3 Legal Challenges A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Deal With If A Dog Bites You
Dog bites can be serious and can lead to lasting physical and emotional damage. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by the bite, victims may also incur costly medical bills and lost wages. If your injuries were caused as a result of someone else's fault, you should seek legal recourse. A personal injury attorney can help you to navigate the system, reducing the trauma caused by the incident. In this article, you'll learn three legal challenges they can help you handle.
Establishing Liability
Proving that a dog's owner is liable for your injuries can be tricky. To do so, you must show that the owner knew or should have known that their dog had a propensity for violent behavior and that they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it from harming others. This can be difficult, especially if the dog has never exhibited aggression before. Thankfully, a skilled attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, establish liability, and build a strong case against the owner.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may be notoriously difficult to deal with, especially when it comes to paying out on dog bite claims. They may try to lowball you or reject your claim, especially if they discover that the dog has a history of biting people. If you don't have an attorney by your side, you may struggle to get the full compensation you deserve. Luckily, attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies and can help you get a fair settlement for your injuries. They'll negotiate on your behalf and ensure that adjusters don't intimidate you.
Filing a Lawsuit
If your personal injury claim is unsuccessful or the insurance company offers you an unfair settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit. This is a complex legal process you shouldn't handle on your own, even if your injuries are minor. Otherwise, you risk making mistakes that could jeopardize your case and result in you receiving less compensation than you deserve. An attorney understands the intricacies of the legal system and can help you navigate through it. With them by your side, you also won't have to worry about filling out paperwork or meeting deadlines because they will handle everything for you.
If you're a dog bite victim, you shouldn't have to bear the financial burden of your injuries alone. A personal attorney can fight for your rights and work to get you the maximum compensation available under the law.
Contact a local personal injury attorney to learn more.