Cyclists already face plenty of hazards on their rides through Los Angeles. They must keep one eye on the road and one eye on distracted drivers. They must also dodge trucks parked on bike lanes and navigate boulevards with no bike lanes at all.
On top of these daily hazards, riders are increasingly having to monitor yards and sidewalks for dogs who may present a bite threat. Bicyclists often wear very thin cycling shorts, maintain bare arms and legs, and perhaps wear a helmet. These items provide zero protection from the bite force of a loose dog.
Los Angeles bicyclists who suffer bite wounds must take important steps to ensure that dog owners are held fully accountable for a potentially devastating injury.
Contact a Los Angeles Cycling Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After suffering a dog bite on a bicycle ride, you may be suffering from serious wounds. The consequences may last far beyond your trip to the emergency room. Your injury could keep you out of work for weeks and even away from your bike.
Contact a Los Angeles 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.
Maison Law is a strong advocate for ride safety for all cyclists. We are also proud sponsors of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. We strive to see injured cyclists get the support they need to recover from dog bites and return to the rides they love.
Dog Bite Laws Protecting Los Angeles Cyclists
California is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog bites. That means, in most cases, cyclists bitten by a dog can file injury claims and recover support from the dog’s owner. Some states won’t let cyclists and other dog bite victims sue a dog owner if the dog has never attacked anyone before. Los Angeles dog bite victims can file injury claims against a dog owner no matter the dog’s history.
A dog bite could occur when a loose animal chases down a rider. A loose dog could easily bite a child who will be lower to the ground while on a bicycle. Someone walking a dog on a leash could leave too much slack that allows a dog to reach a rider passing by.
As long as cyclists aren’t on private property with no permission to be there when they were bitten, they are empowered to file a claim. If cyclists provoke a dog before a bite they may not be able to file a claim against a dog’s owner. A claim would usually be filed against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or rental insurance. If the dog owner didn’t have insurance, a lawsuit could also secure compensation from the dog owner.
This support isn’t automatic, it’s often up to the victim to prove that a dog owner’s carelessness brought about the situation that led to a cyclist getting bit. Riders would have to document every cost they incur while getting treatment for a bite wound. Insurance companies will try to downplay the hardships victims endure and offer them as little help as possible. A skilled Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer would bring strong evidence to the table to make sure victims receive settlement money to cover every cost.
Compensation Available to Los Angeles Cyclists After a Dog Bite
It’s critical that dog bite victims list every damage they’ve endured in recovery and turn over every medical bill. Anything not included in an insurance claim won’t factor into how much in dog bite insurance settlement money the victim receives. This can leave thousands of dollars of additional expenses for the victim to cover and that’s not fair.
Through a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer’s skilled negotiation, these and other factors can earn substantial compensation for a dog bite victim:
- All medical bills and those expected in the months to come.
- Compensation for permanent disfigurement or disability caused by a dog bite wound.
- Compensation for physical pain. The pain of a bite, a crash, and a challenging recovery in physical therapy. Chronic pain and arthritis are also a possibility that should earn support.
- Compensation for emotional pain. This includes anxiety and depression due to a loss of enjoyment of life. This is common for riders who suddenly can’t get back on their bikes or participate in family activities. Victims may also need help getting over the trauma of a dog attack.
- Compensation for lost earnings while the cyclist is unable to return to work.
- Compensation for property damage. Money for a new bike and other personal property.
- Additional support for a child on a bicycle who becomes a dog bite victim. A bite injury to children can affect their development as they grow. Medical experts will need to determine the amount of support they’ll need to cover any complications their injuries could cause in the future.
- Wrongful Death Benefits. Families who have lost a loved one to a dog attack can ask for financial support from a dog owner. This civil claim would seek money to pay for a funeral and any leftover medical bills. The income the deceased can no longer provide a spouse or children in the future should earn additional settlement funds.
What If a Dog Caused Me to Fall from My Bike and Get Injured?
In California, strict liability in dog bite cases only applies to incidents that involve a real bite. An actual dog bite can include incidents that don’t break the skin, but if the injury didn’t involve a bite, a different set of personal injury laws will apply.
Of course, dog attacks can cause many different types of injuries. A dog chasing a cyclist can easily cause a victim to crash. Riders may also be injured when swerving into traffic to escape a loose dog. They could be struck by a car or hit a lamp post or street sign. The injuries could end up being much worse than many bite wounds.
Victims in these cases can still sue a dog owner and seek compensation. However, the burden of proof will be higher. A victim would have to clearly demonstrate that the dog’s actions and the dog owner’s negligence caused the rider to fall. A motorist who had time and room to avoid a bicyclist on the run from a dog might also share some blame for an injury.
Contact a Los Angeles Cycling Dog Bite Lawyer
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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 getting back on your bike.
If you determine we can help you earn more in your injury claim, you won’t need any money upfront. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless we win your dog bite case for you.
