If you are chased or attacked by a dog while riding a bicycle in Ceres, it’s critical to seek help with your medical bills. In California, dog owners are generally always responsible for the damage their pets do.
Homeowners insurance providers are often held liable, but insurers can also find ways to escape blame and leave victims with nothing. Sometimes, victims with serious injuries will need a lawyer to help hold those at fault responsible and to win enough in support to pay for the best medical care available.
You can speak to a skilled Ceres Dog Bite Lawyer in a free case consultation. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your injury should really be worth and how to hold an insurer fully liable.
Dog Attack Dangers for Cyclists in Stanislaus County
Plenty of local residents take their bikes to work or school. They may be out on the road to get in a long ride for some exercise. Riders will want to pay attention to the drivers around them. One driver staring at a cellphone can end a ride and put a bicyclist’s life at risk.
Unfortunately, there’s another threat to a ride that cyclists may never see. A dog on the loose could be in fast pursuit and lunge at a bare leg or ankle before the rider has even spotted it. Victims can come away with torn tissue or broken bones.
Even worse, riders may get anxious and suddenly topple over or run into a tree. They could also be chased into traffic, take a fall onto the road surface, and risk a life-threatening head injury.
The dogs responsible may have been able to reach a passing cyclist after being purposely allowed to go free by a careless owner. The pet may have escaped a backyard enclosure that wasn’t secure enough. Dogs can even lunge at riders while they are on a leash, but are allowed too much freedom.
Cyclists may need an emergency room visit, a long stay in the hospital, surgery, and plenty of physical therapy in the months to come. The cost for all of this care should always fall to the dog owner and the dog owner’s insurance provider. A skilled Ceres Bike Accident Lawyer makes sure a settlement check covers the victim for as long as necessary to restore their health and leave them able to return to a bike.
Is a Dog Owner Responsible for a Dog Bite on a Cyclist?
Yes. In most cases, the dog owner is financially responsible. A dog attack on a bicyclist that involves a bite falls under California’s “strict liability” dog bite law.
It’s a concept that makes it easier to assign blame in a dog bite incident. In most cases, the dog’s owner would be liable for any bite wounds the dog caused unless the victim was trespassing at the time or had provoked the animal.
The dog owner is held accountable, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
What If a Dog Caused My Bicycle Crash and I Was Injured?
Dogs can also cause havoc and harm for bicyclists, even if they don’t use their teeth. A dog racing towards a rider can cause panic and lead to a loss of control. A wreck may simply involve the victim going to the pavement.
But it could also lead the rider to try to escape by entering a lane or a road where motor vehicle traffic is present. This can lead to a devastating impact. Riders might also go off course and hit a building or a tree.
It would be easy to lay the legal responsibility on the dog owner using strict liability, but it would only apply if a dog bite were suffered.
The burden of proof is a bit higher when trying to show that a dog’s actions caused a crash, but a bicyclist should still expect help with recovery costs. The rider would have to prove that the actions of a dog owner contributed to the crash. A skilled Ceres dog bite lawyer would provide a major advantage in collecting the necessary evidence to hold an insurance company liable.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident Involving a Dog
If you are hurt by a dog while biking, try to get to safety first. Once the scene is secure, you should gather a bit of evidence if possible. Make sure you are strong enough to stand and move about safely. Stay put if not.
This will greatly help prove what happened and help you make your plea to an insurance company later.
Try to complete these steps if possible:
- Contact 911 immediately if the dog still presents a threat.
- Request an ambulance response and get checked out thoroughly by paramedics. Go to the emergency room if necessary.
- Take pictures. Get a picture of the dog if possible. Take pictures of your bite wound and show any damage to clothing. Take a picture of your helmet if you were wearing one.
- Try to locate the owner. That may mean going door to door near the accident scene. Police may also help you with this search.
- Exchange contact information with the dog owner.
- Get witness contact information.
- Schedule an appointment with your physician. The shock of a frightening attack sometimes masks the pain of a more serious injury. Have your doctor check out every pain that appears in the days that follow. Follow your doctor’s advice. Save your medical invoices.
- Keep all damaged and bloody bicycle clothing. Don’t throw away evidence.
Contact a Lawyer Serving Ceres Dog Bite Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury after a dog attack while riding a bike, discuss your options with a skilled Ceres Bike Accident Attorney as soon as possible. Dog bite victims should never be left to face the costs of recovery alone.
Reach out to Maison Law to make sure you are clear on the rights you have as a victim and the benefits that are available to you and your family.
There’s no obligation for this meeting. If you do feel we 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 must provide.
