Arizona civil law states that dog owners must take responsibility for the behavior of their animals regardless of whether or not they knew the animals were predisposed towards viciousness prior to an attack. This means that victims of dog bite accidents have legal recourse should they suffer severe physical and economic losses in the wake of a dog owner’s negligence.
You are under no obligation to pursue a dog bite claim on your own. Goodyear dog bite attorneys can meet with you on your terms to discuss how the law entitles you to compensation for your losses. You can schedule a case evaluation with Zanes Law and arrange representation through negotiations or a standard civil trial.
What to Expect When Filing a Dog Bite Case in Goodyear, AZ
Dog bite accidents are classified as personal injury accidents in the eyes of Arizona civil courts. That said, the state has direct legislation that applies to accidents involving a vicious animal and the subsequent injury of a related party. Victims of dog bite accidents are specifically protected by Arizona’s “one bite” rule.
Some states allow dog owners some flexibility if they are unaware of a dog’s Natural Instincts. For example, if a dog owner rescues a dog and doesn’t know that the dog may be triggered by stress or other stimuli, that owner may not be liable for the first dog by accident that said dog causes.
This is not the case in Arizona. Instead, Arizona offers no flexibility to dog owners whose dogs act maliciously, mischievously, or aggressively. Instead, all dog owners can be held liable for their dog’s behavior the first time the dog acts out. This is the case regardless of whether or not the dog owner knew that the dog had a bad temper.
The Overlap Between Personal Injury and Dog Bite Legislation
Dog bite accidents constitute personal injury accidents in Arizona. Despite being a subset of this category of civil claim, however, dog bite claims must still abide by the deadline that applies to the vast majority of other personal injury cases.
Specifically, any party that wants to take action against a dog owner after a dangerous accident must abide by Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542. This personal injury statute of limitations allows victims of dog bite accidents to take up to two years to bring together a case. Interested parties can work with Goodyear dog bite lawyers during this time.
Unfortunately, the deadline is strict. Attempting to file a dog bite claim outside of the personal injury statute of limitations outlined here can see Arizona civil courts deny you your rights to compensation. This is the benefit of working with a dog bite attorney, as experienced professionals can help you stay on track while building your case.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Goodyear, call 866-499-8989
Strict Liability and Its Role in Your Dog Bite Case
The one-bite rule isn’t the only piece of Arizona legislation that addresses dog bite accidents. While Arizona legislature isn’t particularly generous when addressing dog owners, it requires thorough work on the part of victims who want to pursue civil claims based on their losses.
Specifically, dog bite accident victims must abide by strict liability. The state outlines its understanding of strict liability in Arizona Revised Statutes §11-1025. According to this statute, victims of dog bite accidents must prove, with the support of evidence, that:
- They did not antagonize the dog at the time of the accident
- They were not trespassing on private property and were otherwise engaging lawfully alongside the animal
- They endured injuries and/or other losses that can be directly tied to the dog’s aggressive behavior
Victims of dog bike accidents can work with a dog bite lawyer in Goodyear to gather the evidence they need to establish the aforementioned points. This evidence helps prove the value of their case when filing an initial complaint.
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Recover Dog Bite Damages
The purpose of a dog bite complaint is to help you overcome the financial stress associated with your accident. These claims can’t undo the injuries done to you, but they can give you the means to visit with medical specialists, pursue physical therapy, and restore any damage to property that a dog might have gotten their teeth into.
What’s more, a dog bite accident claim allows you to demand damages for losses that don’t generate bills. These losses are referred to as non-economic. A non-economic loss associated with a dog bite accident can address accident-related PTSD, emotional distress, and in the most severe cases, wrongful death.
Our team calculates the value of your dog bite complaint by first establishing the total value of the bills you have related to your accident. We then modify that value by substituting state-approved multipliers for your non-economic losses. Once we’ve established the damages to which you may be entitled, we can present our estimate of your case’s value to a judge.
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Take Control Over Your Dog Bite Case Proceedings
A dog bite accident complaint further gives you control over how you might go about your recovery. More specifically, your complaint does not lock you into a particular legal path. Rather, you and an attorney can discuss whether negotiating for a dog bite settlement or requesting the interference of a judge better suits your interests.
Dog bite settlement negotiations are not inherently superior to civil trials. They do, however, tend to resolve more quickly than a trial. To begin negotiations, you can summon a liable party to an out-of-court location and have a representative elaborate on the value of your case. You can then negotiate for the coverage you feel you deserve.
If a dog owner doesn’t understand why they may owe you compensation or otherwise refuses to acknowledge their dog’s role in your losses, negotiations may stall. At this point, it may be in your best interest to request that your case goes before a judge. You can return to negotiations at any point during a trial save for deliberation and upon the delivery of a verdict.
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File Your Dog Bite Claim with Goodyear Courts Today
Don’t let the statute of limitations on your dog bite injury case pass you by. You can work with the Zanes law team to file a claim against the dog owner responsible for your recent injuries. Our experienced dog bite attorneys in Goodyear, AZ, can meet with you on your terms and elaborate on the rights afforded to you under Arizona personal injury law.
To learn more about the rights of dog bite victims in Arizona, contact the Zanes Law office and schedule your free case consultation. We are available to set a date for your first evaluation over the phone or via the contact form on our website.
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