Dog Bite Injury FAQ
I’m Ed Smith, a Davis dog bite lawyer. Many people own dogs and value them as friends and companions. However, even the kindest dogs can bite when they are provoked. Dog bite injuries are more common than you might think. Recent studies show that the rate of severe, and even life-threatening, dog bite injuries are on the rise in the United States. Despite these injuries happening frequently, many people don’t know what to do after a dog bite or how to avoid them. Below I have included essential facts and information about dog bite injuries.
Are Dog Bites Covered by Insurance?
Dog bites are usually covered by the insurance policy of a property owner or by rental insurance. However, the amount of money that the insurance will pay out is different with every policy. In some cases of serious injury, these policies may not pay enough to cover medical expenses, money lost from time off work, and other costs related to the bite such as therapy, loss of quality of life, and more. Some policies may even exclude a specific breed of dog.
Typically, an insurance policy will try to pay the smallest amount of money that they can. Having a good personal injury lawyer with experience handling dog bite cases can help ensure that you receive more of the money that you deserve for your losses.
What Breeds Are Likely to Bite?
All dogs can bite and, in some cases, dogs will even bite people that they are familiar with. However, research groups have found that some breeds of dog cause bite injuries more often. Dog breeds that have had high rates of reported bites include:
- German Shepherd
- Alaskan Malamute
- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Dogo Argentino
- Great Dane
- Chow Chow
- Siberian Husky
- Bullmastiff
Am I Able to Sue after a Dog Bite?
California law has strict liability regarding dog bites. California Civil Code 3342 makes clear that dog owners are responsible for the injuries that their dog’s cause, regardless of whether or not the bite happens on private or public property. However, the bite must have occurred after a visitor was given express or implied permission to enter the property. This law is different for dogs used by government officers such as police or military. To learn more, you can call my office at (530) 392-9400.
What Injuries do Dog Bites Cause?
Dog bites can affect different places on the body and can mean extensive medical treatment and reconstructive surgery. While injuries to the face are often the most difficult to treat and can carry severe emotional effects, other common injuries include:
- Scarring
- Avulsions
- Tissue Loss
- Puncture Wounds
- Fractures
- Crush Injuries
More by Ed Smith, Davis Dog Bite Lawyer
Davis Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Davis dog bite lawyer. A dog bite can leave a person with lasting injuries that affect their lives. If you or anyone you know has been seriously hurt by a dog bite, contact me to get some free, friendly legal advice. You can call me at both (530) 392-9400 and (800) 404-5400.
For 36 years, Davis residents with personal injury and/or wrongful death claims have trusted my legal help with obtaining the payments they deserve.
To read excellent reviews from my clients, see:
I’m in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. I have membership in this forum because I’ve won and settled cases that were worth at least $1,000,000 for clients.
See our past Verdicts and Settlements.
For Northern California’s best information and reporting on topics related to personal injury, see my website, AutoAccident.com.
photo: “snarl dog terrier” by JamesDeMers via C.C.0
: ms [cs 631] cv