If a dog chases you down and injures you while you are on a motorcycle, an insurance claim can be filed against the dog’s owner. The insurer could be held liable for all medical bills, motorcycle repair costs, and the income you lose while unable to work.
Dog owners are held responsible in most cases, but insurance companies often work to limit the support you receive. Injured riders often need a lawyer’s help to secure support for 100% of their medical bills and for the care they may need in the future. You can speak to a skilled Chico 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.
Who Is Responsible If I’m Bitten by a Dog While Riding My Motorcycle?
In California, dog owners are held to a stricter standard than in many states. The dog owner is generally responsible for all bite incidents and must help victims recover.
Dogs naturally want to chase anything that passes their line of sight. They may also be overly protective and want to protect their home or their owner. Dogs can run down a motorcyclist and bite at the vulnerable legs and ankles of a rider. An attack can cause deep puncture wounds and even broken bones.
It’s why dogs must be on leashes or safely confined to their homes or yards. When dog owners allow dogs to roam free or give them enough leash to reach a rider, they are responsible for what happens.
In a case involving a bite, a legal concept called “strict liability” is followed. In California, the dog owner is liable for the consequences. This is true even if the dog has never shown aggression or bitten someone before.
The dog owner is responsible in all but a few circumstances:
- The dog owner may 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
Insurance companies like the dog owner’s homeowners insurance provider or renter’s insurance may cover the recovery costs. However, they can also try to prove the motorcyclist provoked the attack. Insurers can also downplay the damage a dog bite did, simply to get away with providing less in support.
A lawyer safeguards a rider’s claim and makes sure the facts don’t get changed by a shady insurance adjuster. A skilled Chico Motorcycle Accident Lawyer is also often able to secure much more in compensation for the injured rider than victims could usually win for themselves.
What If a Dog Causes a Crash While I’m Riding in Butte County?
Unfortunately, a painful bite isn’t the only risk for motorcyclists traveling along Chico neighborhoods. Dogs might also chase down motorcycles, causing riders to crash or collide with vehicles while avoiding an angry pet. A pursuing dog might also cause a rider to panic and strike a roadside object like a tree or a guardrail.
Dog owners must also be held liable for any chase-down accidents caused by a dog. Strict liability makes it easier for motorcyclists to hold dog owners accountable for accidents, but it only applies if a bite is involved.
Motorcyclists can also hold dog owners liable for a crash and resulting injuries caused by a dog. The case would involve different personal injury laws.
The main difference is that more evidence would be needed to prove a dog’s actions caused a victim to fall from a bike or collide with another vehicle. A skilled Maison Law legal representative would fully investigate the accident and document the evidence needed to hold a dog owner’s insurer fully responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my Motorcycle Dog Bite accident worth?
It’s impossible to give you an accurate estimate on what you may earn in an injury claim until we’ve heard about what happened to you and have been able to investigate. Every accident is different. Every injury is different. Every victim heals at a different pace. There are some factors that will play a big part in how much you’ll receive in a settlement check. The totals on your medical bills. The totals on the income you lose while being out of work. You’ll also have to consider the physical pain you’ve endured and the emotional trauma you’ve been put through. Your attorney will help you put a value on these hardships and then demand support for every damage you experience.
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 Chico dog bite accident lawyer?
If you 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 provides.
Contact a Lawyer Serving Butte County 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 Chico Motorcycle 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.
