Bakersfield Dog Bites Lawyer
Looking for a dog bite attorney in Bakersfield? The team at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can leave you with more than just physical scars; the emotional toll can be just as challenging. If you're seeking legal representation in the Bakersfield area for a dog bite incident, contact us at the number below for help.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience helping victims of dog bites in Bakersfield navigate their claims and secure the compensation they deserve. This article will guide you through the immediate steps to take after a bite, provide an overview of the legal process, and answer some of the most common questions you may have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Bakersfield
If you are bitten by a dog in Bakersfield, it's important to follow the steps below to protect yourself:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority is to get to a safe distance from the animal to prevent any more harm. Once you're out of danger, carefully assess yourself and anyone with you for injuries from the incident here in Bakersfield.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
After a dog bite, your health is the top priority, so call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room without delay. Getting checked by a doctor is vital to prevent serious infections and to make sure your injuries are officially documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
After a bite, contact the police and local animal control to file an official report. They will gather details from everyone involved, and you should be sure to ask for a copy of the report for your own records.
Collect Information and Evidence
Exchange contact and insurance information with the owner, confirm the dog is up-to-date on its shots, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the scene of the incident. This evidence is vital for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for substantiating any future claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If a dog has bitten you in the Bakersfield area, the compassionate team at Golden Gate Legal is ready to step in and guide you through the legal process. Our skilled attorneys will take on the burden of negotiating with insurance adjusters and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, our attorneys have dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims 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 team fights to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to after a dog bite incident.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so there is no financial risk to you.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is here for you 24/7 to answer your questions and provide the support you need.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle the entire legal process for your dog bite claim in Bakersfield so you can focus on your recovery, and it works like this:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to discuss the details of the dog bite incident, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will gather all necessary proof, like medical reports and witness accounts, and manage all the paperwork and communications with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will keep track of your recovery to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've finished treatment, we will send a detailed demand to the dog owner's insurance company and negotiate aggressively to get you the best possible settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn't offered, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- You Get Paid: As soon as your case is won or settled, we handle the final details to get your compensation check to you quickly.
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 because of the incident. 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
Insurance companies and the parties at fault often try to undervalue your claim to protect their own profits, making it crucial to have experienced California personal injury attorneys from Golden Gate Legal on your side.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this isn't an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s pointed teeth can create deep puncture wounds or cause rough lacerations that go through the skin into the underlying tissue. These types of wounds often bleed a lot, can easily get infected, may need to be stitched up, and can result in permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
If a dog’s teeth break the skin, bacteria from its mouth can be transferred into the wound, leading to significant soft-tissue infections, painful abscesses, and in severe cases, infections that can travel throughout the body.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A severe dog bite can easily damage underlying nerves, especially in vulnerable areas. The aftermath can range from tingling and numbness to chronic pain and, in serious cases, a permanent loss of function in the affected body part if not addressed promptly.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Scars are a frequent result of dog bites, and they can be especially distressing when on visible areas like the face or hands. If the bite causes substantial tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery might be needed to repair the injury and lessen any long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
Bites from powerful, larger dogs can exert enough force to crush and fracture bones or inflict serious trauma on joints. These types of injuries are often accompanied by severe swelling and bruising, and may require surgery, splints, or physical therapy for a full recovery.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The scars from a dog bite aren't always visible; the attack can leave deep emotional wounds like a lasting fear of dogs, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is especially true for children, who may need professional counseling to help them recover and feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, most dog bite incidents can be traced back to a few common causes:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog that hasn't been properly trained or socialized can become overwhelmed in stressful situations, often leading to a bite driven by fear or confusion.
Fear or Startling
Likewise, a dog that is startled by a sudden approach or an unforeseen touch might bite reflexively, reacting to what it perceives as an immediate threat.
Territorial Behavior
Some dogs are very protective of their space or their owners, and they might bite if a stranger gets too close to what they consider their territory.
Rough Play
When playtime becomes too intense or forceful, a dog may feel cornered and react defensively out of a perceived need to protect itself.
Protective Instincts
A dog might become possessive over things it values, like its food bowl or a specific person. Attempting to remove that valued item can trigger a defensive bite.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is sick or injured, it may bite if startled or handled because it anticipates that touch will cause more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our Bakersfield personal injury clients, there are no upfront legal costs. We only receive payment if we win or settle your case, which means you face no financial risk.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law holds dog owners strictly responsible for bites. This "strict liability" rule means that if a dog bites someone, the owner is liable for the injuries, even if the dog had never shown any aggressive tendencies before and the owner wasn't being careless. Essentially, you don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you just need to show that the bite happened and it resulted in an injury.
However, there are a few situations where an owner's responsibility might be reduced. For instance, if the person who was bitten was trespassing on private property or was intentionally provoking the animal, the owner may not be held fully liable. The specific circumstances of the incident are key, which is why it's important to understand these rules when handling a dog bite claim in Bakersfield.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
Under California law, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a claim or lawsuit, as specified in Civil Code § 335.1. It's crucial to act within this timeframe, because if you miss it, your case will almost certainly be thrown out, even with clear evidence of the owner's liability.
For victims who were under 18 when the bite occurred, the rule is different. The two-year deadline doesn't begin until they reach their 18th birthday, giving them an extended period to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file an insurance claim, the company has specific deadlines to meet. They must confirm they've received your claim and begin their investigation within 15 days of you contacting them. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim forms, they have 40 days to decide whether to accept or reject your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company is then required to issue payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole process should wrap up within a total of 85 days from when you provided all the necessary documentation.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Bakersfield, a dog owner is responsible for a bite even if their dog was on a leash and had never been aggressive before. As long as you were legally on the property where the bite happened, the owner can be held liable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Bakersfield, our first step is to listen to your story so you feel heard and supported from day one. We also help evaluate the extent of your harm, which might mean connecting you with the right medical experts to ensure you get the proper care.
Your main job is to focus on getting better. While you do that, our team will handle all the legal complexities, fighting to get you the financial award you're entitled to. This compensation is meant to cover everything from your medical bills and lost income to the personal toll the injury has taken on your life.
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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