your dog bite case managed by a dog bite lawyer in San Diego, CA, who understands this area of the law and can offer you the best legal representation possible.
Dogs usually bite when they feel threatened or believe their owner’s safety is in danger, but dogs can also sometimes bite accidentally during play or when they’re unprovoked. Dogs that are in pain or have some other medical problem that causes discomfort sometimes bite as a way to defend themselves when they’re being petted. You could also get attacked if you work as a delivery driver or in another industry that involves making house calls. Another situation that could lead to a dog attack is if you’re passing by someone’s home and an aggressive dog gets loose.
Serious injuries, such as cuts, bone damage and puncture wounds that sometimes get infected, often result from dog attacks. You’re also at greater risk of getting rabies, tetanus and other infections if you’re bitten. You might be forced to miss work while you recover from a dog bite, which could cause you to lose money from lost work wages. Fortunately, you won’t have to face your hardships alone, and a dog attack attorney from Silverthorne Attorneys will work hard to get you the payment that helps make your life whole again.
If you have a dog that attacks someone else, you could face a dog bite lawsuit, regardless of whether your dog has acted aggressively in the past or not. Under California law, you’re responsible for paying a person’s medical bills, lost wages and other losses that resulted from your dog attacking them. Payment for pain and suffering is sometimes awarded in dog bite cases, especially if the dog attacked a child. In some cases, dog owners have even been criminally charged for failing to control their aggressive dogs. If your dog has a history of aggression, you might also be ordered by law to quarantine the dog or put it to sleep.
Another legal situation that sometimes arises is when a dog bites another dog, and you could be compensated or held legally responsible depending on whether your dog was the aggressor or the victim. What might seem like harmless play or socialization between two dogs could quickly become violent if one of the dogs bites the other as a show of domination or a reaction to fear or pain. Proving liability can sometimes be difficult when a dog attacks another dog, but an experienced dog bite attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim if your dog was hurt and you wish to file a lawsuit against the other dog owner.
Preventing dog attacks isn’t always possible, but there are some things that you can do to lessen the chances of your dog biting another person or dog if you’re a dog owner. If your dog is fearful in new environments or around different people or dogs, gradual exposure can help keep your dog from acting out aggressively. Since dogs sometimes bite when they’re experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s important to visit a vet regularly for health screenings that may identify any unknown health problems. If your dog has a history of aggressive behavior, you should keep your dog in your home or behind a secure fence. A leash and muzzle may prevent your dog from attacking when you’re out in public. Experts, such as dog trainers and pet psychologists, can also help prevent aggressive dog behavior.
If you or your dog is the victim of a dog bite, you shouldn’t wait to contact a dog bite attorney in San Diego for advice. A lawyer with Silverthorne Attorneys can review your case, help you gather supporting evidence and represent you in court. Your attorney may also be able to reach a settlement out of court so that you can get the payment you deserve with fewer legal challenges. Contact our office today to let us know about your case.