At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto, we represent the victims of dog bites, and that can include bicyclists chased down and attacked. After a serious bite incident, riders can demand injury support from dog owners and get help with medical bills and other hardships. Contact a skilled personal injury lawyer and schedule a free consultation. It’s a no-risk way to determine what your injury is worth and how to hold an at-fault dog owner responsible.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Suffering a Dog Bite While On a Bike Ride?
If a dog’s teeth cause only very minor bruising or scratches, you probably won’t need a lawyer for your case. But if your injury involves something more serious, like broken ankle bones or a deep puncture wound, it’s a good idea to have the protection of a skilled Modesto dog bite lawyer for your case.
Victims find out that when medical bills run higher, it’s a signal to the insurance companies for dog owners to do everything possible to avoid accepting financial responsibility. They’ll explore ways to blame you for what happened. They’ll also try to downplay your injury so they can use it as an excuse to offer you far less support than you need to rebuild your life.
Your lawyer collects evidence to back your case and then makes sure insurance companies can use excuses to avoid helping you. Your attorney then demands the maximum compensation available for your recovery.
Dog Bite Dangers for Bicyclists in Modesto
Riders on Modesto trails, along bike lanes, and in their own neighborhoods must constantly look out for obstacles and even reckless drivers. They also have to be concerned with any dog that’s been careless left free to roam or given too much leash.
Dogs like to chase things and can get excited and run down a cyclist. They might also be startled or frightened by a bicyclist and in their confusion lash out for the lower parts of a cyclist’s body. A deep dog bite wound can fracture bones, cause nerve damage, and tear muscles. These results can keep a rider off a bike for months or even forever if a permanent disability is suffered.
Children on bikes are even easier targets for dogs roaming free. Pets can reach the vital parts of a young victim to do even more harm. Children will need compensation for immediate care and they also need support for the coming years if a dog bite injury flares up and affects their growth and development.
Devastating bites can occur and leave victims young and old with painful wounds that might need more treatment than a single visit to the emergency room. The costs for care can extend into months or years, especially for child dog bite victims. A Modesto Dog Bite Lawyer handles the frustrating claims process so victims can focus on healing physically and mentally.
Are Dog Owners Responsible for Dog Bites in California?
Yes. California holds dog owners fully liable for dog bites under most circumstances. The state uses the legal concept of “strict liability,” meaning that dog owners are responsible for the harm their dogs cause, even if it’s the first time the dogs have shown aggression.
Dog owners can sometimes avoid responsibility if…
- The cyclist was trespassing on private property at the time of the attack
- The cyclist provoked the dog
After a bite, a skilled Modesto bike accident attorney would file a claim for damages with the dog owner’s homeowners insurance or renter’s insurance. Support would be sought for the victim’s medical bills and for many more hardships experienced by the victim.
What If a Dog Knocks Me Down While Riding in Modesto?
Strict liability laws can only help in cases that involve an actual dog bite. But for victims hurt by a dog’s actions in other ways, there are different personal injury laws that apply.
Dogs may chase a panicked rider into traffic or force them to run into obstacles and fly off a bicycle. Victims can easily suffer devastating wounds, all because a dog owner didn’t restrain or shelter a pet properly.
Your lawyer would be tasked with gathering evidence to show the dog and the dog’s owner were responsible for a knockdown or chase injury. Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto can collect the proof necessary to make sure victims are taken care of. The dog owner would be held fully responsible for medical bills and other hardships the victim suffered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to file a Modesto dog bite accident claim?
Victims have up to two years to file an injury claim with an insurance company. But waiting months or years can hurt your case. Give your attorney an opportunity to start on your case as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear, documents lost, and witnesses can become hard to locate.
What if I can’t afford to hire a Modesto dog bite lawyer?
Anyone can afford strong legal representation from Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Modesto. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee is paid out of the award an insurance company must send you.
What kind of compensation can I expect from an insurance company after a dog bite bicycle accident?
Your lawyer demands full support so you can pay current medical bills and those expected in the future. You must also factor in the time you’ve had to miss at your job and the paychecks you’ll need reimbursement for. The physical pain and emotional trauma a dog bite can cause must also earn support. Money to repair or replace a bike should also be provided.
Contact a Modesto Dog Bite Lawyer
If you have suffered a serious injury from a dog bite while riding a bike, speak with a Modesto dog bite lawyer to ensure your rights as a victim are protected. It’s critical that you get the support needed to fully heal and get back to your bike rides.
We are here to provide you with the resources you need to hold an insurance provider responsible. Please contact our dog bite accident lawyers serving victims of Stanislaus County for a free case consultation. Your case review is completely confidential and provides an easy way for you to consider how to earn help in paying hospital bills.