Police officers or deputies may investigate the accident and the dog owner if a dog is still on the loose or a serious injury is involved. Animal Control would also respond and cite the dog owner for any laws broken. The dog could be quarantined in some cases.
In most instances, the dog owner is held responsible for a bite. Victims could file a claim to get money to pay for an ambulance response and any further medical expenses. Victims could expect help in replacing the income they lose while down with an injury. They should get assistance with getting over the physical pain and emotional distress left from a frightening attack.
The Timeline of a Dog Bite Case in California
California law and local ordinances combine to help protect dog bite victims and prevent others from becoming victims. Investigating officers would look into the dog owner’s and the dog’s backgrounds and prepare an accident report. The victim and the victim’s attorney would need to gather evidence to prepare a report and potentially a personal injury case.
This is a general timeline for what happens after a California dog bite incident:
Immediately After a Dog Bite:
- A call to 911 would be made. Animal Control would be dispatched. If the dog remained a threat and/or the injuries were serious, the local police or Sheriff’s Department might also be sent out. An ambulance crew would respond if anyone was injured.
- Police, deputies, and Animal Control officers would work to secure the dog. Officers would likely try to locate an owner if the owner isn’t present. Officers would usually try to obtain information from the owner about insurance coverage. Other info would include contact information and any past history of the dog in question.
- Investigators would probably get a statement from the victim. Be ready to reveal anything you can remember about what happened.
- The dog owner may be cited for violating leash laws, restraint laws, dangerous dog requirements, and other ordinances.
- The dog may be quarantined. The exact protocol is often decided by local city and county laws. It would be observed for dangerous behavior, and its history would be examined. Ultimately, a dog with multiple attack incidents could be removed from the home. In extreme cases, the dog may be ordered to be euthanized. You can find out more about a dog’s fate after a dog bite on our informational page.
Afterward and Filing a Dog Bite Claim:
- Evidence gathering should start soon after a bite. A victim may need to track down the dog owner after an accident. The victim should obtain the dog owner’s contact and insurance information if an officer doesn’t provide it. Victims can help their cases by taking photos of the scene, the dog, and the dog owner. Photos should show any visible injuries and damage to clothing. If the victim hires a California Dog Bite Lawyer, the legal representative would handle the rest of the investigation.
- Filing a claim. Victims or their lawyers would file a claim backed with evidence. The claim should include a full list of every physical, emotional, and financial hardship the victim has faced. The homeowners or renters’ insurance provider for the dog owner could reject the claim or make an offer of support to the victim.
- Settlement offers. Insurers would usually make a settlement offer. This offer must be examined to see if it covers all of the victim’s needs now and with injury complications in the future. If it doesn’t, a skilled attorney can help the victim reject the claim and demand more.
- A potential lawsuit. If an insurance company refuses to accept full blame for a bite. A lawyer would also have prepared for a lawsuit in advance. The lawyer would take the dog owner and the insurer to court to get what was right for the victim. Victims don’t usually have to resort to taking an insurance company to court. Most dog bite cases are resolved in a settlement because insurers want to avoid the costs and embarrassment of a trial.
Dog Bite cases can be complex, and more than one party may need to be targeted in an injury claim or lawsuit. A Maison Law attorney can often help victims secure much more than they could by taking on a homeowners insurance company themselves.
Contact a California Dog Bite Attorney Today
We offer a free and confidential case review to all dog bite and dog attack victims. If your injuries are serious, please contact us today to schedule an appointment. It’s a no-risk way to determine what your case is worth and how to hold a dog owner fully liable. A California dog bite lawyer is a critical protection when insurance companies try to blame you for what happened or attempt to devalue an injury.
And if you do need Maison Law’s help to secure more in support, remember that you don’t need to worry about having the money to hire a lawyer. We don’t get paid unless we win your dog bite case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurer must provide.
