Riverside Dog Bite Attorneys

Those who suffer dog bites often find themselves permanently physically scarred and mentally traumatized. For some, these bites occur after tormenting a dog and agitating them—and in these cases, the bite should not come as a surprise. But for those who are bitten out of nowhere or without warning, a bite can cause a permanent fear of dogs.

Dog bite law varies from state to state, and it’s important to know what your rights and obligations are when it comes to being around animals. If you experienced a dog bite in California, then let’s talk about your injuries, the available compensation and next steps.

Knez Law Group, LLP is located at 3890 Tenth St Riverside, CA 92501 and is located near Market St & Tenth St just a half mile away from the Mission Inn (open in Google Maps). We’ve been serving Southern California for over 30 years and can help you pursue the maximum available compensation for your dog bite claim. Call us now at 951-742-7681 to schedule a FREE consultation with an attorney or submit a contact form an will contact you right away.

California Dog Bite Laws

One of the first questions to come up after a dog bite refers to how the state approaches dog bite cases. Many people have heard about the “one bite” rule, interpreting it to mean that every dog gets one bite free before owners are held liable for the injuries they cause. While California was once a one-bite state, that is no longer the case.

California is a strict liability state. This means that dog owners (or the party responsible for a dog at the time of a bite) are liable for the harm caused by their dog, regardless of whether or not they knew the dog to be dangerous. In one-bite states, owners are held liable once they know that a dog has the capacity to be dangerous, which generally happens after one bite. In California, even if a dog has never shown an ounce of aggression in the past, the owner is liable for that bite. This applies if the dog is on private property or in public.

When Owners Aren’t Responsible for Dog Bites

There are exceptions to this law. If the victim was at least partially responsible for their injuries or they were trespassing on the owner’s property, the dog owner may not have full liability. For example, someone who is intentionally aggravating a dog or trying to provoke them may not be able to recover compensation.

Additionally, there are situations where the owner may not be liable. If the dog was in the care of a boarding facility, dog walker, or other caretaker at the time of the bite, the caregiver may be liable. However, under California law, strict liability may not apply if someone other than the owner is caring for the dog at the time of a bite.

Property Owners May Also be Responsible for Dog Bites

Other than the dog owner, a property owner may also be liable under theories of premise liability and negligence. (link to new page on premise liability and negligence) Premises liability and negligence causes of action are based upon the general principle that everyone is responsible for an injury to another caused by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his of her property. A property owner, such as a landlord, does not owe a duty to protect a third party from his or her tenant’s dog unless the landlord has actual knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, and the ability to control or prevent the harm.

Seeking Medical Care After a Dog Bite

It is crucial to seek medical care immediately after a dog bite. We recommend this for any personal injury claim, but it is particularly important when you’ve been bitten by a dog. Everyone’s heard the myth that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than humans—that simply isn’t true. A dog’s saliva has bacteria the human body does not, and it doesn’t take much for a dog bite to become infected and cause serious illness. Additionally, you may need to undergo medical testing to rule out other medical issues.

Make sure to keep copies of every medical report and medical bill you receive. They are crucial pieces of evidence for your dog bite claim.

Important Evidence

Evidence is the foundation of any personal injury claim, and gathering every piece of evidence possible can help you fight for full and fair compensation. In addition to your medical bills, evidence that may help your claim includes:

• Dog-bite Incident Report from local agency such as Animal Control/Care Services.
• Photos of the bite
• A photo of the dog and the location where the bite happened
• Eyewitness statements about how the bite happened and how you were interacting with the dog prior to the bite
• Evidence of other times the dog has bitten someone
• Statements from others in the community who know the dog’s aggressive nature
• Communication with the owner

It’s important to work with a dog bite attorney as quickly as possible after a dog bite so you don’t miss out on important evidence that could strengthen your claim.

How Knez Law Group, LLP Can Advocate for You

If a dog bite has left you with physical and mental trauma, you could be entitled to compensation. Proving liability can be an uphill battle, particularly if you have an uncooperative dog owner who is unwilling to provide the information you need to keep yourself safe.

That’s why you should work with the team of sought-after California dog bite attorneys at Knez Law Group, LLP. Our extensive knowledge of and experience with personal injury law gives us everything we need to tackle your dog bite claim. While you focus on recovering, let our team of dog bite lawyers advocate for you and demand fair compensation.

Reach Out Today and Start Your Claim

Take the first step in your Riverside dog bite claim now by contacting Knez Law Group, LLP. Just give us a call at 951-742-7681 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation.