Avondale Dog Bite Lawyers

Even though dogs are considered “man’s best friend,” there are times when they aren’t that friendly.

If you have suffered injuries after a dog attack, Arizona state law allows you to file a case to seek compensation from the dog owner. During such a time, it’s advisable to understand your rights if a dog severely harms you.

Gerber Injury Law is here to help, boasting over two decades of experience in personal injury cases. Our reputable Avondale dog bite injury lawyers are ready to look at the facts of your case and advise you on the best way forward.

Steps To Take After a Dog Bite Attack

After a dog bite, it’s advisable to take steps to guarantee your well-being and preserve evidence in your Avondale dog bite case. Be sure to follow these steps regardless of whether you think your injuries are mild or severe:

• Leave the scene immediately. Don’t stay at the scene to speak to the dog owner and risk sustaining more injuries.
• Seek medical care. Even if the bite seems minor, you may suffer severe infection if the bite isn’t treated. Adrenaline may also mask your injury’s seriousness, making it more important to seek immediate medical attention.
• Report the dog attack. Contact 911, your local authorities, or the Animal Care and Control Unit in Maricopa County, informing them of the incident. Ensure you give them the names and details of witnesses, identifying information about the dog, and the dog owner’s details.
• Request an official incident report. Once the authorities complete their investigation into the incident, request a copy of the report. Doing so helps with your injury case. Additionally, get the names and contact details of the authorities involved in your dog bite case.
• Call your lawyer. Contact Gerber Injury Law as soon as possible to discuss your case. Our legal team will protect your rights throughout the claim or trial process. We promise to treat you like family every step of the way.
• Keep track of your medical bills. Remember to keep copies of your medical bills and any other expenses related to the dog bite. Tracking your expenses can help your Avondale dog bite lawyer accurately place a value on your personal injury claim.

Potential Dog Bite Injuries

Bite wounds are typically inflicted on victims’ legs or around the neck and head, with the most significant risk being infection. It’s hard to tell what diseases a dog may carry and transfer to humans — especially if they are unvaccinated. Some of the injuries that injured dog bite victims may sustain include:

• Broken bones
• Loss of limbs
• Skin wounds, such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes
• Torn muscles
• Rabies
• Scarring

Still, victims may take months or even years to recover from emotional injuries, including:

• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Lower self-esteem brought about by disfigurement and scarring
• Nightmares

State law also requires that the dog be quarantined for 10 days from the bite date. This is a precautionary measure to ascertain whether the dog has rabies.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

If you were attacked by a dog and sustained injuries, our personal injury lawyers can prove the dog owner’s negligence. We can look into the details of your case and establish that you didn’t provoke the dog, helping you pursue compensation that may include:

• Medical expenses related to the injury
• Lost wages
• Pain medication
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring
• Reduced earning capacity
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Property damage

In rare cases, injured victims may recover punitive damages. This may happen in cases where the dog owner’s actions were malicious.

How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

A dog bite can lead to catastrophic injuries and severe emotional trauma. During such a time, it’s best to consult Avondale dog bite lawyers to find out if you have a potential dog bite claim. Keep in mind that the dog owner’s insurance company will likely get in touch with you to record a statement about the incident. Note that insurers don’t have your best interests in mind. Their primary goal is to make money by limiting or denying payouts.

Insurance adjusters are trained to use certain tactics to get you to make implicative statements that will hurt your claim. By asking if you are okay or how badly you are hurt, they hope you’ll say something that downplays the extent of your injuries. This, in turn, devalues your dog bite claim.

Our attorneys know their tricks and tactics and how to avoid them. If you have a valid personal injury claim, we will talk to the insurance company on your behalf and keep you up to date.

Here’s what to expect from our legal team:

• Gather witness statements.
• Consult experts like veterinarians to testify in support of your case.
• Gather the dog’s records from the animal control unit.
• Evaluate your damages.
• Negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company.
• Represent you in court, if necessary.

Time Limit for Filing a Dog Bite Claim

After a dog bite injury in Avondale, AZ, you have two years to file a claim from the time of the dog bite. If you don’t file your claim within this time frame, the court may throw it out, which means you might not get any help for your injury. 

Talk to Avondale Dog Bite Lawyers Today

Have you sustained injuries after a dog bite in Arizona? Do you believe the dog owner should have taken appropriate measures to prevent the attack? Have you sustained damages like medical bills following the injury? Contact Avondale dog bite lawyers to discuss your case.

At Gerber Injury Law, we are committed to offering you exceptional legal counsel and representation. Our attorneys will go above and beyond to earn your trust and respect during the entire process. Let us help you get justice after you sustain a catastrophic dog bite injury.

Call us today at 623-486-8300 to schedule your initial case review. Let us help you every step of the way.