Dog Bite Attorneys in Scottsdale, Arizona
Every day, more than 1,000 people across the United States receive medical treatment for dog bites. Unfortunately, dog bites are one of the leading causes of injuries in our state. More than 25,000 people in Arizona are treated for dog bites every year. These incidents often force victims to spend thousands of dollars in medical expenses. In many cases, victims have to take extended time off work to recover.
In Arizona, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries and damages caused by their animals, regardless of whether or not the dog has a previous history of aggression. Although owners are liable for the actions of their pets, it does not make the process of obtaining compensation any easier for victims. Frequently, individuals are approached by the insurance company of the pet owner and offered minimal settlements for their injuries. Rather than accepting these offers, it is crucial for victims to contact a dog bite attorney in Scottsdale to receive full and fair compensation to cover the costs incurred from their incidents.
Working with a reputable dog bite attorney in Scottsdale is a victim’s best bet at recovering the maximum amount of compensation available to them. Over the years, ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, PLLC has helped numerous victims get the justice they deserve. Our team will investigate your claim, work with expert witnesses, gather documents and evidence in support of your claim, and take various steps to ensure you are able to properly recover. Contact our Scottsdale dog bite attorneys today to explore legal the options available for you.
Arizona Statutes on Dog Bites
Our state has numerous laws in place surrounding dog bites in order to protect victims. Generally, these laws are covered in sections A.R.S. 11-1025 on liability for dog bites through 11-1027. As Arizona is a strict liability state, dog owners can be held liable for damages and injuries regardless of whether the owner’s negligence played a role or if they had previous knowledge of their pet’s aggression. Even victims injured by the dog for the first time are able to file claims against the owner. An owner’s knowledge of the dog’s viciousness does not impact the owner’s liability. In some cases, particularly when a dog is under another person’s care, other than its owner, both the owner and the caretaker can be held liable for damages.
Although dog owners are responsible for injuries and damages under most circumstances, where are some instances where they are not liable. These include instances under ARS 11-1027 where a dog is provoked while on private property. If there are signs clearly posted on a property, and a trespasser enters the premises unlawfully, they will most likely not be able to recover any compensation for damages.
Although these statutes are applicable to dog bites, victims may be able to obtain compensation under common law negligence. These cases include situations of having a “dog at large,” which is not fenced in, leashed, or contained by the owner. If a victim is attacked in a park, for example, by an unleashed dog, a victim can seek damages under common law negligence as well as damages under dog bite statutes.
Victims who choose to pursue a lawsuit under dog bite statutes have only one year after the date of the accident to file a legal claim. Those who choose the common law negligence approach have a two-year statute of limitations. Working with a dog bite attorney in Scottsdale will help you determine the most aggressive and reliable approach to get you the money you deserve.
Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
Individuals who are big by a dog may be able to file a legal claim against at-fault and negligent owners. These legal claims help victims by alleviating the financial burdens resulting from their accidents. Our team at ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS has extensive experience helping accident victims recover the maximum amount of compensation available for their legal claims. Some of the damages we help victims collect compensation for include:
- The costs of all medical expenses resulting from their attacks.
- The costs of long-term care facilities, therapy, and other treatment needs.
- Lost wages due to missing work for medical appointments, recovery, and various other reasons related to their incidents.
- Lost earning capacity for victims unable to return to work indefinitely.
- Any costs for counseling, therapy, and surgeries needed.
- Mental and physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional anguish.
- Punitive damages.
- Wrongful death benefits.
- Miscellaneous costs of care.
In general, the property owner’s insurance policy will frequently cover the costs resulting from a dog attack. This coverage can be provided under homeowner’s insurance, business insurance, renter’s insurance, or landlord insurance, depending on where the incident occurred. It is crucial to contact one of our knowledgeable dog bite attorneys in Scottsdale as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected. Our team will review your claim and determine which parties can be held liable for all damages and injuries sustained.
What to do After a Dog Bite
Dog attacks can cause extensive and serious injuries. In many cases, victims are left to suffer the long-term impacts of these devastating incidents. Some of the most common injuries dog bite victims sustain include:
- Tissue loss
- Muscle damage
- Muscle impairments
- Broken/severed bones
- Extensive scarring
- Disfigurements
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Cellulitis
- Permanent nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Dog bites can have a devastating impact on the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of a victim. For these reasons, it is crucial for victims to take various steps toward ensuring their best interests and wellbeing are protected.
After a dog bite, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Furthermore, it is important to document the incident and gather evidence. Being able to take these proactive steps will make the claims process much easier for you. In addition to seeking medical attention, consider performing the following tasks:
Contact the police: You will want to file a police report. You should include the date, time, and location of the attack. The name of the dog owner, and other critical information surrounding the accident.
Get information from the owner: You will need the name, contact information, and insurance information from the dog’s owner. This will help streamline your claims process.
Gather evidence: Take photos of the location where the attack took place. If you were walking off the owner’s property, capture photographs of broken fencing, chains, or leashes, or other critical information. If possible, make video recordings and try to obtain any available surveillance footage.
Gather witness information: If anyone witnessed the attack, you will want to gather their names and contact information. They may be able to testify on your behalf at a later time or provide witness statements to your attorney and law enforcement whenever necessary.
Contact a personal injury attorney in Scottsdale: Contact a reputable and knowledgeable attorney from ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, PLLC as soon as possible. Our team will speak with medical professionals, law enforcement, witnesses, and gather evidence on your behalf.
Why Work with ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, PLLC
When individuals are harmed by dogs as a result of an owner’s negligence, it is imperative that they reach out to an aggressive and reliable dog bite attorney in Scottsdale to ensure their legal rights are protected. Victims may be entitled to compensation to cover various costs incurred from their accidents.
Our Scottsdale dog bite attorneys at ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, PLLC have decades of combined experience providing reliable and aggressive representation to victims to ensure they are able to collect the maximum amount of compensation available for their claims. Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims hold those at-fault accountable for their actions.
Some of the ways we help victims include:
- Investigating the dog and the owner’s history for past attacks and issues.
- Documenting injuries and treatment plans.
- Maintaining open and continual communication with victims about their claims.
- Handling communication between insurance companies.
- Preparing and negotiating for settlements.
- Taking cases to trial.
It is crucial for victims to collect the maximum amount of compensation available to cover the costs for medical treatment they need to recover. Our team is dedicated to helping victims collect full and fair compensation they deserve to ensure they are able to move forward from these traumatic incidents in the best position possible. We understand the difficulties victims face after a dog attack, which is why we are adamant about helping them protect their legal rights and obtain the outcome they expect for their legal claims.
Victims deserve justice for their painful and traumatic experiences and we are dedicated to helping them achieve the most ideal settlement for their claims. If you suffered a dog bite, contact ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, PLLC at (623) 877-3600 to see how we can help you. Schedule a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience so we can determine the best legal approach for you.