Of all the different types of bicycle accidents in Los Angeles, one of the most potentially serious ones involve a dog chasing you while you are on your bike. All dogs are attracted to movement, and a bicyclist speeding by offers a captivating opportunity to chase. But often, this results in the dog chasing you down and either pulling you off the moving bicycle with its bite or forcing you try to get away from the dog and into a collision.
In these unfortunate situations, it’s important to understand that you have legal rights. Not only do California’s bicycle accident laws apply, but so do its dog bite laws. These accidents can have huge ramifications for you, both physically and emotionally.
Free Consultations For Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accident Victims
As you try to recover your damages, you may need the assistance of our team of experienced and dedicated Los Angeles dog bite and bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law. When you’ve been injured, working with our team can help review the facts of your claim to determine what necessary courses of action to take in order to get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.
To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.
Which Law Applies In Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accidents?
The answer here depends on the circumstances. Under normal conditions, dog owners in California are strictly liable for any bite attacks that their dog inflicts on a person. This means that a dog’s owner is responsible for any injuries that occur from a dog bite, unless in cases where the person provoked the dog or was trespassing on the owner’s property.
In cases where you are riding by a dog on your bicycle and it begins chasing you, strict liability would not apply unless the dog actually bites you. But that doesn’t mean the dog’s owner isn’t liable if the dog chasing you caused an accident. In those instances, California’s negligence law would apply.
In order for a dog’s owner to be considered negligent, all four of these elements must be established:
- A legal duty owed to the injured person by the dog’s owner to not to cause an accident.
- Breach of that duty by the dog’s owner.
- You or someone else suffering an injury in a bicycle accident.
- Showing “proximate cause”, or a causal link between the dog’s owner that breached its duty and caused the injury.
In the above situation, where a dog chases you down and causes an accident, the owner of the dog would be liable for your damages because they owe a duty to you and the public to keep their dog either leashed or in a fenced enclosure so that they can’t cause harm to bicyclists.
Common Injuries In Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accidents
When you’re riding your bicycle, the potential for injury is ever present. But when you add the dangerous element of a dog chasing you, it makes an already dangerous situation that much worse. Unfortunately, these accidents can and often do have dual injuries from both a dog bite and bicycle accident. These injuries can be serious in their own right, but when you combine them together at once, they can become overwhelming. Some of the more common injuries that occur in these accidents include:
- Injuries to your leg, hand, or arm, including bites and scratches.
- Scrapes, nerve damage, and lacerations to the skin.
- Broken bones from falls, especially the hands and arms from putting hands out to protect yourself.
- Disfigurement injuries from falling or a dog bites
- Head injuries from being thrown from your bicycle.
- Infections from wounds.
- Loss of function of limbs from spinal injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions.
- Death, in extreme cases.
What to Do After a Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a dog chase bicycle accident, there are a few things you can do to make sure your claims remain viable. Insurance companies will look for any reason to devalue your claims, so being diligent about your actions is your best bet. This includes doing the following, to the extent you’re able: :
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Follow your doctor’s wound-cleaning orders
- Report the incident to your local animal control
- Don’t repair any damage to your bike or other equipment
- Identify and get contact information of any witnesses
- Identify the owner of the dog and get their insurance information
- Document the bite wound if there is one, as well as other details of the incident with photos and videos.
Also, making the city’s animal control authorities aware of the incident will lead to an investigation, as well as determining whether there have been other attacks by the dog.
Filing a Claim
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could have a dual claim to make for damages, one for a dog bite and another for the bicycle accident. Obviously, the nature of this type of claim is different from a normal dog bite or bicycle accident claim. However, in both cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s policy will be the primary coverage responsible for your damages.
Damages Available In a Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accident
Whether you decide to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, there are procedures in place that you’ll need to follow. As with any other lawsuit, there is a statute of limitations—or deadline—in which you can file a claim. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of your injury.
There is a wide range of damages available if you are successful in your dog chase bicycle accident claim:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
Generally speaking, the more extensive and permanent your injuries from the accident are, the more compensation you can potentially recover. Keep in mind that even if you have a pre-existing condition, if a dog bite or injury from the bicycle accident exacerbates that condition, then you could still recover damages.
Working For Los Angeles Dog Chase Bicycle Accident Victims
The emotional and physical pain caused by dog chase bicycle accident injuries can feel overwhelming and daunting. A dog chase bicycle accident presents unique challenges for you and your family, but your top priority should be to heal and to recover. Our team of experienced and dedicated Los Angeles dog chase bicycle accident lawyers are here to help you focus on your recovery.
If you have suffered an injury in a Los Angeles dog chase bicycle accident, contact us today for a free consultation. We’re ready to stand by your side and go to work for you.
