Delivery drivers don’t just drive the entirety of Fresno every day. They also tread across sidewalks and up front steps dozens of times in a shift. This trip from the vehicle to a front door and back can be a bit more hazardous than you’d think. Especially when dog owners let their pets roam loose.
Drivers just trying to do their jobs for companies like Amazon and UPS can be in danger of receiving a nasty bite wound. California holds dog owners responsible for these attacks and allows delivery drivers to file claims against a homeowner’s insurance policy to get help in recovery.
Free Legal Consultation for Fresno Delivery Driver Dog Bite Victims
Delivery drivers work hard to make their deadlines and keep customers happy. A dog bite can bring a painful and even life-threatening end to their day.
California allows delivery workers to demand help from dog owners through their insurance policies. Unfortunately, when insurance companies are informed of a dog bite accident, they immediately go to work trying to blame the victim or downplay the injuries to save themselves money.
Before going through this frustrating process alone, talk over your case and your options with a real Fresno Lawyer serving Delivery Driver Dog Bite Victims. This free, informative conversation can greatly improve your chances of securing the support you need from a dog owner and in some cases, the company you work for. Contact Maison Law for a case consultation that comes at no obligation or charge to you.
Delivery Driver Dog Bite Dangers in Fresno
California is one of the worst states for dog attacks on delivery drivers. In fact, the USPS ranks our state as the most dangerous of all places for their mail carriers. California recorded 782 dog bite attacks on mail carriers in 2020. That’s up slightly from the 777 cases documented in 2019.
Dogs on the loose present a big threat to mail carriers, Amazon drivers, and employees for companies like FedEx and Grubhub. Surprisingly, even dogs inside a home are potential threats. People opening a door to accept a package can unintentionally allow a dog to burst through and snap at the delivery person.
The situation is especially dangerous when children accept deliveries from drivers. Dogs may misunderstand and think the child is in jeopardy and lash out.
California Dog Bite Liability in Delivery Driver Injury Cases
California remains a “strict liability” dog bite state. This law protects victims by allowing them to file a lawsuit even if the incident is the dog’s first aggressive behavior.
Some states follow a “one bite rule” which means a victim can’t sue over a dog bite unless the animal has bitten before. California’s Civil Code lays out a different set of rules. Dog owners can be held liable for their dog’s first bite incident and any following incidents.
In California, a bite incident must meet a few other legal standards.
- The injury must have been from a bite. Other injuries caused by dogs fall under different guidelines.
- The bite must have been on public property or the victim must have been lawfully on private property.
- The victim can’t have provoked the dog.
Delivery drivers are considered to be legal visitors to a home or apartment building and are legally allowed to enter a yard or front porch area.
What to Do After Suffering a Dog Bite as a Delivery Driver
Dog bite victims have the right to request financial support from a dog owner’s insurance company. Unfortunately, delivery drivers often have to go above and beyond in proving they weren’t responsible for what happened.
This is unfair, but insurance adjusters work for their insurance companies. They strive to blame victims for getting bit and try to downplay the injuries in order to save their companies money.
A Fresno Dog Bite Lawyer will be working for your benefit and collecting evidence to prove your case. However, a lawyer won’t be on the scene right after an accident occurs and won’t be able to grab valuable evidence in the moments that follow.
It may be up to the delivery driver to start building a case right after a bite if they are physically able. Here are a few details to collect on the scene to build a strong case:
- Call for 911 medical assistance, even for what appears to be minor wounds. Your injury could be more serious than you think. Even a small injury can get infected. Getting checked out by paramedics creates an official document about what happened. Go to the hospital if you need to. Call for the police if you feel the dog continues to present a threat.
- Take photos. Show the bite wound. Show a gate latch that was left open or show a front door if that’s where the dog came from. Pictures of the dog could show the pet was unleashed and perhaps without a collar. Anything that could show the dog owner was negligent.
- Talk to any witnesses. Get their contact information.
- Attempt to get the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance information. Get the dog owner’s name and note the address.
- Get checked out by your own physician. You may end up taking a series of rabies shots. Your doctor will report the bite to the Department Of Health.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items as evidence.
Contact a Dog Bite Accident Lawyer in Fresno
A skilled Fresno Dog Bite Accident Lawyer will work to help victims earn support from every party who may share liability for a dog bite. This will include the dog’s owner, but when you’re on the clock for an employer facing the dangers of delivery work each day, your company could also be held accountable for your injury.
This is often necessary when a dog owner has very basic insurance coverage that doesn’t provide enough to cover all of your damages. An employer like Amazon or Postmates could have to be called upon to make up the difference so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
Contact Maison Law for a free consultation and you’ll talk to a real attorney. We will help you decide your best options for receiving the support you and your family will require. As a respected Fresno personal injury law firm, we will only take on the case if we think it is in your best interest.
