Research suggests that over four million dog bites occur on a yearly basis in the US, with around 800,000 of them resulting in medical care. However, while dog bites are more common than you might expect, not every victim is compensated for their injuries.

Who is Liable for a Dog Bite Injury?

Before you sue for a dog bite, it’s important to know who is liable. The liability will vary from one state to the next so it’s important to understand who you are going to be filing a lawsuit against. For example, in some states, dog owners are liable for all damages to anybody except trespassers. On the other hand, some cases might be more complicated, such as in the case of a military or police dog that is being used to apprehend a criminal. If you are unsure of your state’s legislation regarding dog bites, a good personal injury lawyer like Horst Shewmaker can help. What factors should you look for when choosing a personal injury lawyer for a dog bite?

Good Track Record:

Be sure to opt for a personal injury lawyer that has consistently proven their ability to pursue and win cases in which clients have been injured by a dog bite. A lawyer that has extensive experience in winning cases similar to yours is unlikely to be intimidated by big insurance companies and will know all the tricks that are used to try and get the client to accept a lower settlement than they deserve.

Experience:

Choose a personal injury lawyer that not only has extensive experience in this field, but specifically specializes in dog bite litigation. A lawyer with experience will know how to handle the courtroom and the negotiating room on your behalf and will be able to make sure that you get the best compensation offer. Even if an attorney is highly educated, it’s important to understand that the practice of law is often quite different from the theory and spending a lot of time in the legal system is the only way to get a true handle on it.

Communication and Attention:

Your case matters to you, so it’s important that you are working with a lawyer who can demonstrate that it matters a lot to them as well. Many personal injury lawyers work with various different clients and different cases at the same time, so it’s important that they are able to prioritize and manage their time in order to ensure that each client gets the personal attention, communication and updates that they deserve. Your lawyer should be somebody who is able to return your calls and emails quickly and schedules in time with you to go over your case and provide you with regular news on developments.

If you have been bitten by a dog and are in a position to sue for personal injury, having the right lawyer by your side can make all the difference. A good personal injury attorney will understand all the tricks that insurance companies use and will work to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.