What If You’re Bitten By a Dog at Sonic In California?

Going to a Sonic in California is usually a fun experience. The design concept for the fast-food chain is based on a 50’s style drive-in where you can drive up to a spot, order various menu items, and have them brought to you, all without leaving your car. Still, the store also offers indoor and outdoor seating areas to enjoy your meal. Because of its design, Sonic restaurants are widely known for being dog-friendly, even going so far as having food options for dogs on their menus.

What this means for you and your loved ones is that when you stop at a Sonic in California, you may encounter a dog that’s with its owner and loved ones, which can, unfortunately, lead to bite incidents.

Dedicated California Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help You

At Maison Law, our dedicated team of lawyers understands how difficult a dog bite can be, whether it happens at a Sonic or any other store. We’re committed to safeguarding your legal rights and helping you through the legal process.

With a proven history of successfully handling dog bite cases, we are fully equipped to stand by you and your loved ones. Contact us as soon as possible after you’ve been bitten to speak with our team during a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Do Dog Bites Happen at Sonic in California?

While Sonic differs slightly in its design from other fast-food places in California, it ultimately is the same as any other space in terms of the causes of dog bites. No matter how well-trained or behaved a dog is generally, whenever they’re in an environment like Sonic, it can lead to bite incidents. Typically, these happen for the following reasons:

• If customers bring their dogs to Sonic and fail to keep them leashed or under control, the dogs might approach other customers, leading to potential bites.
• Dogs may consider the Sonic premises as part of their territory and become protective or aggressive when they perceive unfamiliar people or other dogs nearby.
• The presence of food and treats at Sonic can attract dogs, potentially leading to conflicts over food and resulting in bites if dogs become agitated or competitive.
• Sudden movements, loud noises, or unfamiliar situations might startle a dog and cause them to react defensively, including biting.
• If dogs are left unattended by their owners or handlers, they could interact with other patrons or pedestrians in an unpredictable manner, increasing the risk of bites.
• Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized or have behavioral issues may respond negatively to interactions with strangers or other dogs, resulting in aggressive behavior and bites.
• A dog in pain due to an injury or health condition might react aggressively if someone unintentionally touches or aggravates their discomfort.
• People might misinterpret a dog’s body language or cues, inadvertently escalating a situation that could lead to a bite.

As with any situation involving a dog bite, the first thing you should do if you get bitten is to inform Sonic management so they can address the situation and keep the dog from biting others. From there, it’s important to get medical attention right away to curb any further injury or potential infection. This has the added benefit of creating a record of the incident and injury if you want to pursue your legal options later on.

Is Sonic Responsible For Dog Bites That Happen At Their Restaurants?

Like any other place of business in California, Sonic has a responsibility to keep its customers safe and its property free of potential hazards. While most dogs that are brought to Sonic are considered well-behaved, the reality is that any dog that’s in a situation where they respond by biting could be considered hazardous to others. As such, Sonic has to take steps to keep its customers safe from these situations. In order to do that, they usually have to:

• Put up clear signs that show whether dogs are allowed and any rules, like using a leash. This helps everyone understand what’s expected, including dog owners.
• Create a designated area where customers with dogs can sit. This area should be separate from where most people sit to avoid any issues between dogs and people who might not be comfortable with them.
• Teach the staff how to handle situations with dogs. They should know how to approach dogs, give advice to customers with dogs, and handle any problems that might come up.
• When you offer food for pets, make sure people know about it. Also, show customers with dogs where they can go to eat.
• Remind people to be responsible with their dogs. Tell them not to let their dogs be too aggressive or too excited.
• Check the designated area for dogs now and then. Just to make sure the dogs are on leashes and aren’t causing any problems.

It’s important to note that, under California law, Sonic isn’t primarily responsible for a dog bite that happens there. Rather, the owner of the dog is liable–known as “strict liability” in legal language–for any injuries or damages the dog causes.

Thus, when a dog bites you at a Sonic in California, the owner of the dog is primarily responsible for covering your injuries and damages, while the Sonic restaurant is secondarily liable.

What this means, at least in terms of your legal options, is that you can file a claim against both the owner and Sonic if there’s a dog bite incident.

Options After a Dog Bite at a California Sonic

While a dog bite incident at a Sonic in California is somewhat unique in terms of liability, it ultimately comes down to a personal injury claim. As such, the claims process mirrors any other injury claim, just with the added element of Sonic itself being partially liable.

When it comes to the actual process, your available courses of action hinge on the specifics of the incident. California law allows you to seek remedies and assistance from both the dog owner and the Sonic. Here’s a breakdown of the approach:

• Filing an insurance claim with the dog owner – Many homeowners’ insurance policies have coverage for dog bite incidents. You may have the opportunity to request specific benefits and support from the dog owner’s insurance provider to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and related costs.
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit – If the insurance coverage falls short or your claim is denied, you have the option to pursue legal action against the dog owner and Sonic. Through a lawsuit, you can seek financial support for injuries sustained, property damage, income loss, and emotional distress stemming from the dog bite.
• Filing an insurance claim against Sonic – In scenarios where the dog bite happened at a Sonic or on restaurant property due to some form of negligence, you can also file a claim with Sonic’s liability insurance coverage that will allow you to recover additional damages for your injuries.

It’s crucial to remember that dog bite cases, especially when they happen at a Sonic, can be complex. Therefore, seeking the help of our knowledgeable California dog bite lawyers is strongly recommended. We will not only explain your options to you but also offer direction on the best path to take, customized to your individual situation.

Effective Legal Support After a Dog Bite at a California Sonic

Getting the right legal help after a dog bite at Sonic in California is extremely important, even if it’s clear who’s responsible. Dealing with insurance companies is challenging in its own right, butut working with our skilled team of dog bite lawyers at Maison Law can make things much easier on you and your family.

We offer effective guidance and support during the legal process. If you’d like to learn more or get the process started, contact us today for a free consultation.