Dog Bite Statistics
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Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers
The debate over dog bite statistics in Arizona can get quite contentious, particularly with respect to bite related fatalities. Some independent researchers put the number at around 30 per year; whereas the Center for Disease Control and the Journal of the American Medical Association peg the number closer to 17. Advocates of the higher number suggest that the CDC and JAMA are working from old data and extrapolating trends incorrectly.
Here are some more interesting statistics:
- The US Postal Service tracks dog bites against carriers and typically reports around 3,000 incidences annually.
- CDC figures put the number of hospital visits related to dog bites at 1,000 a day.
- Children under the age of 14 are at heightened risk for dog bite injuries. Whether this is because their size makes it difficult for them to fend off dogs or whether young kids tend to be more rambunctious around dogs is a matter of debate.
- States that have the "one free bite" law include: Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
- Three states operate under so-called mixed laws regarding liability: Georgia, New York and Tennessee.
- All other states, including Arizona, work under the principle of strict liability. However, in Arizona the lawsuit must be brought within one year to be able to have the protections afforded by strict liability laws.
- The Journal of the American Medical Association estimated (back in the mid 1990s) that dog bites cost Americans over a billion dollars a year; some argue that the estimate actually underestimates the problem, and that the costs could be twice that much.
For more statistical information, check out the numbers compiled by the Insurance Information Institute, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the CDC, and reputable websites that track smaller but no less accurate studies of these issues.
For questions regarding dog bite liability in Arizona, connect with the Breyer Law Husband and Wife Law Team. We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We boast an extensive track record and excellent reputation for client satisfaction. Mark Breyer is one of only a small percentage of Arizona personal injury attorneys who have been awarded the State Bar of Arizona's certification as an injury and wrongful death specialist. You are welcome to contact us for a no-cost analysis of your potential Arizona dog bite claim by calling 480-753-4534.
