Cyclists in Fresno often have to monitor the many careless moves that local drivers make. These reckless drivers often seem to come out of nowhere to put riders in danger. Unfortunately, dogs on the loose and on too long of a leash can also come out of nowhere to put a rider in serious jeopardy.
Dogs like to chase things and they can become protective when cyclists pass their yards. Dogs can’t always fight their aggressive instincts, and that’s why California holds dog owners accountable when their pets bite.
Cyclists who face multiple weeks off their bikes and the loss of paychecks at work over a serious dog bite wound must ensure that an at-fault pet owner is fully responsible for recovery costs.
Contact a Fresno Cycling Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After suffering a dog bite on a bicycle ride in Fresno, you may have serious wounds. The consequences may last far beyond your trip to the emergency room. Your bite injury could keep you out of work for weeks and even away from your bike.
Contact a Fresno Dog Bite Lawyer with experience in securing support for injured cyclists while they heal. We offer a free, no-obligation case consultation. It’s a no-risk way to determine what your accident is worth and the kind of support you should be asking for as you heal.
Maison Law is a strong advocate for ride safety for all cyclists. We strive to see injured cyclists get the support they need to recover from dog bites and return to the rides they love. If you require our help to get the most out of your dog bite injury claim, you won’t need any money now. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you.
Dog Bite Dangers for Fresno Cyclists
A dog can break free from an owner’s control and target the arm, thigh, calf, or ankle of a nearby bicyclist. In the case of a child on a bike, more vulnerable areas of the body might be at risk due to the child being closer to the ground. The head, neck, and eyes might suffer harm.
Dogs can race out of yards without proper fences. Dogs can use the slack in a long leash to reach a cyclist in a bike lane or on a bike trail. Of course, a dog can’t be held responsible for these actions. Even well-behaved dogs can sometimes feel confused, threatened, or have their instincts triggered and put someone in danger. Owners are responsible for these incidents when they don’t properly protect others from their pets.
It’ll be up to you and your Fresno Dog Bite Lawyer to prove that an owner was negligent in that “duty of care.” With a strong case presented by your attorney, a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance can be forced to provide fair support as you work through recovery.
California Dog Bite Liability Protecting Fresno Bicyclists
California enforces “strict liability” dog bite laws when it comes to dog bites on cyclists. This enables a rider to sue a dog owner for a bite wound, even if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone previously or been reported as aggressive. This is key for all dog bite victims in California because, in some states, a dog has to have a history of biting before a victim can file a claim against the dog owner.
Bicyclists who have been bitten by a dog can file an injury claim under strict liability laws and receive compensation as long as a few things are true:
- The victim must have been on public property or legally on private property. The cyclist must have been invited onto any private land where a dog bite occurs.
- The cyclist must not have been attacking the dog’s owner at the time of the bite.
- The cyclist must not have provoked the dog.
- The victim must have been bitten. Even bites that don’t break the skin are legally recognized.
What If I Am Injured in a Fresno Dog Bite Bicycle Accident that Doesn’t Involve a Bite?
The guidelines above are for cyclists who get bitten by dogs. If a cyclist is knocked from a bike while being run down by a dog to get injured, with no bite involved, a different set of personal injury laws would apply. A rider may also be sent into traffic by the threat of a dog, to get hit by a car or to strike a light pole. In these cases, “strict liability” would not apply.
The dog owner could be held accountable, but more proof would be needed to show the pet owner and the dog caused the fall or collision.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive for a Dog Bite While on a Bike?
Cyclists who receive a dog bite injury will need to seek full support from an at-fault dog owner’s insurance for every medical bill received. When cyclists are kept off their bikes due to a dog bite injury, insurance companies must be held accountable.
Support could include money for weeks of physical therapy and long-term support in the case of a permanent dog bite wound disfigurement or physical disability. Your attorney would seek additional support for child victims because any injury now can affect their development as they grow.
A claim for damages would also seek support for the victim’s physical pain and emotional trauma experienced in recovery. The time a rider loses at work while unable to perform job duties should also be compensated.
Families may also file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who was tragically killed in a dog bite bicycle accident. Close relatives would ask for help with funeral costs and leftover medical bills. They could also receive support for the income the victim will no longer be able to provide the family.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury in Fresno
There is no set compensation amount for dog bite cases and each injury is different. Generally, the stronger evidence you have showing the dog owner’s negligence and the more care your injury requires, the more you can see in a dog bite settlement check.
In order to get the most out of your dog bite injury claim, you would need to help your Fresno dog bite attorney collect every shred of evidence available. Some of the best evidence will be found on the scene.
So, if you are able to move around after a bicycle crash or dog bite incident, try to gather these details:
- Make sure you are safe. If you are left on a roadway in the path of traffic, try to move. If a dog continues to be a threat, try to get to a safe location. If your injuries won’t allow you to move, wait for help.
- Dial 911. Let paramedics check every injury out. Have Fresno police respond to your injury. Make sure to give them a detailed report of what happened.
- Take photos. Once the scene is secure, start taking pictures of the scene, the dog, and the dog’s owner. Hopefully, you’ll be provided with the name and address of the dog owner, but this photo will be valuable if the dog owner tries to leave the scene. Take pictures of your bite wound and show any damage to clothing or your bike.
- Speak to witnesses and get their contact information.
- Scan the area for any surveillance cameras that may be nearby. Your Fresno dog bite injury lawyer would request this footage before it was erased.
- Schedule an appointment with your physician. Follow your doctor’s orders. Save your medical invoices.
- Keep all damaged clothing and don’t wash bloody garments. Hang on to your damaged bike. Don’t throw away evidence.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Fresno Dog Bite Victims
If you or a family member are bitten by a dog while on a bike, please discuss your options for injury support with a skilled Fresno Dog Bite Attorney. Insurance adjusters representing dog owners aren’t legally required to inform you of every benefit available to you and your family.
Contact Maison Law of Fresno for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your cycling dog bite injury is worth and what you should be holding an insurance company to. We are happy to help you decide on your best path to earning support as you work towards returning to your bike and your rides.
