Bakersfield Dog Bites Lawyer
Hurt by a dog bite in Bakersfield? The dog bite lawyers at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can leave deep scars, both physically and emotionally, that last long after the initial attack. If you are seeking legal representation in the Bakersfield area for a dog bite incident, our experienced team is here to help.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have a proven track record of successfully representing dog bite victims and securing the compensation they deserve. This guide will walk you through the immediate steps to take after an incident, provide an overview of the legal process, and answer the most common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Bakersfield
If you are bitten by a dog in Bakersfield, it is important to follow the steps below to protect your health and your legal rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after an animal bite in Bakersfield is to put a safe distance between you and the animal to prevent any more harm. Once you're in a secure spot, carefully check yourself and any companions for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The most important first step is to seek immediate medical care by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. Prompt medical treatment is crucial for preventing serious infections and ensures your injuries are officially documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Contacting the police and local animal control is a crucial step to ensure the incident is officially documented. These authorities will gather evidence, take statements, and identify the dog and its owner, so remember to ask for a copy of the report for your own records.
Collect Information and Evidence
You should exchange contact and insurance details with the owner, verify the dog's vaccination records, and take pictures of your injuries and the surrounding area. This documentation is key to safeguarding your well-being and preserving your rights down the road.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
Navigating the aftermath of a dog bite in Bakersfield can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. The compassionate team at Golden Gate Legal can handle the complex legal process and deal with insurance companies, fighting to secure the compensation you need to recover.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury proceedings for clients in Bakersfield. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold negligent parties accountable and help you obtain the full compensation you are entitled to.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests when you cannot, guiding you through the entire recovery process.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive payment if we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is here to provide legal and emotional support whenever you need it, so you can focus on your recovery.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle every step of the legal process for our Bakersfield clients so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost consultation to listen to your experience, assess the details of the dog attack, and determine the strength of your claim.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will collect all crucial evidence, like medical reports and witness accounts, and manage all the necessary paperwork and communications with insurance providers for you.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will track your recovery progress to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed your medical treatment, we will compile a detailed demand letter and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance company, or the owner directly, to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): Should the opposing party refuse a fair settlement, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights.
- 6. You Get Paid: Upon the successful resolution of your case, we handle the final paperwork so you can quickly receive your payment for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the various damages you've suffered as a result of the attack. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological counseling
To protect their bottom line, insurance companies and the responsible parties will often attempt to undervalue your claim, making it essential to have skilled California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal fighting for you.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle in personal injury cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s sharp teeth can cause deep puncture wounds or create jagged tears, known as lacerations, that break through the skin and damage underlying tissue. Such injuries frequently lead to significant bleeding, pose a high risk of infection, often require stitches to heal correctly, and can leave permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
An open wound from a dog bite allows oral bacteria to invade, which can result in serious complications ranging from localized skin infections and abscesses to widespread, dangerous infections like sepsis.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A powerful bite can crush or sever nerves, especially in vulnerable places like the hands or face. This kind of damage can cause numbness, tingling, or chronic pain, and if medical attention is delayed, it could lead to a permanent loss of use in that part of the body.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave scars that are especially noticeable on areas like the face and hands. If the injury involves serious tissue damage or tearing, reconstructive surgery may be needed to help restore the victim's appearance and reduce the lasting disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The powerful jaws of a large dog can easily crush bones and damage soft tissues, causing fractures and joint injuries that often come with significant swelling and may require surgical intervention, casting, or extensive physical therapy for recovery.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional scars from a dog bite, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be just as severe as the physical injuries, often leading to a persistent fear of dogs and anxiety that may necessitate therapy, particularly for younger victims.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Bakersfield
Many factors can lead to a dog bite, but some of the most common reasons for dog attacks in Bakersfield include:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog that lacks proper training might not have the tools to handle a scary or new experience, which can lead to a bite driven by fear or confusion.
Fear or Startling
Likewise, if a dog is caught off guard by an unforeseen noise or a quick, unexpected movement, its instinct may be to bite as a form of self-protection.
Territorial Behavior
A dog's natural instinct to protect its home, yard, or owner can result in a bite if they feel threatened by someone getting too close.
Rough Play
When playtime gets too physical, a dog can feel threatened and may bite or snap in an attempt to defend itself from what it perceives as danger.
Protective Instincts
A dog might instinctively guard things it values, such as its food, toys, or even a particular spot on the couch, and may bite if it feels those resources are threatened.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is hurt or feeling unwell, it might bite if startled or touched because it may associate that contact with its pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
Here in Bakersfield, you don't need to worry about upfront costs for a personal injury lawyer. We operate on a simple promise: if we don't win or settle your case, you don't pay us a dime.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their pets cause. This means that even if an owner denies responsibility, they are generally accountable if their dog bites someone. It doesn't matter whether the dog had a history of aggression or if the owner was being careless at the time. Essentially, you don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you only need to show that the bite happened and that you were injured as a result.
However, there are a few exceptions. An owner's liability could be reduced or even dismissed if the injured person was trespassing on their property or provoked the animal. Because of these nuances, the specific context of the incident is crucial for any dog bite case in Bakersfield.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year window from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit under Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within that period, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue, even if the dog's owner was clearly at fault.
However, there's an exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock doesn't start ticking until their 18th birthday, giving them more time to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies must confirm they have received your claim and start their investigation within 15 days of you filing it. From the day they receive all your necessary proof-of-claim paperwork, they have 40 days to make a decision on whether to accept or deny it.
Once a claim is approved, the company is required to issue payment within 30 days. This means that, according to California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the entire process from start to finish should take no more than 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Bakersfield, a dog's owner can be held responsible for a bite even if the animal was on a leash and had never shown aggression before. California law holds the owner accountable as long as you were in a place you were legally allowed to be when the bite happened.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
For our clients in Bakersfield, Golden Gate Legal’s first priority is understanding your unique situation so you feel heard and supported. We also assess the full scope of your injuries and can refer you to specialized doctors to ensure you receive proper medical attention.
You should focus on healing; we will handle the legal fight. Our team works to secure the compensation you deserve for your recovery, pain, and suffering.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
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We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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