San Bernardino Dog Bites Lawyer
Bitten by a dog in San Bernardino? The experienced dog bite attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you're owed.
A dog bite can leave you with both physical scars and emotional trauma, making the path to recovery feel overwhelming. If you've been bitten by a dog in the San Bernardino area and need legal representation, our team is here to help; contact us at the number below for a consultation.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases throughout San Bernardino, fighting for the compensation our clients deserve. This guide will walk you through the immediate steps to take after an incident, 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 San Bernardino
If a dog bites you in San Bernardino, it's crucial to follow the steps below to ensure you handle the situation correctly:
Make Sure You're Safe
The most important first step is to move to a secure spot, away from the animal, to prevent any further attacks. Once you are safe, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries sustained during the incident in San Bernardino.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health is the top priority, so call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical care. Even seemingly minor wounds can lead to serious infections, and seeking prompt treatment ensures your injuries are properly documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Notify the authorities by calling the police and animal control to ensure the dog bite is properly documented. These officials can gather evidence and witness statements, and you should always ask for a copy of the official report for your own files.
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
After a dog bite in San Bernardino, seeking legal guidance is a crucial step toward protecting your rights. The dedicated team at Golden Gate Legal will navigate the legal system on your behalf, ensuring you can focus on your recovery while we pursue the justice and financial support you need.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and many other personal injury proceedings for residents of San Bernardino. 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 compensation you are entitled to.
- 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 while we take care of 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 available to provide the legal and emotional support you need throughout your case.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your San Bernardino personal injury claim so you can focus on what matters most—your healing:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a complimentary meeting to discuss the specifics of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and assess the strength of your claim.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers all crucial evidence, such as medical records and witness statements, and handles all the paperwork and communication with insurance companies on your behalf.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we help coordinate your medical care and monitor your progress to ensure the full extent of your injuries is accurately documented for your case.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is complete, we build a comprehensive demand package and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance provider to achieve the highest possible settlement for you.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): If the opposing party refuses to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- 6. You Get Paid: After your case is successfully resolved, we finalize all the details to ensure you promptly receive your compensation check for medical expenses, lost income, 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
Insurance companies and at-fault parties often try to pay out as little as possible to protect their own profits, which is why it’s so important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like the team at Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
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 create deep puncture wounds or cause jagged cuts that tear the skin and tissue. These injuries often bleed a great deal, are highly susceptible to infection, may need stitches, and can leave permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
If a dog's teeth break the skin, bacteria from its mouth can be introduced into the wound, potentially causing serious skin infections, abscesses, or even dangerous systemic conditions if the infection spreads.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A particularly deep bite, especially in a sensitive area like the hands or face, can damage underlying nerves. This may lead to numbness, tingling, or chronic pain, and if not addressed quickly, could result in a permanent loss of function in the affected body part.
Scarring & Disfigurement
A common result of a dog bite is scarring, which can be particularly noticeable on the face or hands. If the bite causes major tissue damage, reconstructive surgery might be needed to improve the victim's appearance and address the disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
Bites from bigger dogs can exert enough force to crush tissue and break bones, resulting in fractures or damage to joints. These severe injuries typically involve major swelling and bruising and may require treatments like surgery, casts, or a long road of physical therapy to fully recover.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional scars from a dog attack can be just as severe as the physical ones, often leading to long-term issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, a persistent fear of dogs, or general anxiety. For children, in particular, these traumatic events can be deeply unsettling, sometimes necessitating therapy to help restore their sense of security and emotional balance.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in San Bernardino
While every dog and situation is different, most dog bites in San Bernardino can be traced back to a few major causes:
Lack of Proper Training
When a dog hasn't received adequate training or socialization, it can become overwhelmed in unfamiliar circumstances, often leading to a bite driven by anxiety or uncertainty.
Fear or Startling
A dog that is unexpectedly startled by a sudden movement or sound may react defensively out of pure instinct.
Territorial Behavior
A dog's instinct is often to guard its territory, which can include the house, the yard, or even its human family. If an unfamiliar person gets too close, this protective instinct can kick in, sometimes resulting in a bite.
Rough Play
Intense, rough play can cross a dog's boundaries, leading it to lash out defensively when it feels overwhelmed or unsafe.
Protective Instincts
A dog may instinctively guard things it considers valuable, from its food bowl to a family member. Attempting to take these things away can be perceived as a threat, causing the dog to bite.
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?
If you're in San Bernardino, you won't have to worry about upfront costs for our personal injury legal services. We handle cases on a contingency fee, which means we don't get paid unless you do—through a successful settlement or court award.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear thanks to a “strict liability” rule. This means a dog's owner is held responsible for any injuries their dog causes, even if the dog has never shown aggression before or the owner wasn't being careless. You generally don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you just need to show that the bite happened and that it resulted in an injury.
There are a couple of exceptions, though. If the person who was bitten was trespassing on private property or was provoking the animal, the owner's liability might be lessened or even dismissed entirely. These specific circumstances are important, and the same rules apply throughout the state, including right here in San Bernardino.
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 incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, as established by Civil Code § 335.1. It is crucial to act within this timeframe. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely reject your case, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent.
There is a key exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock does not begin to run until their 18th birthday, providing them with 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, the insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. After they receive all the necessary proof and documentation from you, they have another 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is accepted, the insurer is required to issue payment within 30 days of that approval. In total, the entire settlement process, from your initial notice to receiving payment, should be completed within 85 days according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In San Bernardino, you can file a claim even if the dog was leashed or had a clean history. California law holds the owner responsible as long as you were bitten in a place you were legally allowed to be.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, we start by listening to your story to understand the incident's impact on your life in San Bernardino. We will help assess your injuries and can connect you with medical specialists to ensure you receive the proper care for your recovery.
Your job is to focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities. Our team will fight to secure the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and the entire recovery process.
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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