Dog bite injuries are perhaps one of the more unique types of personal injury cases. These lawsuits involve a direct attack by an animal and negligence on behalf of the owner who should've had control. A lot of myths get in the way of people taking action when they have been bitten by a dog and sustained injuries. Take a look at some of the most common myths associated with dog bite injuries and the actual facts you should know.
Myth: You can't sue someone if you were on their property.
If you were on someone else's property when you were attacked by the guilty canine, it does not mean that you do not have a personal injury claim to file or that you were at fault for what happened. As long as you were on the property with the owner's permission, they can be held liable for your injuries. Even in some cases when people make their way onto private property without permission and get bitten it may still be possible to file a lawsuit; the situation can vary according to the state.
Myth: If you file a lawsuit, the dog will be euthanized.
If you seek medical care after being bitten by a dog, an investigation will likely ensue whether you file a personal injury claim or not. Most cities actually require these incidents to be reported to local animal control authorities, but this does not always mean that the animal will be euthanized because of the attack. Even though you have been bitten, it is perfectly understandable if you do not want the dog to lose its life. Typically, the only cases that dogs are euthanized are if the attack was especially severe, the animal has attacked more than once, or if the dog attacked a minor.
Myth: You can't file a suit if the dog cannot be found.
You never found the dog that bit you, but you do know who owned the animal. Unfortunately, some dog owners will try to get rid of an attacking dog immediately after an attack because of fear of being held responsible in court. Even if the dog cannot be found, it does not mean that you cannot file a lawsuit against the owner. The attorney will help you collect evidence that the dog belonged to a certain individual and prove the owner should be held liable for your injuries.
For more information, contact companies such as The Lombardo Law Firm.
Someone else does something silly. You get hurt and incur thousands of dollars' worth of medical bills, and you're also forced to take a month off from work. It doesn't really sound fair, does it? It's not. But luckily, there is a way you can ensure the responsible party ends up paying for your expenses, and that's by hiring a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can file a civil suit against the person who caused your injuries, so you can get paid what you deserve.
Learn more about personal injury attorneys and the work they do right here. When you're injured due to someone else's actions, this information will come in really handy.