Even though most of us view them as man’s best friend, one
should not forget that dog bites can be really painful, and many a times can
lead to the victim being disfigured. Millions of people are bitten by dogs all
over the United States each year. Most laws related to pets; state that the
owner of the dog is directly responsible for the pet’s actions. Although it
would be really biased to say that it is always the pooch’s fault but most
times, it is the general negligence of the owner that results in a bite.
Image Credits @ NYCMarines
While not all dog bites are serious, but in many cases can
lead to the victim’s loss of work, intense trauma and medical bills that can
burn through one’s pockets. Hiring a Personal injury lawyer in case of a dog
bite cannot make the pain go away but can definitely lower the mental stress a
victim and his/her family has to go through. Here are the advantages of hiring
a personal injury lawyer in case of a dog bite.
1.
Legal Representation
After suffering from a dog bite, most people are conned and
have their insurance claim reduced or denied by the insurance adjusters. Most
time it is the lack of the victim’s knowledge of the insurance laws and
procedures. A personal injury lawyer can help present the victim’s injury to
the insurance company in a proper and organized manner and try to get the
victim a claim amount that is the monetary equivalent of the victim’s injury.
The right claim amount can help lower the stress of medical bills on the
victim.
2.
Legal Advise
Most times, the victims are unaware of the laws relating to
personal injury by dog bites. This leads to incorrect personal injury claims to
the insurance company and the dog’s owner. a personal injury lawyer makes his
bread and butter by representing victims in the court and to the insurance
company and is aware of all the procedures in such cases. The victim can get
sound legal advice from a personal injury lawyer and can get the claim and
compensation in a much easier and stress free way.
3.
Contingency Fee
A dog bite can often result in severe medical bills and most
victims are further stressed and sometimes harassed by the insurance agencies.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and will only ask
for a free if they succeed in getting their clients the right claim and
compensation. This not only lowers the burden on the victim’s pocket but also
makes the Lawyer more dedicated towards his work as in most cases the lawyer’s
fee is a portion of the claim the victim receives.
4.
False Claims
It is not uncommon for many people to be bitten by dogs due
to their own negligence or due to the fact that they provoked the dog or was
trespassing in the owner’s property. While leash laws differ by a great degree
in different places, most laws include the possibility of the victim’s fault
that resulted into being bitten. A personal injury lawyer can also represent
the dog owner in case a false or overrated claim is made.
Not all dogs are dangerous and not all dog bites are severe,
especially when your adorable pooch affectionately bites you. But the owners
need to take full responsibility for their pet’s actions especially if it
results in someone getting bitten. The victim also needs to beware of dogs’
unpredictable temperament and should not do anything to provoke the dogs. If in
case an injury does occur, a Personal Injury Lawyer can prove like an ace up
the sleeve for both the victim and the dog owners.
Author Bio:
Rohit Agarwal is the current contributor to fnblegal.com
which specializes in legal representation and is also the best place to seek for
a Personal Injury Lawyer in New York.
Rohit is always on a lookout for the latest happenings in the field of Law.
