Maison Law’s Turlock dog bite lawyers can help you or a loved one after being hurt in a dog bite incident. We represent those injured by a dog bite while on a bicycle and can guide you through the legal process. Understanding the legal process, though, can sometimes be difficult. To learn more about your options in this situation, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer in This Situation?
Both a bicycle accident and a dog bite carry huge risks of injury, but when you combine them, it’s almost inevitable. At the same time, whether or not you need a lawyer is going to depend on your particular situation. There’s a slight chance that your injuries in a dog bite bicycle accident will be minor, in which case you probably don’t need to worry about legal action.
However, in the event that your injuries are more serious, which is very common in these types of accidents, you should consider working with our team. In our free initial consultation with you, we’ll explain your options and rights. Then, if you decide to move forward, we’ll investigate the accident, help you gather crucial evidence, then guide you through the claims process.
Liability in a Dog Bite Bicycle Accident
Obviously, a bicycle accident and a dog bite are usually two separate incidents. That said, when there’s a dog bite that causes a bicycle accident, it’s important to understand which law takes precedent. In California, dog owners are “strictly liable” for any injuries and damage caused by their dog.
So, in a dog bite bicycle accident, it’s this law that takes precedence. This is important, because it means you don’t necessarily have to prove negligence to establish liability for your injuries. Instead, legal responsibility will fall on the owner of the dog.
However, because there’s also a bike accident involved, it could also include:
- Drivers
- Pedestrians
- Other bicyclists
- Car or bike manufacturers
- City government
Building your case
Still, it’s important to build a strong claim, regardless of liability. In order to do that, you’ll want to make sure to:
- Move to safety – Move to a safe area away from the dog to prevent further bites or injuries.
- Get medical care – Check yourself for any wounds or injuries caused by the dog bite. No matter how mild or severe the injuries are, get medical attention immediately.
- Identify the dog – Try to identify the dog and its owner if possible. This will be helpful for reporting the incident.
- Clean the wound – Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Also, use antiseptic and bandage to cover it.
- Report the accident – Contact local authorities and animal control to report the dog bite. They can investigate the situation and take necessary actions to prevent future incidents.
- Document what happened – Take photos of the bite wound and any other injuries, as well as the location where the incident happened. This documentation can be useful for your potential claim.
- Follow up – Follow any instructions given by healthcare professionals for wound care and follow-up appointments.
- Prevent future incidents – Take precautions when cycling near dogs by staying alert and avoiding aggressive or unrestrained animals.
Types of Injuries in These Accidents
Before you get to actually filing an injury claim, it’s important to look at the different types of injuries that result from these unfortunate accidents. As you might expect, it’s not just injuries from the dog bite that you’ll have to deal with, but the added impact of a bicycle accident. So, here’s what you could be dealing with:
- Knock-down injuries – When dogs chase down and bite you during a ride, it may result in puncture wounds, lacerations, and broken bones, head injuries, or dislocations from being knocked down. These injuries can range from minor to severe depending on the size and aggressiveness of the dog.
- Strains and sprains – Abrupt maneuvers to avoid a dog can strain muscles or cause ligament sprains, particularly in the arms, legs, or back.
- Road rash – When you fall off your bike, you may slide along the pavement, resulting in friction burns known as road rash. This can cause painful abrasions.
- Concussions – Head injuries can happen when you hit your head on the ground or other objects. Even with a helmet, the impact can still cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Emotional trauma – Being chased by a dog while cycling can be a frightening experience, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Infections – If bite wounds are not properly cleaned and treated, they can become infected, leading to complications such as cellulitis or abscess formation.
There’s a wide range of potential injuries in these types of accidents, but what’s important is that you get the right medical help and address these injuries. Then, you can begin the process of actually recovering damages.
Damages in a Claim
Just because you were on your bike at the time of a dog bite doesn’t change your status or legal options. In fact, filing an injury claim is going to be very important to your physical and emotional recovery, not to mention your finances. Under the law, you will file your injury claim against the people at-fault for the accident, either through:
- An insurance claim
- Personal injury lawsuit
Both options let you recover certain damages from your accident, like:
- Medical expenses – This includes paying for all your doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any other treatments you need because of the accident. It covers everything to make you feel better physically.
- Lost wages – If you can’t work because of the injuries from the accident, this covers the money you would have earned during that time. It helps make up for the income you missed out on.
- Property damage – This is for fixing or replacing any of your belongings that got damaged in the incident, like your bike, clothes, or any gear you were using at the time.
- Pain and suffering – These damages address the physical pain you’ve gone through because of the accident, as well as any mental anguish it caused you.
- Emotional distress – In addition to pain and suffering, emotional distress covers the psychological impact of the accident. This includes things like anxiety, fear, or even PTSD that you might suffer as a result of the incident.
- Reduced quality of life – This addresses any negative changes in your life or relationships because of the accident. It could include things like not being able to do activities you used to enjoy or strain on your relationships with family and friends due to your injuries.
Even though this is a somewhat unique situation, you still have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Missing this statute of limitations means missing out on these damages.
Dog Bite Bicycle Accident Victims Can Turn to Maison Law
Being injured in a dog bite bicycle accident in Turlock is certainly not what you sign up for when you go out for a ride. That said, these incidents carry significant challenges for you and your family. When this happens, you can turn to our team at Maison Law. Our Turlock dog bite lawyers will be there to make sure you have what you need to put together a strong case. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
