Dog bites present more than an immediate danger to their victims. Should you be bit by a dog that’s been mistreated or poorly cared for, your injury could expose you to rabies, long-term infection, and life-changing disabilities. It’s with these consequences in mind that the state of Arizona allows you to take action against a negligent dog owner after a dog bite accident.
You don’t have to foster a case alone, either. When you contact a Peoria dog bite attorney, you can more easily divide your time between post-accident recovery and your right to legal action. The Zanes Law team can take point on your case and make sure you have the opportunity to pursue justice to the utmost extent allowed by Illinois law.
Arizona’s One Bite Rule
Arizona has a strict one-bite rule. Dog owners can be held liable for their dog’s behavior regardless of whether or not they knew of the dog’s mischievous or violent temperament at the time of the accident. This means that victims do not need to prove foreknowledge of a dog’s temperament to take legal action against a liable party.
Strict Liability and Dog Bite Accidents
It may be easier than usual for dog bite victims to hold owners accountable for their losses. However, there are still steps you need to take before bringing your case before a civil judge.
As a dog bite accident survivor, you must indicate that your right to civil action bears protection under Arizona’s strict dog bite liability law. Specifically, according to Arizona Revised Statutes §11-1025, you must indicate that:
- You were engaging peacefully and lawfully alongside the animal in question.
- You did not antagonize the dog.
- The injuries you walked away with are directly tied to the dog in question’s behavior.
In indicating that you had no role in antagonizing the dog in question and that your injuries are primarily the fault of said dog and owner, you may merit the right to compensation based on your accident’s losses.
The Wide-Spread Reach of Arizona’s Dog Bite Rulings
Arizona’s legislation addressing dog bites can be applied to cases involving scratches, bruising, and similar injuries. If a dog bite or similar interaction with a dog resulted in the unexpected passing of a loved one, you can discuss your right to a wrongful death claim with either a dog bite attorney or a wrongful death attorney.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Peoria, call 866-499-8989
Reacting to a Dog Bite Injury
If you find that, by law, you can take action against the party who owns the dog who bit you, you can file a civil complaint. Your complaint needs to include claims that place you as the victim of an owner’s negligence, as well as evidence of that negligence.
Furthermore, you need to elaborate on the nature of your dog bite losses and how you would like to see those compensated.
Evidence of Dog Bite Liability
A claim of dog bite liability presented without evidence may not stand up in court. You need to work with an attorney ahead of time to gather the data needed to prove your right to compensation. The data you gather from the scene of your accident or in the days that follow should help you craft the story of your accident.
The evidence you bring forward can range from medical bills and third-party assessment of your injuries to video footage of the attack. Other viable forms of dog bite accident evidence can include:
- Bystander testimony
- Assessment of your injuries
- Previous reports detailing the behavior of the same dog
You can discuss what means through which you can prove your right to compensation with a dog bite lawyer in Peoria.
Dog Bite Case Damages
The evidence you present also helps you establish the value of your dog bite injury case. Specifically, you must bring forward evidence of the cost of your recovery if you want to request economic damages. Further, you need to elaborate on why you believe state-approved multipliers may apply to your case while standing in for non-economic losses.
Our team refers to the evidence from your accident as well as state precedent to determine what damages to which you may be entitled. This means that the compensation you may be owed after your dog bite accident may include:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- The cost of restoring, replacing, or otherwise addressing damaged property
- Long-term, at-home care and rehabilitation
- Wages lost while recovering
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD and related trauma
- Wrongful death, if applicable
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Arguing for Compensation on Your Terms
When you pursue compensation for a dog bite through a civil claim, you get to determine how you want to approach the liable party in question. Provided that your complaint moves forward, you can request that a dog owner meet you outside of court to engage in negotiations. Conducting out-of-court negotiations allows you to resolve matters more quickly.
A dog owner who refuses to take responsibility for the behavior of their animal may be better met in civil court. You can discuss the nature of the liable party in question and determine how best to approach them with help from a dog bite attorney in Peoria.
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Applying for Compensation by the State Deadline
The personal injury statute of limitations that dictates the timeline of other personal injury lawsuits, including slip and fall and car accidents, also applies to dog bite cases. According to Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542, you must take action based on your losses within two years of your accident.
You do not have to take the full two years given to dog bite victims to bring your case together. With help from our team, you may be able to bring your case forward far sooner. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this deadline, however, you waive your right to compensation obtained through the court system.
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Zanes Law Represents Dog Bite Victims in Peoria
You have the right to hold a dog owner accountable for your losses in the days following a dog bite accident. If you’re not sure what possible legal action might look like or how to approach your case, you can contact a Peoria dog bite lawyer. Zanes Law representatives can work with you to establish your losses and submit your case to a county clerk.
To learn more about what the average dog bite accident case looks like in Arizona, schedule a free case consultation with our team today. You can contact our office by reaching out to us online or calling during operating hours. We’re prepared to guide you through the process of building your dog bite complaint and upholding your interests in civil court.
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