There are good reasons why a dog is known as man’s best friend. Most of them are loving, loyal, and well-behaved.
However, even the best dogs can cause serious injuries if they bite. More than 4.5 million Americans suffer from dog bites each year, and more than 800,000 of them require medical attention.
California historically has the highest number of dog attack insurance claims nationwide.
Dog bites range from minor nicks to attacks that cause devastating damage. In addition to the physical injuries, many dog bite victims suffer from severe emotional trauma.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we understand the physical and emotional harm a dog attack can cause, and we want to help you through this challenging experience. Our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.
If a dog bite has injured you, you need an experienced San Jose dog bite attorney by your side.
Jacoby & Meyers’ injury attorneys in San Jose have over 50 years of experience protecting personal injury victims. We have the skills and resources to build your strongest case and recover your maximum compensation.
Call us today at (408) 341-6883 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to meeting you, answering your questions, explaining your rights, and helping you get the justice you deserve.
San Jose Dog Bite Causes
Dogs may bite for numerous reasons. Many times, they bite when they feel threatened. Other reasons they may bite include:
- They can be territorial and possessive of their perceived area, food, or possessions.
- Female dogs may bite to protect their litters.
- They may be sick or in pain.
- Dogs that have been mistreated may not know how to react to someone’s movements and act aggressively as a defense mechanism.
- Sometimes, dogs may become overly excited and not realize their strength and aggressiveness when they play.
- They may be stressed. A new environment, loud noises, and strangers stress many dogs.
- They may be overly protective of their family and attack if they perceive a threat to a family member.
There are countless reasons a dog may bite someone. Whether the dog intended to harm you or not, you can seek compensation for your damages.
Most Dangerous Dog Breeds
It may feel wrong to single out certain dog breeds as dangerous. However, studies clearly show that some breeds are more likely to bite than others.
One recent study shows the most dangerous dog breeds to be:
- Pitbulls
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Mastiffs
- American Bulldog
- Huskies
In addition to these, there are a few other breeds that insurance companies consider dangerous, including:
- Doberman Pinschers
- Chow Chows
- Akitas
Dog owners may assume that their homeowner’s insurance will cover them if their dog bites someone. However, many insurance companies will not insure dangerous breeds such as the ones above.
Liability in San Jose Dog Bite Claims
California has a strict liability law for dog bites. A dog owner is responsible for damages caused by their dog biting or attacking someone in the owner’s home or any other private or public space.
Some states have a “one-bite rule” that allows dog owners to avoid liability if their dog has never bitten anyone before. However, California rejects that policy. Under California law, it does not matter whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or the owner knew that it may bite.
The only exceptions to California’s strict liability rule are if the dog is:
- Defending against someone who is committing assault, battery, rape, or murder
- Defending against someone abusing or torturing the dog
- Defending against someone trespassing, breaking into, or burglarizing their home
- An on-duty police or military dog
Even landlords may be held responsible for allowing tenants to have a dangerous breed on their property.
When a dog has bitten someone, California law requires the dog’s owner to provide the victim with their name, address, phone number, the dog’s license number, and the status of the dog’s vaccinations within 48 hours.
Common San Jose Dog Bite Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), twenty percent of dog bites require medical care.
Dog bites can cause catastrophic damage. In addition to the initial damage, dog bites can result in complications that cause further harm, including:
- Infections can result in sepsis, which can quickly become serious and even fatal.
- Rabies is a deadly illness that can be transmitted from a dog bite.
- Bone injury complications can result from forceful bites.
- MRSA is a dangerous bacterial infection that can result from dog bites.
- Pasteurella infection can result from the bacteria in the dog’s saliva.
- Tetanus is a bacterial disease that can result from dog bites.
- Wounds can lead to severe, permanent scarring.
- Loss of fingers, toes, arms, or legs.
- Nerve damage.
- Psychological trauma
You should seek immediate medical attention after a dog bite. Some bites require surgery, while others may require antibiotics to prevent or treat infections or treatment to prevent rabies or tetanus.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims
The California statute of limitations for filing a dog bite claim is two years from the date of the dog bite. If you miss this deadline, you most likely cannot recover compensation for your damages.
However, there are very few exceptions to the two-year deadline. In some cases, you may have longer to file your claim, and in other cases, you may have a much shorter deadline for filing a claim.
You must immediately consult an experienced San Jose dog bite attorney to determine your filing deadline.
Another reason to promptly retain an attorney is to protect essential evidence to support your claim. Evidence can be lost, destroyed, or diminished over time.
When the Jacoby & Meyers personal injury lawyers accept a case, they immediately thoroughly investigate the accident to determine all possible causes and potentially liable parties to maximize client compensation. They also promptly discover and secure vital evidence to build your strongest case.
The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact a San Jose Dog Bite Attorney Today
California holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused when their dog bites someone.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we understand how devastating a dog attack can be. If a dog bite has injured you, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries.
Our San Jose dog bite attorneys have protected personal injury victims for over 50 years and have a proven record of recovering maximum client compensation. We want to do the same for you.
Call us today at (408) 341-6883 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form