Dog Bite Lawyer Edwardsville

Getting bit by a dog with no provocation can be scary and traumatizing. When you are bit by a dog you can suffer from severe pain and be at risk of a bacterial infection. Dog bites can range from minor scratches to deep puncture wounds. In some cases you may even have crushed bones. After your encounter with a dangerous dog, you should speak to an attorney.

Dog bite lawyers make sure you are compensated if you were not at fault for your dog bite injury. The dog’s owner is liable for any damages that their pet causes, whether or not the dog was typically calm. To get help today, contact Hipskind & McAninch LLC now for a free consultation. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit? 

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. If you don’t file within this time frame, you may lose your right to sue.

What Steps Should I Take If I’m Involved in a Dog Bite in Edwardsville? 

If you’re involved in a dog bite, there are a few steps you should take. Do the following steps to prepare for your dog bite claim.

Medical Treatment

Seek medical attention if you received any scratches, bite marks, or other injuries. As soon as you’ve been attacked by a dog, you should see a doctor. They can perform imaging scans to identify if you have any hidden fractures or broken bones. Additionally, your doctor will perform a blood test to see if you were infected by the dog’s bite. Dogs carry a host of bacteria in their mouths and not all owners get a rabies shot for their pet. 

Gather Evidence

Take enough photos of the injuries to show how badly you’ve been hurt. It is a good idea to take videos of the attack or ask someone to get it on camera. Gather eyewitness’ contact information so that your attorney can retrieve statements from them at a later date. 
Get Contact Information

You need to write down the name and number of the dog owner so your attorney can get a hold of them. Your lawyer won’t have to waste time hunting them down or going through the police to find out how to get in touch with the owner later on. 

Speak to Dog Bite Personal Injury Attorney

Contact a dog bite lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner and can guide you through the process. Dog bite attorneys are on your side and will do their best to help you get compensated for any serious injuries you received because of an animal bite.

What Does an Attorney Do After I Experience a Dog Bite?

An attorney who specializes in dog bite cases will do a few things after you experience a dog bite. They perform a variety of tasks for their dog bite clients. This includes the following. 

File Settlement Claim or Lawsuit

Your dog bite lawyer will help you file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. The lawyer will also guide you through the process and will provide support throughout the litigation.

Investigation

After you experience a dog bite injury, your personal injury lawyer will find out more information about how the dog bite injury occurred. If you were attacked near a surveillance camera, they’ll try to get the video footage. They reach out to eyewitnesses and review your medical bills. Using as much evidence as possible, they’ll file a dog bite claim requesting fair compensation.

Estimation of Damages

Your dog bite lawyer in Edwardsville will be able to help you receive compensation for your injuries. They estimate the damages caused by your dog bite injury so that you can recover from your wounds. This includes medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages you may have experienced due to dog bites.

Common Dog Bite Injuries After an Attack

Animal attacks can cause a wide range of serious injuries that require immediate medical care. After your dog attack incident, you may have any of the following injuries:

Cuts and Lacerations 

The dog may have scratched you with their nails or shoved you to the ground. 

Bruises and Welts 

You may have been badly bruised by the dog’s attacks, especially if it grabbed ahold of you. 

Broken Bones 

Some dogs have a bite force that can crush bones. You also could have fallen badly and have broken bones after landing on the concrete. 

Scarring 

Dog bites can leave awful scars on your skin that take years to disappear. Disfiguration can impact your confidence and make you suffer emotionally. 

Psychological Trauma 

After a negative encounter with a dog, you might suffer from psychological trauma that causes you to have anxiety around dogs. Even safe dogs can trigger PTSD because of your dog bite attack.

Puncture Wounds 

Dog bites can leave awful puncture wounds that pierce deep into your skin and muscle tissue. 

Infections 

Sometimes dog bites can result in nasty infections. You may need antibiotics after you were attacked.

Reasons a Dog Owner is Not Liable

In most cases, the dog’s owner is liable for a dog bite injury due to the strict liability law. This is because the owner is typically responsible for controlling and restraining the dog. If the owner fails to do so and the dog injures someone, the owner can be held liable. The dog owner is liable for a dog bite injury if the owner fails to restrain or control the dog. This includes keeping the dog on a leash or in a fenced-in area. If the dog escapes and bites someone, the owner can be held liable.

There are a few exceptions to this, and you may be liable for your own dog bite injuries. For example:

You Were Trespassing

If you were in a location without a good reason and got attacked by someone’s dog, you may be considered a trespasser. For example, you may have been trekking across private property or visiting a business after hours. When this is the case, you’ll be held liable for the injuries you suffered because of the dog.

You Were Provoking the Dog

Teasing the dog before it attacks you can be another reason why your attorney won’t be able to get compensation for you. If you were provoking the dog beforehand, you can be held responsible for your own injuries.

Speak to a Dog Bite Attorney Now

If you’ve been injured in a dog bite attack, contact an attorney to discuss your case. An attorney will be able to help you file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner and can guide you through the process. Dog bite attacks shouldn’t be ignored and can be deeply traumatic and painful. After you receive medical care, talk to an attorney as soon as possible. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay until you receive your settlement. We will help you file a personal injury claim using our experience in dog bite accidents. Contact Hipskind & McAninch LLC today for a free consultation.