Riverside Dog Bites Lawyer
Hurt by a dog bite in Riverside? A dog bite attorney at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
A dog bite can leave you with more than just physical scars; the emotional trauma can be just as challenging to overcome. If you are looking for legal representation in the Riverside area, our experienced team is ready to help.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have a proven track record of successfully handling dog bite cases for clients throughout Riverside. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do after an attack, explain the legal process, and address the key questions you might have about your situation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Riverside
If you've unfortunately been bitten by a dog in Riverside, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
After any animal encounter in Riverside, the most important first step is to move to a safe distance from the animal. Once you're out of harm's way, take a moment to carefully check yourself and others for any bites or scratches.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your first priority after a dog bite is to get medical help, so call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. Prompt medical care is crucial for preventing serious infections from any wound, and it also creates an official record of the incident.
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 Riverside area, the attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can provide the expert support you need during this difficult time. We will handle the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can concentrate on your recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience helping clients in Riverside with dog bite cases and a wide range of other personal injury claims. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without a penny lost.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees to start your case, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide a free case evaluation and support you from day one to your final settlement.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
Here’s how we handle the legal process for your Riverside claim so you can focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, address your concerns, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will collect all necessary proof, like medical reports and witness accounts, and then manage all the paperwork and communication with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We assist in coordinating your medical care and track your recovery progress, ensuring the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've finished your medical treatment, we'll build a detailed demand letter and negotiate with the responsible party's insurance company to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn't offered, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight to hold the dog owner responsible.
- You Get Paid: When your case concludes successfully, we handle the final details to make sure you get paid quickly for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog bite, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the various losses 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
To protect their own profits, insurance companies and the at-fault party will often try to undervalue your claim, which is why it's so important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like the team at 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 sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or jagged cuts that tear through the skin and underlying tissue, often causing significant bleeding, carrying a high risk of infection, requiring stitches, and leaving behind permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog’s bite breaks the skin, it can introduce bacteria that may cause anything from a simple skin infection to a more severe abscess or a dangerous, body-wide infection like sepsis.
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
Dog attacks frequently result in scarring, which can be especially noticeable on visible areas like the face and hands. When an injury involves significant tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may be required to repair the area and minimize long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
A bite from a larger dog can have enough force to crush and break bones or cause serious joint damage. These types of crush injuries often lead to severe swelling and bruising, and recovery may involve surgery, splints, or physical therapy.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The impact of a dog bite often goes beyond the physical wound, causing significant emotional and psychological trauma like anxiety, a fear of dogs, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For children especially, such an experience can be deeply distressing and may require professional counseling to help them recover and feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Riverside
Many dog bites that happen in Riverside can be attributed to a few common causes:
Lack of Proper Training
Improperly trained or socialized dogs often lack the tools to handle stressful encounters, making them more prone to biting out of fright 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 play gets too physical, a dog can feel threatened and may bite or snap in an attempt to defend itself against a perceived danger.
Protective Instincts
When a dog is possessive of items like food and toys, or even people, they may bite if you attempt to remove what they are protecting.
Pain or Illness
An injured or sick dog might bite if touched unexpectedly, as it may connect that physical contact with more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
In Riverside, you won't face any upfront costs for personal injury representation. We only collect a fee if we successfully settle or win your case, so you carry no financial risk.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law holds dog owners strictly responsible for bites. This means that even if an owner denies responsibility, they are generally liable for any injuries their dog causes. It doesn't matter if the dog had never shown aggression before or if the owner wasn't being careless at the time. For the most part, you only need to prove that the bite happened and that it resulted in an injury.
However, there are a few situations where an owner's liability might be reduced. For instance, if the injured person was trespassing on private property or was intentionally provoking the animal, the owner may not be held fully responsible. The context of the incident is key, and understanding your specific situation is crucial when pursuing a claim in Riverside.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year deadline from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, according to Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within this period, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue, even if the dog's owner was clearly at fault.
There is a notable exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year statute of limitations doesn't start until they reach their 18th birthday, giving them more time to file a claim.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, your insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and begin its investigation. After you provide all the required documentation for your proof of claim, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny it.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to send payment within 30 days. According to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire settlement process should generally be completed within 85 days from start to finish.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Riverside, a dog owner is still responsible for a bite even if their dog was on a leash or had never shown aggression before. If you were lawfully in the place where the bite occurred, the owner can be held liable for your injuries.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Riverside, we start by listening to your story. It's important for us to understand the full impact of the accident on your life so we can provide the best support. We also help evaluate the extent of your injuries and can connect you with trusted medical specialists to ensure you receive the proper care.
While you concentrate on your health and well-being, our team will manage all the legal complexities. We will tirelessly pursue the financial award you are entitled to, fighting for compensation that covers your medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you've endured.
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.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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