Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Preventing Dog Attacks In Arizona
As experienced Phoenix dog bite attorneys we help people who have suffered attacks from dogs. Many times, our clients are children who have been viciously attacked when the owner of the dog did not care enough to keep their dog on a leash. Leash laws in Arizona are not enough for so many of these dog owners. We have seen the same type of scenario unfold on a consistent basis when it comes to dog bite injuries. Like many injury attorneys that help people who have been significantly injured, whether from a car accident or a dog bite, we see that some things are consistently dangerous and cause injury. There are some injuries that personal injury attorneys see over and over again. One of the most consistent injury stories is people being bitten by dogs.
Many times they are bitten by pit bulls. Seeing dog bites over and over makes us think that dog owners still do not understand how dangerous their dogs can be to others. Pit bull owners many times defend the actions of their dogs. Many pit bull owners say how sweet their dogs are and refuse to see that the breed of pit bulls presents more dangers of unexpected biting than other breeds. Somehow, some pit bull owners take this as a personal attack on their own dog. It is not. The question is not whether an individual pit bull is dangerous, but whether owners of pit bulls should acknowledge the possibility of dangerous propensities, and limit the risk of serious dog bit injuries to children and others. This is not to say that all pit bulls are going to bite a human being. Most pit bulls will never bite. That is no excuse for the dog owner- of any breed - that refuses to take proper precautions. Dog owners, including pit bull owners, must come to accept the fact that dogs do bite - even their beloved family dog can bite. The permanent scars we have seen suffered by children is devastating for the kid and the family. It is, in the end, preventable in almost all cases.
Dog owners should take measures such as always keeping their down on a leash, making sure that their dog is kept behind a fence, or watching the dog carefully around children and strangers. Recently, there was a new story where a postal worker was attacked by two pit bulls while doing his route. The pit bulls were out in the yard just waiting to harm the postman out doing his job. Worse yet, this could have been a child. These pitbulls should not have been placed in an area where they could bite an innocent person and cause significant injuries. Dog bite victims have a right to receive fair compensation. What would be better, though, is if they were never injured.
Dog bite injuries usually cause extreme pain and suffering. Most times scarring is involved and most times dog bites involved children. Under Arizona dog bite injury law, those that have been bitten can collect lost wages, medical bills, plastic surgeon fees if necessary, pain, suffering, and emotional injuries suffered by being bitten by a dog. State law allows for lawsuits against the dog owner. Often, but not always, the injured victim has recourse against the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy. Furthermore, the dog does not have to bite someone on the homeowner's property for the homeowner's insurance policy to be applicable. In other words, if a dog owner were on a playground and the dog were not leashed and bit an individual, the injury victim most likely could collect against the dog owner's homeowner's insurance policy even though the bite occurred on the playground not on the homeowner's property. Many people are unaware that this is the law and that the dog owner's homeowner's insurance may cover for these injuries.
Victims should bring a dog bite lawsuit within one year if they are going to bring a claim at all. While some people think there is a two year time period to bring an injury claim after a dog bite, the law is very different if the claim is brought in the first year. This is because there is strict liability for dog bites if the victim of a dog bite brings a lawsuit in Arizona within the first year. There is no "one free bite" law in Arizona, so a lawsuit brought in the first year eliminates the argument that the dog owner did not know their dog was dangerous. On the other hand, if the lawsuit is brought after more than one year but less than two years, a claim still exists, but it must include proving the dog was dangerous and the owner knew, or should have known, of the dog's dangerous propensities. If a child is bitten, the time period to bring most of the claim is much longer, depending upon the age of the child.
If you or anyone you know has questions after a dog bite, feel free to give the Phoenix dog bite injury attorneys at Breyer Law Offices a call. There is no cost and no obligation. We are happy to give an honest, fair assessment of the case and then allow you to make the best decision for yourself and your family about whether it makes sense to proceed with an dog bite lawsuit or claim.
