Whether the animal is scared, stressed, or downright rabid, there are many reasons a dog will attack someone. Ultimately, it’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their pet doesn’t pose a danger to others. As such, if you were the victim of an animal attack, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages by filing a personal injury claim. The Artesia dog bite attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. 

From investigating the attack and compiling the necessary evidence to support your claim to guiding you through proceedings, when you hire one of our attorneys, we will be with you every step of the way. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to discuss your case with an animal attack lawyer.  

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Assist with My Case? 

If you were attacked by a dog, you may be wondering whether you need to hire a lawyer to assist with your personal injury claim. While, technically, it’s possible to seek damages on your own, it’s easy to overlook critical evidence and commit other errors that will cost you a fair settlement.  

A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer understands what it takes to build a convincing case, and can assist you with gathering evidence, assessing your damages, and help with other aspects of your claim. Here is what our legal team could do for you: 

• Conduct a Thorough Investigation: Your lawyer can help you start building your case by conducting an in-depth investigation into the attack. As part of his or her investigation, your attorney may review official police reports, interview eyewitnesses, and compile video footage and photographs of the scene. 

• Handle Correspondence with Opposing Parties: During proceedings, your attorney can oversee all dialogue with the insurance adjuster and other opposing parties. As such, you won’t have to worry about saying something that might jeopardize your claim. 

• Track Your Damages: In California, you can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. However, to receive a payout, you will need to provide proof of such losses. If you share any associated receipts, bills, invoices, paystubs, and other financial documents with your attorney, he or she can help keep track of your losses for you. Your legal team can also consult with various expert witnesses if necessary to help estimate the value of your damages.  

• Oversee Negotiations: A personal injury attorney can handle all negotiations on your behalf, representing you throughout proceedings. If the insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement—or denies your claim—your lawyer can help you take legal action.  

How Long Will My Case Take? 

Suffering a serious injury is enough to threaten the average person’s financial well-being. Even if you have adequate health insurance, you may still incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses over the course of your recovery. From lost earnings to home modifications, the costs associated with a vicious dog attack can add up at a rapid rate. 

If you are filing a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your losses, you may be wondering how long this process will take. Unfortunately, since every dog bite scenario is unique, it’s not possible to guarantee a specific outcome for your case. 

However, a knowledgeable attorney can still evaluate the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine what kinds of factors might affect the timeline of your case. Let’s look at some of these factors below: 

• The Complexity of Your Case: Whether there are multiple liable parties, or you suffered a catastrophic injury that will require long-term care, there are many factors that can turn a seemingly simple claim into a prolonged legal battle.  

• The Severity of Your Injuries: Until you’ve achieved maximum medical improvement – the point in your recovery that your condition will not improve with further treatment – you can’t be sure of the full extent of your damages. As such, you should not accept a settlement offer until this date. If you suffered a catastrophic injury, for example, this may mean you will have to wait several months before you can resolve your claim. 

• The Mistakes You’ve Made: From providing a recorded statement to posting about the animal attack on social media, there are many errors that could lead to disputes and delays. As such, you need to consider your actions carefully as even a minor mistake could add months to the timeline of your case as your attorney works to counter such disputes. 

Speak to a Dog Bite Attorney in Artesia Today 

A dog’s teeth can tear through skin, tissue, and muscle causing permanent scarring and disfigurement. If you were the victim of an animal attack, you may have incurred thousands of dollars in medical expenses and other losses. At HPIL, we can assess your situation, answer your questions, and discuss how we might proceed with your claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or switch to our Online Contact Page to lock in a free case assessment with an Artesia dog bite attorney.