Every year, thousands of people are bitten by dogs in America. In most cases, the person bitten by the dog has the legal right to recover damages from the owner of the animal or any other responsible party. The first step is to seek medical care. Animal bites, if left untreated at least, can cause serious health repercussion, including injuries and even death. After the medical examination and treatment, you should seek the services of a lawyer with experience in animal bite cases.
Why Hire a Lawyer
Every Atlantic County Dog Bite lawyer will likely stress the fact that in some areas less than one percent of the dog bite victims get compensated. The number of people bitten by dogs every year is in the millions, but only a few thousand are compensated. Despite there being comprehensive home insurance coverage, many dog bites are not reported or are simply not compensated. The chances of success with an attorney are higher.
Another interesting statistic is that insurance adjusters offer between 10 and 20 percent more to the victims than they normally would if the victim has an attorney. Many lawyers work on a contingency basis. This is where the lawyer does not ask the client to pay anything, only getting paid if they recover some money for the victim. The financial incentive here for the lawyer is very high.
Getting a lawyer does not necessarily mean the case has to go to court. A majority of bodily harm cases are often decided outside the courtroom. The best attorneys know how to present their cases well to the insurance companies such that the claim can be resolved without going to court.
The Law
Different locations have different laws with regards to liability for animal attacks. The first question often asked is who the owner of the animal is. Depending on the state, there might be strict liability, where the owner is held directly responsible, regardless of how much effort they put into protecting others from attacks. Under such laws, they are held responsible even if they had no reason to suspect their animal was dangerous.
The law office of David J Cowhey is dedicated to handling every type of personal injury case you might have, and successfully. Call (609) 513-0627 or visit our website today for more information.
