Dog Bite Lawyer Expertise: Fight for Justice
In need of an experienced dog bite lawyer? Get comprehensive legal help today. Contact our expert team to secure your rights and compensation now!
As adorable and affectionate as dogs are, they can be fiercely loyal and protective. Such traits can lead to them biting other animals and even people.
Indeed, dog bite incidents are so common in the United States. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says about 4.5 million people sustain dog bites yearly.
If you or a loved one in Oklahoma has sustained injuries due to someone else’s dog, you may be able to seek compensation. A highly experienced dog bite lawyer can help throughout the entire process.
So, join our legal experts at BDIW, Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, and Wicker, our Oklahoma law firm, as we share insights about hiring a dog bite attorney in this guide.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help?
As the term suggests, a dog bite lawyer is a personal injury lawyer for dog attacks. One of their primary goals is to provide legal help for dog bites and assist you in navigating the judicial process.
Your dog attack attorney will use their knowledge and expertise to determine the compensation for dog bites. With their help, you’ll be more likely to secure a fair amount from the responsible party.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYWhen Should You Hire a Dog Attack Lawyer?
If you’re unsure about hiring a dog bite lawyer in Oklahoma, know that reputable personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Take advantage of this complimentary assessment, where you can speak with a prospective lawyer who will:
- Listen to your story (including what happened before, during, and after the dog bite)
- Gauge if the “defendant” (in this case, the dog owner) is liable for the attack
- Calculate the “damages” (the monetary compensation that you may receive from the defendant) you could potentially pursue
It’s even more crucial to enlist the services of a highly experienced dog bite lawyer in the following scenarios.
Severe Injuries
According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, severe injuries caused by dog bites may include:
- Open bite wounds on the face
- Heavy bleeding from the injuries
- Fractures or broken bones
Dogs that haven’t received vaccination may also carry and transmit viruses that cause rabies (Lyssavirus), a dangerous, even potentially fatal disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). As the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases explains, while rabies from domesticated animals like dogs and cats is less common than in wildlife, it still causes about 10% of rabies cases in the United States.
So, if you sustained any of the severe injuries mentioned above or suspect the animal that bit you has incomplete or no vaccinations, please seek medical attention immediately. Then, contact a dog attack attorney as soon as possible to assist you with filing a compensation claim.
Please note that while hospital fees in Oklahoma are lower than in other states, the daily in-patient stay still averages $2,379, as reported by NCH Stats. So, the more severe your dog bite injuries are, the more expensive your potential treatment costs can be. With the help of a highly experienced dog bite attorney, though, they can help you recover compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Uncooperative Dog Owner
Most dog bite cases in Oklahoma fall under strict liability (Title 4, Section 42.1 of the Oklahoma Statutes). Strict liability means that dog owners are legally responsible and liable if their animal:
- Attacks
- Bites
- Causes damage (e.g., property damage)
Part of a dog owner’s liability is to pay the medical bills and damages of the person that their animal injured and harmed. Usually, the animal owner’s homeowner’s insurer covers these expenses.
Unfortunately, not all dog owners are “responsible” and may not want to cooperate when their pet bites someone. They may do this because their home insurance premiums can increase if they file a dog bite claim.
Regardless of why the pet owner is uncooperative, don’t let them get away with it. Consult a dog attack lawyer immediately to get help with your personal injury claim.
What Should You Look for in a Dog Bite Lawyer?
When choosing a personal injury attorney, look for someone who meets the following conditions:
- Experience as a personal injury attorney, specifically with dog attacks
- Excellent reputation and track record
- Charges reasonable lawyer fees
Here’s a more detailed breakdown to help you choose the right lawyer.
Experience and Specialization
Personal injury lawyers in Oklahoma handle various types of tort cases, from car and truck accident injuries to animal attacks. For this reason, you must choose an attorney with extensive experience in dog bite cases, especially those similar to yours.
You should also look into the lawyer’s trial experience. If your case has to go to trial, you want your attorney to have adequate court experience and be able to present a strong case to a jury.
Reputation and Track Record
Do your due diligence and research each of your prospective dog bite lawyers, especially their complaints and service history. One way to do this in Oklahoma is by checking with the Oklahoma Bar Association. They investigate complaints about lawyers and prosecute those who’ve committed ethical and practice violations.
You can also check reputable attorney review sites like:
- Avvo
- Lawyers.com
- Martindale-Hubbell
The above websites have previous client reviews and peer endorsements. They can give valuable insights into your prospective attorney’s expertise, skills, and actions.
Reasonable Lawyer Fees and Payment Options
The best and most reliable dog attack lawyers often charge contingency fees. With this payment structure, you won’t have to pay your attorney anything unless they win your case.
Hire BDIW as Your Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or someone you care about sustained injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering due to someone else’s dog, it’s your right to seek damages. With a highly experienced dog bite lawyer on your team, you can rest assured that you’ll get the legal help and advice you need to increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Let our Oklahoma law firm, BDIW, Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, and Wicker, fight for your or your loved one’s rights as a dog attack victim. Our highly experienced attorneys bring over 65 years of combined expertise, knowledge, and skills in successfully handling injury claims. With us on your team, we’ll do everything possible to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us today so we can get started with your free case consultation.
