A dog attack can cause painful and damaging physical and psychological injuries. If you or a loved one has been attacked and bitten by someone else’s dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Fortunately, you can get help from a Yuma dog bite attorney. Our team at Zanes Law offers a free consultation to dog bite victims. We can help you understand your rights and determine the best approach to seek the compensation you deserve.
We know Arizona law, the courts, the judges, and how to deal with insurance companies, and we can keep you from making costly mistakes. Do not delay. If a dog has bitten you or a family member, call us or complete our online contact form.
Can You Get Compensation After a Yuma Dog Bite?
Arizona has several laws that concern claims regarding dog bites and attacks. Your dog bite lawyer in Yuma, AZ, will ensure you follow the law by filing your claim against the dog’s owner within the state’s required time periods.
When it comes to dog bites, Arizona is a strict liability state. Strick liability means a dog’s owner is liable for any injuries and damages the dog causes, even if the owner was not negligent, did not know that the dog was vicious or about the attack, or if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
In some circumstances, multiple people or entities may be liable for a dog bite. For example, if someone who was not the owner was present and caring for the dog when the animal attacked you, that person can also be held liable, according to AZ § 11-1025.
How Much Can You Get for Someone’s Dog Biting You?
The amount of compensation you receive after a dog attack in Yuma depends on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your losses. A Yuma dog bite attorney can review the facts of your claim to help you understand your options.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Yuma, call 866-499-8989
What Kind of Compensation Can You Get for a Yuma Dog Bite?
A Yuma dog bite lawyer can step in to help you secure funds to cover your losses following an animal attack. In many cases, individuals in your situation receive funds to cover their:
Medical Expenses
You may have the opportunity to seek funds to cover your healthcare expenses after a dog attack. These attacks can lead to severe injuries as well as infections and scarring. Many people require:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalization
- Medications for pain and antibiotics
- Medical tests and reconstructive surgeries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
Your dog bite attorney in Yuma can help you track all your losses and assist as you seek funds to cover these expenses.
Time Off at Work
It can take a lot of time to recover from a dog bite in Yuma. Fortunately, the dog’s owner may have to cover your lost wages and even your diminished earning potential. Your lawyer may review your old pay stubs to determine how much compensation you get for lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
You may also receive damages to cover your pain and suffering following a dog bite in Yuma. The court calls this form of compensation “non-economic” damages. Learn more about these damages by contacting us today.
Yuma Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989
Can You Secure Damages if You Lose a Loved One in a Dog Bite Attack?
If you lost a loved one due to a dog attack in Yuma, you might have a chance to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation. Our team can provide you with compassionate and understanding care in this situation.
Click to contact our Yuma Personal Injury Lawyers today
What Services Do Yuma Dog Bite Attorneys Offer?
A Yuma dog bite attorney can step in to provide you with comprehensive legal services after an animal attack. Our team starts by reviewing your situation with a free consultation. If we agree to take on your case, we may provide the following services:
Answers to Your Legal Questions
Arizona has complicated laws regarding dog bite cases and liability. We can walk you through these regulations, helping you feel more confident about your claim as we maintain open communication with our clients.
Help with Insurance Agents and the Dog Owner
We believe you should be able to focus on recovering from your injuries after a dog attack in Yuma. Our team takes over communication with insurance agents and the dog’s owners. However, we will keep you in the loop about all changes to your case.
Assistance Investigating the Attack
Our team of skilled dog bite attorneys in Yuma, AZ, have experience gathering evidence to back up your claim after an animal attack. We can turn this expertise into assisting you.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
How Do You Show Liability for a Dog Bite in Yuma?
If you are the victim of an animal attack, your Yuma dog bite attorney may need to show that:
- The dog bite caused your injury.
- You were attacked in a public setting or as a legally present guest on private property.
If the above facts hold true for your case, you may be able to file a claim against the dog’s owner. However, some exceptions exist where a dog owner may not be at fault for a dog bite injury.
What Are Exceptions to Owner Liability for Dog Bite Cases?
Dog owners are not liable if an animal attack lawyer can prove that a reasonable person would believe the victim’s actions provoked the dog to attack and that it would not have bitten that person otherwise. So, for example, the court could consider a dog provoked if the person threw rocks at it.
Another exception involves bringing an action for damages against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work. You may not sue if the bite occurred while the dog was defending itself from harassing or provoking acts while assisting an agency employee.
Your Yuma dog bite lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury and protect your right to seek the compensation you deserve from the dog’s owner or handler.
How Does Common-Law Negligence Influence Dog Bite Cases?
The court may also compensate dog bite victims under common law negligence, such as having a “dog at large.” This law applies if a dog was not sufficiently and legally fenced in, leashed, or contained.
You could seek damages under common law negligence if you visited a property with an unleashed dog and it subsequently attacked you.
There may also be other local or community-based and homeowner association ordinances that a dog owner violated. Again, your dog bite lawyer in Yuma can fight to make sure the liable party claims responsibility for violating all relevant regulations.
Can You Sue Someone for a Dog Bite in Yuma?
In many cases, you have the legal right to file a lawsuit against a dog owner if their animal attacks you in Yuma, AZ. Filing a lawsuit gives you a chance to take your case to court, where a judge and jury determine the outcome of your claim.
While you can sue in Yuma in many cases, your dog bite lawyer may suggest different options in some situations. For example, you may choose to settle with the insurance company after a period of negotiations.
Your Yuma dog bite attorney can negotiate on your behalf, reviewing all settlement offers to ensure that the deal covers all your economic and non-economic losses.
Can You Settle a Dog Bite Claim Without a Lawyer?
Insurance agents often try to get individuals to settle a dog bite claim without contacting a lawyer. However, these individuals are generally more concerned with protecting their company’s bottom line than your well-being.
In fact, the professionals generally recommend that you do not speak with insurance representatives without a lawyer. These representatives may try to downplay the severity of your injuries to reduce your compensation.
Allow a lawyer to stand up for you after a dog attack. Avoid giving a recorded statement or taking fault for the attack before you reach out to an attorney for assistance and guidance.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Yuma?
Arizona has time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for taking legal action against the dog’s owner. Under AZ §12-541, you have one year from the time of the bite to file a claim in court.
You have a longer window when considering legal action under the common law negligence statute,AZ §12-542. For these cases, you must file within two years of the time of the attack.
We recommend that dog bite victims seek legal action as soon as possible to preserve their right to pursue the full measure of damages that may be available to them.
What Do Dog Bite Attorneys in Yuma Charge for Their Services?
Each Yuma dog bite attorney can set their own rates. Therefore, there is no fixed price for handling your dog attack claim. Many firms set their rates based on their experience and the size of the firm.
Many law firms handling dog bite cases charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay legal fees after they resolve your claim. You can learn more about our pricing strategies when you contact us for a risk-free consultation.
What Should You Do if a Dog Bites You in Yuma?
Anyone bitten by a dog should take steps to protect their health, report the incident, and gather and preserve evidence. Steps to take include:
- Getting away from the dog
- Seeking medical care
- Contacting the police
- Filing a report with the local animal control agency
- Getting information about the dog owner or caretaker
- Getting information from any witnesses
- Taking photographs of the dog, the property, and your injury
- Getting legal assistance
A Yuma dog bite lawyer can step in to provide you with clear advice about your legal steps. We’re standing up to assist you with your legal needs.
Get Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer in Yuma, AZ, Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in Arizona, you do not have to face the complicated process of seeking the recovery of your damages alone. A Yuma dog bite attorney at Zanes Law can help you secure funds to cover your losses.
Call us or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless and until we win for you.
Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
Free Case Evaluation form
Being attacked by a dog can cause painful and damaging physical and psychological injuries. If you or a loved one has been attacked and bitten by someone else’s dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical and rehabilitative expenses, reconstructive cosmetic plastic surgery, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs.
Fortunately, there is help available. The team at Zanes Law offers a free consultation to dog bite victims. We can help you understand your rights and determine the best approach to take to seek the compensation you deserve. We know Arizona law, the courts, the judges, and how to deal with insurance companies, and we can keep you from making costly mistakes.
Do not delay. If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog, call Zanes Law at (833)-629-7684 today for a free and confidential consultation to get started with your claim.
Proving Liability for Your Dog Bite Injury
Arizona has several laws that concern claims regarding dog bites and attacks. Your dog bite lawyer in Yuma, AZ, will ensure you follow the law by filing your claim against the dog’s owner within the state’s required time periods.
When it comes to dog bites, Arizona is a strict liability state. This means a dog’s owner is liable for any injuries and damages the dog causes, even if the owner was not negligent, did not know that the dog was vicious or about the attack, or if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
In some circumstances, there could be multiple people or entities that may be liable for a dog bite. For example, if someone who was not the owner was present and caring for the dog at the time you were attacked, that person can also be held liable, according to AZ § 11-1025.
If you are the victim of a dog bite attack, you only need to show that:
- Your injury was caused by the dog bite.
- You were attacked in a public setting or as a legally present guest on private property.
There are some exceptions where a dog owner may not be at fault for a dog bite injury. Dog owners are not liable if it can be proven that a reasonable person would believe the victim’s actions provoked the dog to attack and that it would not have bitten that person otherwise. For example, a dog would be considered to have been provoked if the person kept throwing rocks at it.
Another exception involves bringing an action for damages against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work. You may not sue if the bite occurred while the dog was defending itself from harassing or provoking act of assisting an employee of the agency.
Your dog bite lawyer in Yuma, AZ can investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury and protect your right to seek the compensation you deserve from the dog’s owner or handler.
Common-Law Negligence
Dog bite victims can also be compensated under common law negligence, such as having a “dog at large.” This means that the dog was not sufficiently and legally fenced in, leashed, or contained. If you were attacked on a property where the dog was off its leash, you could seek damages under common law negligence.
There may also be other local or community-based and homeowner association ordinances that may be violated. Your dog bite lawyer can fight to make sure the liable party claims responsibility for violating all relevant regulations.
Time Limits for Filing a Dog Bite Claim
Arizona has time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for taking legal action against the dog’s owner. Under the AZ § 12-541, you have one year from the time of the bite to file a claim in court. You have a longer window when considering legal action under the common law negligence statute, AZ § 12-542. For these cases, you must file within two years of the time of the attack.
We recommend that dog bite victims seek legal action as soon as possible to preserve their right to pursue the full measure of damages that may be available to them. Another reason to get started right away is to make it easier to connect your injuries to the accident if seemingly minor conditions become worse with time. It is important for anyone injured by a dog bite in Arizona to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Call Zanes Law at (833)-629-7684 today for a free and confidential consultation.
What to Do if Bitten
Anyone bitten by a dog should take steps to protect their health, report the incident, and gather and preserve evidence. This includes:
- Seeking medical care
- Contacting the police
- Filing a report with the local animal control agency
- Getting information about the dog owner and/or caretaker
- Getting information from any witnesses
- Taking photographs of the dog, the property, and your injury
- Getting legal assistance
Get Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer in Yuma, AZ, Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in Arizona, you do not have to face the complicated process of seeking the recovery of your damages alone. The dog bite lawyers at Zanes Law know what you are going through and have the resources to fight for the settlement you are entitled to.
Contact us today at (833)-629-7684 for a free and confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless and until we win for you.