A dog is a man’s best friend, or so they say. According to statistics from the CDC, more than four million dog bites occur each year in the United States. Of those four million dog bites, approximately 800,000 dog bites require medical care. These statistics mean that every year one out of every 69 people get bitten by a dog.
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.
If you are bit by a dog in Phoenix, Arizona and you do not know the dog’s owner, you will likely have little problem suing the dog’s owner and getting compensation for your injuries. However, what if you know the dog’s owner? What if it’s your neighbor’s dog or the dog of a friend? You may be reluctant to seek compensation for your injuries because of fear that doing so will damage your relationship with your friend or family member.
It’s good to remember in these cases that if the dog owner has homeowners insurance, it is possible that the compensation for your injuries can come from the homeowners insurance without you ever having to sue. By negotiating with your neighbor’s homeowner insurance company, your attorney may be able to get you what you need to cover your medical bills and other losses you may have sustained.
Your friend or neighbor may not mind being sued if they know that the lawsuit is going to be covered by their insurance and not from their own pocket. It may give your neighbor or friend peace of mind knowing that their insurance is going to compensate you for your injuries so that you are not left in a lurch.
If a dog has a history of biting people, the dog owner may have a greater responsibility before the law. Even if the dog’s owner swears up and down that their dog has never bitten anyone before and the bite is an anomaly, the truth may be completely different. A good investigator may be able to work with an attorney to find people who have had other experiences with the dog to get a clearer view of the dog’s history.
A serious dog bite can impact your life. If you need legal representation in Phoenix, Arizona, contact us at Gary Phillips Accident Law Professionals. We will work with you to better understand the details of your injury and identify legal options that you may be able to take advantage of.
