Our Evansville Dog Bite Lawyers Help You Overcome a Traumatic Animal Attack
About 4 million dog bite accidents are recorded annually in the United States. While the majority of bites are minor, some result in serious, or even fatal, injuries to innocent victims. When dog bites happen, the owner of the animal can—and should—be held liable for the incident. The Evansville dog bite lawyers at Tuley Law Office are here to guide you through the aftermath of an animal attack and help you get justice.
What Kinds of Injuries Do Dog Bites Cause?
Most dog bites involve the upper extremities, including the hands, arms, and fingers. Common injuries sustained as a result of dog or animal bites include:
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Scarring
- Infections
- Nerve or tendon damages
- Eye injuries
- Face injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Transmission of rabies
- Emotional trauma and fear of dogs
What Is the “One-Bite” Rule?
Owners of wild animals kept as pets are liable for injuries caused by the animal. However, owners of domestic animals may be held liable only if the owner knew or should have known that the animal has dangerous propensities or the breed to which the animal belongs has natural, dangerous propensities.
Dog owners in Indiana benefit from the common law presumption that all dogs are harmless domestic animals. Many people talk about the one-bite rule. Under the one-bite rule, an owner may not be held legally responsible for the first incident where their dog bites someone, as long as they had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous or likely to bite. However, this is a misnomer. The simple fact is that an owner of a dog can be held liable even for the first time their dog bites someone.
Factors that may apply include whether the owner:
- Knew the dog had bitten before. Liability under the one-bite rule often hinges on the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies or dangerous behavior. If the owner had prior knowledge (or “notice”) that the dog had bitten someone before, they may be held liable for subsequent bites or attacks.
- Failed to restrain the dog. If the owner failed to control the dog or allowed it to roam freely, they could be liable regardless of whether the dog had bitten someone before.
- Ignored signs of aggression. If the owner is aware that their dog has aggressive tendencies yet fails to take appropriate precautions (such as muzzling the dog or using a leash), this could be seen as negligent.
- Failed to train the dog. Owners have a responsibility to ensure their dogs are properly trained and socialized to interact safely with people and other animals. Neglecting to provide adequate training or socialization that could prevent aggressive behavior may constitute negligence.
- Failed to supervise the dog. Leaving a dog unattended in circumstances where it could harm others can be seen as negligent.
- Ignored warning signs. Disregarding warning signs that indicate the dog is in distress, fearful, or otherwise likely to react aggressively to people or other animals can contribute to negligence.
What Can a Lawyer Do for Me?
When a dog bite occurs in Indiana, factors like the circumstances of the attack, the dog’s history, and the actions of the owner are considered in determining liability. The legal team at Tuley Law can discuss the details of your case in order to obtain justice for your dog bite accident.
We can help you by:
- Talking to witnesses and gathering contact information
- Identifying the owner of the dog/animal
- Collecting the insurance information from the dog/animal owner
- Gathering evidence (including photos and visuals of the injury and its severity)
- Filing a dog bite report with your municipal government Negotiating with insurance companies to get adequate compensation for you
What If My Child Was Hurt by a Dog?
Children are at particular risk of suffering severe dog bite injuries for several reasons, including:
- Face-to-face interaction. Due to their smaller stature, children are more likely to suffer bites to the head and neck instead of their extremities.
- Inability to recognize threats. Children may assume all dogs are friendly, causing them to approach or mishandle dangerous animals.
- Slower reactions. Young children are not as agile or fast as adults, so they may be unable to escape or defend themselves in the first stages of a dog attack.
- Head trauma. Infants and small children may be picked up and shaken in the dog’s mouth or flung to the ground, causing severe head injuries or brain damage.
- Scarring. Dog bite injuries can lead to significant scarring, which may require long-term medical treatment and can result in permanent physical and emotional damage, particularly if the scars are visible or cause disfigurement.
While the majority of dog bite incidents cause only minor injuries, attacks involving children are far more likely to be fatal. It’s even more important to consult with an Evansville dog attack lawyer in these cases.
How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
Our Evansville dog bite injury lawyers know that these attacks can cause severe emotional and physical trauma, and the last thing victims need is another expense. Our personal injury law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs when we take your case. We only collect a fee when and if we successfully recover compensation.
It Costs Nothing to Speak to Our Evansville Dog Bite Attorneys
The legal team at Tuley Law Office has decades of combined experience in injury cases, and
we provide free case evaluations so victims can tell their stories. If you or a loved one needs dog bite legal help in the Evansville area, contact our team today for a free consultation on your case.