Dog Bites

Skilled Dog Bites Lawyer in Raleigh, North Carolina

Extreme misery can result from a dog attack, especially if you or your child is bitten. Any dog that feels threatened can bite. If you or a loved one is bitten by another person’s dog, knowing your rights can make all the difference in how the damage affects your life and future. You may have the right to seek compensation from the dog owner’s insurance company.

Our skilled Raleigh dog bites lawyer at Diener Law can argue for you with insurance and demand reimbursement for dog bites. We assist severely injured victims of dog bites and dog mauling throughout the state of North Carolina, including Raleigh. Contact us to explore how our personal injury attorney might help you.

Why Do You Need a Dog Bites Lawyer in North Carolina?

There are several important reasons why you may want our dog bites lawyer to defend you in a dog bite case:

Family or Friend Uncertainty

You may feel awkward seeking compensation from a friend or relative, but you may have no other option. In addition, the culpable person will definitely have insurance, and you will seek recompense from the insurer, not your family, friend, or neighbor. A serious dog bite can have long-lasting emotional and financial consequences. Rabies, cellulitis, and canimorsus infections can result from even a “small” bite.

Complex Understanding of North Carolina Law and Local Ordinances

North Carolina’s dog bite laws are unlike those of other states. The intricacy and layers of diverse laws make it difficult for the majority of individuals to comprehend and may discourage harmed parties from filing a claim. That is an error. Consult with our seasoned dog bites lawyer as soon as possible; don’t just accept the repercussions of another person’s conduct.

Aggressive Insurance Agencies

An insurance company will likely seek a rapid payment that does not cover the injury’s whole, long-term cost. If you agree to a dog bite settlement in North Carolina before these potential costs are considered, you may be responsible for future medical fees and other charges.

Proving Negligence

As with other personal injury claims, the injured party must demonstrate that the other party behaved negligently in creating the accident — for example, by failing to enclose a hazardous dog — and that the harm was a direct result of these acts. We may utilize medical doctors and other experts to demonstrate the attack’s long-term effects.

What Are the North Carolina Dog Bite Laws?

Some dog breeds are statistically more prone to attack than others, particularly if their owners neglect to properly train them or mistreat them. A measure introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2013 imposed regulations on six of the following breeds:

• Rottweilers
• Pit Bulls
• Mastiffs
• Chow Chow
• Presa Canarios
• Wolf Hybrids

The proposed legislation would mandate that all dog owners submit to a background check, complete four hours of specialized training, receive a special state permit, and inform their homeowner’s insurance company about the dog. According to North Carolina General Statute 67-12, no owner may allow a dog older than six months to be unattended outside at night. Offenders are subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor charge.

According to North Carolina General Statute 67-4, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries or property damage caused by their “dangerous dog.” Article 1A of this law defines the classifications for dangerous dogs, which include canines with the following characteristics:

• Bit or attacked someone without provocation in the past
• Bitten someone so badly that hospitalization was necessary
• Another domesticated animal was killed on another person’s property
• Attempted to attack a person when they were not on their owner’s property

The owner of a dangerous dog must take precautions to keep the animal secure, including, but not limited to, keeping the animal indoors or in a facility that is enclosed. If the dog is permitted to leave the property, it must be appropriately confined, such as with a leash and muzzle. If the owner fails to adhere to these rules and their dangerous dog attacks you, they may be accountable for your injuries.

What is North Carolina’s “One Bite” Rule?

North Carolina is one of just 18 states that continue to adhere to the “one bite” rule. Under this ruling, dog owners cannot be held responsible for injuries caused by their dogs if they are unaware of the animal’s harmful propensities. This can be difficult for victims of unprovoked dog attacks if the dog has no history of attacking humans. However, there are a few exceptions:

• The dog has previously attacked one other domestic animal
• The dog has been trained to fight
• The dog is older than six months, is “at large,” and its owner is not present

In such cases, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner accountable for your injuries, even if the dog has never attacked before. The dog bite rules in North Carolina are complicated. However, if you have been harmed as a result of a dog attack, our competent Raleigh dog bites lawyer can analyze your case and explain your legal options.

What Can Be the Possible Serious Injuries If a Dog Bites You?

A dog or other animal attack can be frightening and cause severe injuries requiring considerable medical care. Examples of such injuries include the following:

• Broken bones
• Ligaments, tendons, and muscles torn apart
• Puncture and severe laceration wounds

People who are injured in dog attacks sometimes have a serious head, face, and neck injuries. These injuries may necessitate substantial plastic surgery and permanently disfigure the person. Concussions are also prevalent in dog bites in which the victim is thrown to the ground.

However, dog bites are not necessarily restricted to bodily injury. Numerous individuals who have been attacked by a dog or other animal also experience the following types of emotional and psychological trauma:

• Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression

You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and other damages if you have been injured by a dog. Our skilled dog bites lawyer can assist you in holding the dog’s owner responsible.

What Are the Things You Should Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog?

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog and has been injured, you should take quick action such as:

• Seek Medical Assistance
• Safely Confine the Dog
• Contact the Police or Animal Control Authorities
• Request About Rabies Vaccination
• Submit an Insurance Claim

Additionally, it is important to contact our Raleigh dog bites lawyer as best step. To obtain compensation from the dog owner’s insurance, you must prove the dog owner’s liability for your damage. An insurance provider would likely be hesitant to pay for all of your damages, which may be substantial. We have experience in dog bite cases under North Carolina law and can collect proof of the dog owner’s liability, assess all of your injury losses, and negotiate a settlement that covers your losses.

What Can You Sue for Following a Dog Attack?

You may seek compensation for any injuries or property damage caused by another person’s dangerous dog to you, your property, or another animal you own, according to North Carolina law. In the majority of dog bite lawsuits, the majority, if not all, of the damages will be associated with the victim’s injuries. Dog attacks can result in a range of severe injuries, including:

• Lacerations, include puncture wounds and severe cuts or tears of flesh, muscle, or other soft tissue
• Broken bones from a huge dog’s crushing bite or by being thrown to the ground
• Additional impact wounds from falling, including head injuries, including concussion or more serious Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), back and spine injuries, and cuts and bruises
• Infections and diseases, such as rabies, tetanus, and bacterial sepsis

Any one of these injuries might result in hospitalization. Bites to the face may result in disfiguring injuries and necessitate plastic surgery. In a dog bite claim or lawsuit, compensation may be sought for:

• Medical expenditures
• Future medical costs resulting from the injury
• Lost income during rehabilitation or as a result of diminished earning capacity
• Damage to property, including shattered eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.
• Distress and suffering
• The devastating loss of a loved one’s care and company 

Some individuals sustain dog bite injuries when attempting to intervene and save a pet from a brutal dog attack. The compensation for the loss of a pet as a result of an attack by a dangerous dog might include veterinary costs and property damage.

How to File a Dog Bite Claim in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, if you are injured by a dog, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against the owner based on legal principles such as statutory liability, scienter, or negligence. After reviewing your case, our knowledgeable Raleigh dog bites lawyer will advise you on the most appropriate course of action. When you bring a lawsuit under statutory liability, we will argue that the dog owner deliberately and knowingly disregarded the North Carolina rules governing dog ownership.

For instance, if an owner lets their dog out unrestrained at night, causing it to rush into your property and attack you, the owner is certainly responsible for your injuries. You might insist that they cover the resulting expenses. We may also offer scienter as an alternative legal technique. Scienter is also known as the “one-bite rule” that several states have embraced.

If a dog has previously attacked someone and the owner is aware of this, you can use scientific evidence to establish that the owner owes you compensation. Scienter is a form of “negligence per se,” which means that the owner breached animal control rules due to their negligence. Because North Carolina adheres to the contributory negligence doctrine, filing a negligence claim might be challenging. This tight restriction makes settling your dog claim more difficult.

Our personal injury attorney at Diener Law will assist you with the complexities of North Carolina’s legislation, including:

• Statutes of limitations
• Contributory negligence
• Personal injury damages

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in North Carolina for a Dog Bite?

North Carolina’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident and injuries. However, the sooner you contact our dog bites lawyer in Raleigh, the earlier we can begin researching your claim and preserving crucial evidence to strengthen your case.

Who Can You File a Damages Claim Against If You Were Bitten by a Stray Dog?

As no one usually owns stray dogs, it might be challenging to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. In the absence of a confirmed owner, dog bite cases normally cannot proceed. However, if someone is bitten by an escaped dog from a pound or shelter, the organization may be held accountable for the victim’s injuries.

What If the Owner Claims That You Trespassed?

Under some conditions, owners may not be responsible for dog bites. This may be the case if the individual provoked the dog or trespassed on the owner’s property. If you are entangled in a dog bite claim in North Carolina, consult with our personal injury attorney in Raleigh as soon as possible so you understand your full legal rights and choices for filing a claim.

What Happens If Your Relative, Friend, or Neighbor’s Dog Bites You?

It might be awkward to seek compensation from a friend, relative, or neighbor for dog bite injuries. We recognize that chasing a loved one for financial compensation for your injury might ruin your personal connection. We can assist. Our professional Raleigh dog bites lawyer will immediately pursue the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance, removing you and your family from the problem.

How Can Our Knowledgeable Raleigh Dog Bites Lawyer Help?

The knowledgeable Raleigh dog bites lawyer at Diener Law is familiar with North Carolina dog bite law, personal injury law, and insurance law as they apply to compensation claims for dog bites and maulings. After a traumatic dog attack, you may be unable to work for an extended period and endure a loss of income. You should investigate the various legal remedies.

We will establish a strong case and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to secure full compensation for your injuries and losses. The majority of individuals have never been engaged in a significant accident and are unaware of their entitlement to compensation for injuries caused unfairly. You need not be anxious about potentially suing a neighbor or acquaintance, since we will advocate on your behalf.

Insurance companies, not dog owners, pay for dog bite claims. The majority of the legal work will be handled directly with insurance. If you or a loved one has been attacked and injured by a dog in Raleigh, please call our trained dog bites lawyer. Diener Law handles accident and personal injury victims across North Carolina, including Raleigh.

Our Raleigh Law Office is Here to Help

You may be eligible for compensation if you are bitten by a dog and sustained injuries. Our Raleigh dog bite attorney will fight relentlessly to ensure that the dog owner is held liable for your losses. We will seek the utmost possible compensation on your behalf. Since North Carolina’s negligence laws are so strict, it would be in your best interest to call us at Diener Law to explore the specifics of your case. 

A member of our staff can discuss your dog bite claim possibilities and how we can assist you. We can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and construct a strong legal argument to prove that the owner’s carelessness caused your damage. We will demand that the owner’s insurance company compensate you in full and fairly, negotiate with them, and if necessary, take them to court. At Diener Law, our dog bite injury lawyer fights for dog attack victims so that they may go on with financial security. 

Call us if you’ve been bitten by a dog to get in touch with our personal injury attorney. Do not hesitate to begin holding the person responsible for your injury accountable.