Dog bites can cause serious injuries and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States. Almost 13,000 need hospitalization for medical attention. San Diego County has a bad reputation for dog bite attacks on postal workers.

After a dog bite, you may need medical treatment, including therapy, prescription medications, or surgery. A San Diego dog bite attorney can help victims to navigate the medical and legal system.

Ideally, you can avoid needing these services or the help of a dog bite lawyer by reducing your risk of becoming a victim.

Your Guide to Preventing a Dog Bite From A San Diego Dog Bite Lawyer

Owners play a considerable role in attack prevention and need to follow California dog bite laws. Any dog can feel threatened and attacked, even your “family member.” All the training in the world can’t stop a dog’s instincts.

Prevention means educating yourself about the risks. The most responsible thing you can do is know the 4 W’s of dog bites. Learn the who, when, why and where canine-related injuries are likely to occur to prevent you or a loved one from becoming dog bite victims.

Who is Most Likely to Suffer a Dog Bite?

It might surprise you to know that most dog bite attacks that occur are from dogs that are familiar to us. Having a dog in the home increases your bite risk which goes up by 5% for each extra canine. 

Fatal dog attacks hit a record high number in 2021. Generally, dog attack fatalities tend to be very young children or elderly adults. The vast majority of victims are female, and most of the time, the dog is the family pet. Pitbulls and rottweilers are the usual breeds involved in serious bites.

Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys’s personal injury attorneys recommend children learn to interact with dogs or avoid them for safety.

How to behave with dogs:

• Don’t approach dogs from behind.
• Stay away from a dog’s food bowl.
• Don’t pull a dog by any body part.
• Don’t put your face by a dog’s mouth.
• Don’t approach or try to pet an unfamiliar dog.
• If a dog attacks, don’t panic; curl up and play dead.
• Give your pup plenty of one on one attention.
• Keep your pup away from crowds or unfamiliar visitors.
• Stay visible to your dog in unfamiliar settings to avoid surprises. 
• If you encounter an unexpected mean dog, stay calm, don’t yell, and attempt to stay still or back away slowly.

Animal experts warn that even our beloved dogs can sometimes be vicious and territorial. Sometimes, you or a friend or loved one may endure a dog bite despite taking precautions. If this occurs, you should call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible for legal advice.

When and Where a Dog Bites

If a dog bites you, seek medical help right away. If possible, exchange contact information with the dog’s owner. It would help to recall as many facts about the occurrence as possible, such as the dog’s breed and color. Contact San Diego Animal Services if you believe the dog threatens your neighborhood.

Who is at Fault for a Dog Bite?

If your dog causes an injury to another person, you could face serious legal consequences such as a fine or jail time. Your case could also go to civil court.

Under the “One Bite Rule,” dog owners are liable in San Diego when their dog bites someone on private property or in public. Unlike other personal injury cases, you don’t need to prove the defendant’s negligence to get compensated by their insurance company. However, this statute only applies when the victim was lawfully in the setting (no trespassing), as the defendant’s homeowners insurance covers the pet. You can only sue the dog owner, not a dog walker. This rule does not apply to police or military dogs. 

This strict liability premise makes your dog bite case easier than proving the owner knew they had a dangerous dog and didn’t exercise reasonable care to keep it away from others. Your Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys dog bite attorney can review your case with you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to get started on your personal injury claim.

Why Every Victim Needs a Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite attacks can result in serious injuries. Typical dog bite injuries include:

• Face, neck and head injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement.
• Nerve damage.
• Psychological trauma.
• Infection. 

Victims may need vaccinations, plastic surgery to hide their scars and therapy. To cover your losses from this tragic event, our team at the law offices of Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys recommends filing a dog bite case right away.

Under California law, you must file a dog bites injury claim within two years of the incident. An experienced dog bite lawyer from our law firm can connect you with resources and tell you the next steps to take during our initial free consultation.

We ensure you don’t get stuck paying medical bills or other expenses. Our lawyers will handle communications with the dog’s owner for your comfort. We will seek reassurance that the dog won’t hurt others in the future.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, don’t wait. Contact us today to get help from a Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys attorney with the needed experience!