A dog bites you, and you are injured. You treat your injuries, but are worried about how to pay the costs of doing so. Meanwhile, you do not want anything to happen to the dog that injured you if you take legal action against the pet’s owner. At this point, meet with a North Providence dog bite lawyer. That way, you can learn about your legal options and decide how to proceed.
Gemma Law has more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Our team knows what legal challenges you will face if you ask a dog owner to provide you with money after their pet bites you. We can guide you through the legal process and help you make informed decisions every step of the way. Speak with a North Providence personal injury lawyer.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After a Dog Bites You
You do not have to take responsibility if a dog bites you. The pet’s owner can be held accountable for the harm you have suffered. A North Providence dog bite attorney explains how you can ask for money from the owner of an animal that bites you.
Generally, you can file an insurance claim for compensation from a dog owner if you are injured after their animal attacks you. However, a liable party’s insurer can dispute your claim. Your lawyer negotiates a settlement for you. If they cannot get you a fair offer, your attorney can present your case to a judge or jury.
The Gemma Law team knows what a dog bite case entails. We can provide you with insights into how long it takes to settle a dog bite claim. If you move forward with an insurance claim or lawsuit, we can handle your legal matters with care. Schedule a free case consultation with us.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving North ProvidenceCall 401.467.2300
How Much a North Providence Dog Bite Case is Worth
If a dog attacks you, do not wait to report the incident. The City of Providence offers FAQs to dog bite victims. It encourages you to notify Animal Control, and the dog owner will be required to quarantine their pet for 10 days. A dog bite lawyer in North Providence can help you get damages for many reasons, including:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
Your attorney determines how much your dog bite case is worth. From here, they craft an argument that makes it clear you are in no way liable for your dog bite injuries. If this argument is successful, you are well-equipped to be compensated for your losses.
North Providence Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
When to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit
You may have three years from the date a dog attacks and bites you to sue the pet’s owner for damages. A dog bite attorney in North Providence teaches you about Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. They answer common questions about personal injury cases and help you get the money you need to recover financially from your dog bite injuries.
It is highly unlikely that a dog will be euthanized if it bites you. A dog’s owner is responsible for their pet. If this animal bites you, the pet’s owner may be liable. You could get compensation from this individual as part of a claim through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Or you could seek compensation via a lawsuit.
You could get a settlement offer from a liable pet owner or their insurance company. Just because you receive a settlement proposal does not mean you should approve it. If a settlement is less than what you feel you deserve, decline it. Next, your attorney remains focused on your case and positions you to secure maximum compensation.
How to Prove a Dog Owner is Responsible for Your Injuries
Your lawyer understands the power of discovery relative to your case. They gather accident scene photos, witness statements, and other proof. With a wide range of evidence, your attorney can show that a dog owner was negligent. Ultimately, your lawyer wants to highlight how the following elements of negligence were present when this individual’s dog bit you:
- Duty of Care: This is a legal obligation in which a dog owner is expected to take precautions if they feel their dog could attack someone to keep their pet from doing so.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The obligation is violated if a dog owner allows their dog to bite you.
- Causation: Because the dog owner chose not to keep their dog a safe distance from you, the animal attacked you, and you were injured.
- Damages: You are dealing with losses as a result of the dog owner’s actions.
Expect the dog owner to fight back against your case. This individual could hire a lawyer who argues that you are partly or fully responsible for your dog bite injuries. Your attorney considers the dog owner’s case and looks for ways to poke holes in their argument.
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How Pure Comparative Negligence Can Impact Your Case
A dog owner could claim that you did something that prompted their dog to bite you. This could compel a judge or jury to believe you are in some way liable for a dog attacking you. Based on Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence statute, the court has the right to award partial damages if you are found to be partially to blame for your dog bite injuries.
With pure comparative negligence, a judge or jury can reduce the damages you receive by your percentage of fault. You can still obtain damages even if you are 99% at fault for a dog biting you. Yet, you may have to cover some or most of your losses by yourself.
Your lawyer works diligently on your case. They want your argument to lead a judge or jury to award you 100% of the damages you request. As part of their efforts, your lawyer develops a custom legal strategy for you. They make sure your argument explains the harm you have suffered and why you deserve to be compensated for it.
Trust a North Providence Dog Bite Lawyer Who Stays Ahead of the Curve in the Constantly Evolving Legal Landscape
Gemma Law is a proven choice for those who want legal representation in a dog bite injury case. We commit substantial time and resources to your case and can help you recover damages that meet your expectations. Request a free case consultation with us.
Call or text 401.467.2300 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form