Dog’s are considered man’s best friend for many reasons. While there are a lot of friendly dogs out there, there are some that aren’t. Unfortunately, dog bites do happen to people every day in the Mesa region. Here are the steps you should follow if you’ve been recently bitten by another person’s dog.
Know The Deadline To File
When it comes to filing a personal injury claim in civil court, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to do so. Otherwise, the claim can be instantly thrown out as the statute of limitations has expired. Arizona holds a strict two-year deadline for this type of case, to ensure that you file as soon as possible.
NOTE: Although the general statute of limitations for dog bites is 2 years, all dog bite lawsuits should be filed within 1 year to take advantage of the Arizona strict liability statute.
Make Sure Your Circumstances Count
It’s important to realize that every state treats dog bites a little differently. In the state of Arizona, there must be two circumstances that must be met in order to file suit against someone for a dog bite claim. These include:
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- Physical Injury Due To A Dog’s Bite
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- Bite Happened On Public Property Or Lawful Private Property
Dogs are still considered a form of protection for homeowners in Arizona. If you trespass on a person’s private property without permission, the dog’s owner cannot be held liable for the bite. In order for the owner to be held liable, the bite must’ve happened on public property or you must have legally been invited onto the private property where the bite took place. Our Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer has dealt with 100s if not 1000s of dog bite cases in Arizona so he knows how to help you with your case.
Strict Liability Law
Arizona sports a strict liability law when it comes to dog bites. This means that the owner of the dog is liable for the injury even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression before. in some states, there is a one-bite rule that only holds pet owners responsible for the injury if the dog has bitten before or the owner knew the dog was aggressive. Arizona doesn’t have any leeway when it comes to liability as long as the two circumstances listed above are satisfied.
You should have a better understanding of how dog bite cases work in Mesa. Be sure to talk with our personal injury lawyer Mesa, AZ trusts and get your papers filed with the civil court within two years from the date of the bite. Ensure that the bite meets the two circumstances above so that you can have the best chance at winning your claim.
