When a dog bites, it is a terrifying experience. Few people understand what it is like to be savagely attacked by “man’s best friend.” When an animal attacks and leaves you with a serious injury, it can be difficult to know what you should do. Our Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers can provide you with the information you’re looking for so you can make informed decisions. Call the injury lawyers at KaplunMarx now to discuss your case during a free consultation.
How Common Are Dog Attacks?
Dog bites are far more common than many people think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 4.7 million dog bites in the U.S. every year. Many of these bites lead to severe wounds, and in some cases, even death.
Dog Bite Laws in Pennsylvania
If this is the first time the dog has ever bitten someone, the law in Pennsylvania examines the severity of the injury. Dog bites are considered severe if they cause broken bone(s), deep cuts, loss of body parts, etc.
When the injury is severe, there is strict liability for the damages caused. Strict liability means that the plaintiff does not have to prove negligence. In this situation, the dog’s owner is always liable.
The concept of strict liability also comes into play if the dog has a history of biting or engaging in dangerous behavior. In cases like these, the dog’s owner is automatically subject to strict liability for subsequent bites.
However, regardless of the type of injury suffered in a dog bite accident, there is strict liability for medical bills. That means that the owner of the dog, hopefully through an insurance policy, is always liable to cover the medical bills of the person bitten, even if the injuries are not considered severe.
What Types of Dogs Attack People?
Dogs of all different sizes and breeds are capable of attacking people. However, some breeds are more likely to attack than others. Some of the dog breeds that tend to attack more often than others include:
- Pit Bull
- German Shepard
- Rottweilers
- Huskies
- Bull Mastiff
- Bulldog
- Chihuahua
- Australian Shepard
Steps to Take After Being Bitten by an Aggressive Canine
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, call the police and ask for emergency medical assistance. Calling 9-1-1 ensures that you can get proper medical attention as soon as possible.
If possible, take some pictures of the scene where the bite occurred. Photos from the scene of the incident can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim.
You should also try to get information from the dog owner, and any witnesses that saw what happened. It’s much easier to collect this information now than it is to do so down the road.
Then, contact KaplunMarx, a personal injury law firm with local lawyers offering years of experience with dog bites. We will help you navigate the wonderful world of insurance claims and work tirelessly to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
Why Should I Hire Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers to Handle My Case?
There are a number of reasons why you should seek legal representation from a dog bite accident attorney in Philadelphia instead of handling the claim on your own. Dog bites are often covered under homeowners’ insurance coverage, but that’s not always the case.
Hopefully, the owner of the dog has insurance coverage through a homeowner’s policy, but every personal injury case is different. Having handled many dog bite cases, we will turn over every rock to try and find insurance coverage for your injury.
Once we identify the insurance company that covers your injuries, we will begin negotiating to reach a fair settlement on your behalf. Dealing with the insurance company–who does not have your best interests in mind–can be overwhelming and stressful for dog bite victims. But, we are not afraid of going head-to-head with an aggressive insurance adjuster.
We know all of the tricks that insurance adjusters use to lower the value of your claim or reject it altogether. But, we won’t let them get away with these sneaky tactics. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus solely on recovering from your dog bite wound.
If the insurance company fails to make a fair offer, our attorneys will end the negotiations and take your case to court. In court, we will present a strong case that clearly shows that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. We will not back down until we have successfully secured full compensation on your behalf.
Discuss your Case with Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers
Have you been injured as a result of being attacked by a dog? If so, contact an animal attack lawyer at KaplunMarx at once.
Our Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers have extensive experience helping dog bite victims recover the maximum compensation available in their personal injury claims. Schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia dog bite lawyer on our team by calling or filling out the form on our website.
