Sacramento Dog Bites Lawyer
Looking for a dog bite attorney in Sacramento? Golden Gate Legal can help you navigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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 Sacramento area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, our team has extensive experience handling dog bite cases and securing fair compensation for our clients in Sacramento. This guide will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, offer an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Sacramento
If you get a dog bite in Sacramento, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after any animal encounter in Sacramento is to get to a safe distance from the creature. Once you are out of harm's way, carefully assess yourself and others for any potential injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The most critical first step is to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or visiting an urgent care or emergency room. Doing so not only helps prevent serious infections from the bite but also officially documents the extent of your injuries.
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
After a dog bite in Sacramento, navigating the next steps can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The dedicated attorneys at Golden Gate Legal will manage the legal process and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you need.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims for clients throughout Sacramento. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to make sure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a single penny.
- 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 upfront, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is always ready to provide you with legal and emotional support whenever you need it.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by viewing our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle the entire legal process for your Sacramento dog bite claim so you can focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will collect all necessary evidence, 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 track your recovery progress to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed medical treatment, we will compile a detailed demand letter and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance provider, or the owner directly, to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight to hold the responsible party accountable.
- You Get Paid: As soon as your case is resolved, we handle the final paperwork to get your compensation check to you quickly, covering your 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. These 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 at-fault parties frequently try to undervalue claims to protect their profits, which makes it important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in our cases:
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 particularly deep bite, especially in a delicate area like the face or hands, can injure the nerves beneath the skin. This can cause anything from numbness and tingling to a lasting loss of function in that part of the body if it doesn't receive prompt medical attention.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave scars that are particularly visible on the face and hands. When an attack results in significant tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may be needed to help restore function and appearance, reducing the long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The powerful jaws of a dog, particularly a large one, can exert enough force to crush bone and inflict deep tissue or joint damage. These serious injuries often present with significant swelling and bruising and may require surgery, splints, or physical therapy to properly heal.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The wounds from a dog bite aren't just skin deep; the experience can also inflict lasting psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and a new fear of animals. This trauma can be particularly severe for children, who may need professional counseling to help them regain their confidence and emotional well-being.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Sacramento
Here are some of the major causes for dog bites in Sacramento:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog that lacks sufficient training or socialization might not know how to handle new or stressful experiences, causing it to bite as a reaction to feeling scared or disoriented.
Fear or Startling
A dog that is startled by a sudden movement or an unexpected touch may bite purely out of reflex, reacting to a perceived danger.
Territorial Behavior
A dog might consider its home, yard, or even its owner to be its territory, and it may bite if a stranger comes too close and is seen as a threat.
Rough Play
Forceful play or handling can make a dog feel like it's in danger, causing it to respond with aggression as a form of self-protection.
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
A dog in pain from an injury or illness might bite when touched or startled, as it may come to view physical contact as a source of more hurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
In Sacramento, you won't face any upfront attorney fees for your personal injury case. Our payment is contingent on winning or settling your claim, so you can pursue justice without any financial risk.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear under Civil Code § 3342, which applies a “strict liability” rule to dog bites. This means an owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, even if the animal had no history of aggression or the owner wasn't negligent. Generally, you don’t need to prove the owner was at fault, only that you were bitten and injured.
However, an owner's responsibility can be reduced or even eliminated in certain circumstances. For example, if the injured person was trespassing on the owner's property or provoked the dog, these details are crucial. The specific context of the incident can greatly influence the outcome of a dog bite case in Sacramento.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
Under California's Civil Code § 335.1, you have two years from the day you were bitten to file a claim. It's crucial to meet this deadline, as failing to do so typically means you lose your right to sue, no matter how clear the owner's fault may be.
An exception exists for minors, however. For victims who were under 18 when the bite occurred, the two-year clock only starts ticking on their 18th birthday, giving them an extended period to pursue legal action.
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 Sacramento, a dog owner is still responsible for a bite even if their dog was leashed or had never shown aggression in the past. The owner can be held accountable as long as you were lawfully present where the bite took place.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here in Sacramento, our team at Golden Gate Legal begins by understanding your unique situation, making sure you feel supported from day one. We also evaluate the full impact of your injuries, connecting you with trusted doctors for proper diagnosis and treatment.
While you concentrate on getting well, we take on the legal burden for you. Our goal is to secure the full compensation you are owed for your suffering, pain, and the road to recovery.
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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