A dog bite can be a traumatic experience for anyone. Injuries caused by dog bites generally involve broken bones, nerve damage, blood loss, or worse. Statistics state that family dogs inflicted about 45 percent of all fatalities in 2016 — most of which occurred in California.
If you or your loved one has been bitten by a dog in California, you should note that the 'strict liability' rules apply in the state. This means that dog owners are liable for the harm even if their dog did not have any previous record of acting aggressively.
However, the strict liability does not guarantee recovery in all cases. Here, you will learn about the situations when you can file a personal injury case in the court for a dog bite.
If you or your loved one has been bitten by a dog in California, you should note that the 'strict liability' rules apply in the state. This means that dog owners are liable for the harm even if their dog did not have any previous record of acting aggressively.
However, the strict liability does not guarantee recovery in all cases. Here, you will learn about the situations when you can file a personal injury case in the court for a dog bite.
About the Dog Bite Law in California
California dog bite law is encapsulated in section 3342 of the Civil Code. According to the law, a dog owner is liable for damages in case the following three conditions are met:
Let's suppose that a person was walking on a sidewalk when he or she gets viciously attacked by a dog. In this case, the dog bite statute will apply as the dog owner did not take reasonable steps to secure the pet.
Now suppose that a person gets injured due to falling on a pavement as he or she tried to run away from the dog. In this situation, the California dog bite statute does not apply and the dog owner is not liable for injuries.
Again, suppose that a person was bitten by the dog while 'illegally' trespassing on another's property. In this situation as well, the California dog bite statute does not apply.
- The owner's dog caused the injury
- The injury was not due to any behavior of the individual
- The injured person was lawfully present in a public or private place
Let's suppose that a person was walking on a sidewalk when he or she gets viciously attacked by a dog. In this case, the dog bite statute will apply as the dog owner did not take reasonable steps to secure the pet.
Now suppose that a person gets injured due to falling on a pavement as he or she tried to run away from the dog. In this situation, the California dog bite statute does not apply and the dog owner is not liable for injuries.
Again, suppose that a person was bitten by the dog while 'illegally' trespassing on another's property. In this situation as well, the California dog bite statute does not apply.
Get Immediate Legal Help for Dog Bite Cases
Keep in mind that you must act fast after you have been injured by a dog. Every state has imposed a limit during which a person can file a personal injury lawsuit. In the state of California, a person can file a personal injury case within two years of an injury. After the period has passed, you cannot file a claim in the court for dog bite injuries.
So, you should get immediate legal help for a dog bite injury case. Our Inland Empire personal injury lawyers will assist you to preserve evidence, identify defendants, and locate witnesses. Do not delay in getting help of a personal injury attorney if you have been a victim of a dog bite attack, or your loved one has.
So, you should get immediate legal help for a dog bite injury case. Our Inland Empire personal injury lawyers will assist you to preserve evidence, identify defendants, and locate witnesses. Do not delay in getting help of a personal injury attorney if you have been a victim of a dog bite attack, or your loved one has.
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