Motorcycle accident victims must hold dog owners accountable after being chased, bitten, and injured. Riders can also seek compensation if a dog causes a crash. Unfortunately, insurance companies for at-fault dog owners will work hard to keep support from injured patients. A lawyer can be a necessary protection for victims.
You can speak to a skilled Bell Dog Bite Lawyer in a free case consultation to find out if you could do better with a lawyer’s help. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your injury should really be worth and how to hold an insurer fully liable.
Who Is Responsible If a Dog Injuries Me While I’m Riding a Motorcycle?
In California, a legal concept called “strict liability” governs who is liable for dog bites. It holds the dog owner financially responsible for dog bites and other injuries caused by a dog in most cases. This is true even if the dog has no history of aggression. The dog owner is responsible, even if it’s the first bite.
The dog owner is responsible in all but a few circumstances:
- The dog owner could escape blame if the motorcyclist was trespassing on private property at the time of the dog bite incident
- The dog owner may escape blame if the motorcyclist provoked the dog before the attack
Of course, motorcyclists can also be forced into accidents by dogs without any bite being involved. Dogs can chase down motorcyclists along neighborhood roads, like Gage Avenue, to cause crashes. They can run a motorcycle into another lane and into the path of a car. They could cause a panicked rider to topple over or run into a stationary obstacle.
In order to use “strict liability,” a case must involve a bite, but a collision caused by a dog could earn victims support under different personal injury laws. Without “strict liability” to make the assignment of fault easier, motorcyclists would need additional evidence to prove a dog caused an accident.
A skilled Bell Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can fully investigate an accident and secure the evidence needed to hold a dog owner fully accountable.
Filing a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident Involving a Dog
Dogs can be roaming around a neighborhood or park because a careless owner allowed them off a leash. Some dogs are free to give chase because they’ve escaped a backyard that isn’t secure enough. These and other negligent acts can leave a dog owner liable for any accidents.
Motorcyclists will have little defense against a fast-approaching dog. The dog may latch onto a leg to tear tissue. An ankle bone may be broken in a dog’s grip. The rider may fight off the dog with a hand, only to suffer fractured fingers or wrist bones.
To get help with the medical bills that follow and the lost income while they can’t work, riders may need to file an urgent insurance claim. This claim would usually be directed to the dog owner’s homeowners insurance or renters insurance provider.
The claims process in a bite claim includes the following:
- Filing a claim with the owner’s insurance– You’ll file a claim, and your lawyer will back it up with strong evidence of the dog owner’s liability. The claim also includes a list of every hardship the victim has endured physically, emotionally, and financially.
- Negotiating a settlement– The insurance company may offer you a settlement to resolve your claim. A Motorcycle Dog Bite Lawyer can help you evaluate the offer and negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all of your damages. If it isn’t enough, your lawyer helps you reject the offer and demand more.
- Filing a dog bite lawsuit– If you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company, you may need to file a lawsuit against the dog owner and insurer to recover available benefits. Maison Law will have already built a strong case to present to a judge and jury. Most motorcycle accident cases don’t go to trial. When a lawsuit is threatened, insurance companies work harder to make the victim happy with a fair settlement offer. Insurers want to avoid the cost and the bad publicity of having to go to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I get support for after getting bitten while on a motorcycle ride?
Injured motorcyclists should demand help with all medical bills. That includes the future costs of any surgeries and physical therapy expected to be needed. They should have all lost wages and benefits replaced. Their physical pain and emotional trauma must also factor into a settlement check. Families who lose a loved one to a tragic motorcycle accident can also file a wrongful death claim and seek support. They would seek help with funeral expenses and any remaining medical bills left behind. Close relatives must receive help in replacing the income that the victim may have provided to the family every month.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle dog bite injury claim?
Two years. You’ll have to file your injury claim before two years have passed since the accident date or risk having your case rejected. You should take action sooner rather than later, before important evidence disappears.
What if I can’t afford to pay a dog bite accident lawyer?
If you feel Maison Law can help you earn more for your injury, you won’t need any upfront money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company provides.
Contact a Lawyer Serving Bell Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury after a dog attack while riding a motorcycle, discuss your case with a skilled Bell Dog Bite Attorney as soon as possible. Dog bite victims should never be left to face the costs of recovery alone.
We help victims in Bell CA, and across Los Angeles County. Reach out to Maison Law to find out what your injury is really worth before an insurance company can convince you it’s worth nothing at all.
