Approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year, with about 800,000 of these people requiring medical care. These incidents can cause serious injuries, psychological trauma, and financial harm.
If a dog owner’s negligence led to your injuries, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the harm you’ve suffered. Horton Personal Injury Lawyers can help you demand fair compensation. Call us today to take advantage of a free consultation.
If you were injured in an animal attack, an experienced legal advocate from Horton Personal Injury Lawyers can protect your legal rights so you can focus on your recovery. Our Fayetteville, AR personal injury law firm sets itself apart from others due to:
Contact us today for a free case review to discuss your situation in confidence.
Arkansas does not have a specific state statute relating to dog bites. Instead, the state relies on common law principles, such as the One Bite Rule. This legal principle reasons that a dog owner should not be held responsible for their dog biting someone if they had no reason to suspect the dog would bite. This legal theory sometimes stands for the notion that the dog gets “one free bite” because the dog owner is then put on notice that their dog could bite people after the first bite.
However, Arkansas negligence rules do not necessarily mean that all dogs will get a free bite. Instead, factfinders look to the dog’s history and the dog owner’s knowledge of the dog’s conduct that would clue them in on the dog’s propensity for violence. For example, it could be shown that the dog was dangerous and the dog owner should have known of this dangerous behavior because it growls, snaps, or lunges at people or other animals.
Once the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s dangerous nature is established, the factfinder considers whether the dog owner took reasonable measures to prevent the dog from hurting others, such as:
In addition to civil penalties, dog owners can be held criminally responsible for unlawful dog attacks. This offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, the most severe category of misdemeanors in the state, which provides for up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Dog bite injuries can range from minor scrapes to life-threatening physical trauma. Some of the most common dog bite injuries and complications include the following:
Canine teeth can puncture the skin and leave gaping holes in victims. These injuries can increase the risk of infection because they push bacteria deep into tissue.
A dog’s teeth or nails can make torn, ragged, or jagged cuts that can be painful.
An avulsion injury involves a piece of the body that is torn away from the body, such as skin or an ear. These injuries are painful and disfiguring.
Sometimes, the dog’s teeth go into the nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in the injured area.
A dog can jump on top of the victim, or its jaw can apply such intense pressure that it breaks bones, tears muscles, or causes other crush injuries.
High-pressure bites or jumps on people can crush bones and lead to fractures or dislocations.
Some dog bite injuries cause torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
When a dog bites, its bacteria can enter the victim’s bloodstream. Dogs often have high bacterial loads in their mouths, so when the bite breaks the skin, the bacteria can cause an infection. Some infections are life-threatening.
Sometimes, dog bites lead to lasting psychological trauma, fear, and anxiety that far outlast the physical injuries.
Arkansas personal injury law allows dog bite victims to seek compensation for all of their accident-related injuries and losses, such as:
Our seasoned legal team can work closely with you to identify all applicable damages to include in your personal injury claim.
Every dog bite case is different, so there’s no average settlement amount that you can plan for. Instead, the potential value of your dog bite claim depends on factors specific to your case, such as:
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Successfully winning a dog bite injury claim generally requires showing the following legal elements to establish negligence:
The cornerstone of a successful dog bite claim is that the dog has acted aggressively in the past and that the dog bite was not a random event that could not have been anticipated. Through a thorough investigation and discovery requests, your dog bite lawyer may be able to obtain evidence of past aggressive behavior, such as:
You will also need to show that the dog owner knew about or should have known about the dog’s history of aggressiveness or previous dog bites. This might be indicated through evidence, such as:
Your personal injury attorney can also gather evidence to show that the dog owner did not take reasonable steps to protect you from harm, such as showing that they allowed their dog off-leash through photographic or video evidence or failed to put up warning signs about the dog.
As the plaintiff, you have the burden of showing the harm you suffered as a result of the incident. Your lawyer can help gather evidence of your damages, such as:
Knowing what to do after a dog attack is essential to protect you or your child following one of these dangerous incidents. Try to keep calm and follow these steps to protect your health and legal rights:
First aid can help minimize harm and prevent complications. Follow these tips for immediate medical care after a dog bite:
You may want to seek formal medical treatment to ensure you are okay, or if any of the following apply:
Ask neighbors or others if they are familiar with the dog and/or its owner. If possible, ask for the dog’s vaccination records.
If the dog’s owner is unknown or the animal is a threat to others, notify animal control or the police. This can help create an official record of the dog bite.
Use your cell phone to take pictures or videos of the following:
Write down the name of all witnesses and their contact information.
Keep good records of all information about your accident, including the value of your provable damages, such as:
While it’s understandable that you would like to receive settlement funds as quickly as possible to pay off your medical bills and other bills that have mounted since the incident, trying to do so on your own could put you at a disadvantage. The dog owner or their insurance company might try to blame you for the accident or try to convince you to accept a settlement that does not fairly compensate you for your losses. An experienced attorney can better evaluate your long-term needs and negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf.
An experienced Fayetteville dog bite lawyer will understand the relevant rules and procedures related to your case. They can also take legal action before the statute of limitations expires to protect your rights. Reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Don’t try to handle your legal claim alone. Turn to the experienced legal team at Horton Personal Injury Lawyers for assistance. We can investigate your case and demand the full compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.