Maison Law represents dog bite victims across Fresno and the surrounding area. One of the most unique, yet damaging types of accidents we see involves a dog bite that happens during a run. While it can be challenging, our experienced dog bite lawyers can explain your options and what the path forward looks like for you. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Just because a dog bite is a unique situation doesn’t mean you don’t have legal options. However, whether or not you need to explore these options depends on your circumstances. If the incident or your injuries are minor, you probably don’t need to work with our team.
However, in the event that the dog bite is more traumatic and you have more serious injuries, working with our lawyers can really benefit you. Here’s how we will approach your case:
- Explaining your options – We’ll assess your case for free and explain the legal steps, especially regarding dog bite claims.
- Investigating the incident – If you have a valid claim, we’ll investigate thoroughly to determine who’s at fault. In dog bite claims, this is usually the owner, but could involve others as well.
- Gathering evidence – We’ll help collect crucial evidence like medical records and photos to strengthen your case.
- Making things easier – We’ll handle the legal process so you can focus on recovery, knowing your case is in good hands.
- Personalized attention – Each case is unique, so we’ll tailor our approach to meet your specific needs and provide dedicated support throughout.
Even though it’s not exactly like a typical dog bite situation, you still have legal rights when you’re bitten by a dog while out for a run. At the same time, because it’s a somewhat unique situation, reacting properly is crucial to your claim.
How Should You Respond to These Incidents?
Any dog bite is going to carry its fair share of injuries and other damage. Hopefully, your incident won’t be severe in terms of complications, but unfortunately, any dog bite has the potential for this to happen. Worse yet, when you’re running, injuries tend to be worse because of knock downs by the dog. Regardless, responding effectively is important to your potential claim. So, here’s what you need to do:
- Move away from the dog to safety. Stay calm and check how serious the bite is. If it’s not too bad, you can deal with it yourself.
- Try to remember details about the dog and its owner. This could help later if you need to report it. Also, remember where you were.
- Wash the bite with soap and water right away. Put on some antiseptic and cover it with a clean bandage. Keep it clean.
- Go see a doctor even if the bite seems minor. They can check for infections and give you any shots you might need.
- Tell local authorities and animal control about the bite. They can stop it happening again. Don’t forget to let animal control know.
- Take pictures of the bite, the dog, and where it happened. These can help if you need to take legal action. Make sure you take good notes.
As you might expect, many of these steps aren’t that much different from a normal dog bite incident. With that said, your health and safety always need to be your first priority. After that, do everything you can to find the owner of the dog. This information is vital to how the law works in California–and your potential options.
Liability and Dog Bites in Fresno
While a dog bite incident during a run may not be the most common of circumstances, the law looks at it the same way as any other dog bite. Unlike other injury claims where negligence is pivotal, dog bite liability operates differently. In California, liability squarely rests on:
- The dog’s owner, who holds “strict liability” for any resulting damages.
This means that the dog’s owner is going to be primarily responsible for covering your injuries and other losses from the incident. However, being out on a run could mean that other parties could share some liability:
- The city or state government
- Property owners or landlords
Injuries
Not surprisingly, the potential injuries from these incidents are focused more on the lower body. At the same time, it’s not that different from other bites. So, if this happens to you, you can expect to have to deal with the following:
- Puncture wounds, especially to your feet, ankles, and legs.
- Nerve damage
- Muscle tears
- Cuts and bruises
- Head injuries from being knocked down or falling
- Infections
Obviously, these injuries will vary from bite to bite. What’s important is to protect your health, then start thinking about your legal options.
Legal Options For Runners After a Dog Bite
Being a runner doesn’t change your legal options after a dog bite. Dog bite victims have the same legal avenues to pursue an injury claim.
Also, due to strict liability laws, the responsibility for damages incurred from a dog bite rests with the dog owner or their insurance provider. So, your options are either to:
- File an insurance claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit
While you have these options, both are designed to let you make a claim for certain damages, like your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Navigating the claims process in Fresno can be complex, even in cases where liability is clear-cut. Dealing with insurance companies can be particularly challenging. Our seasoned team of Fresno dog bite lawyers understands the challenges associated with these cases, and can make sure you have a strong claim.
Free Consultations For Fresno Dog Bite Victims
If a dog has bitten you, it can be really confusing and stressful, especially if it happens suddenly while you’re out for a run in Fresno. In these situations, having experienced dog bite lawyers on your side is vital for getting better both physically and financially. Our team of experienced Fresno dog bite lawyers at Maison Law will be there to guide you through the claims process and make sure you have what you need to recover. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
