Villa Park Dog Bite Attorneys

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but even the most loveable mutt can turn into a ferocious beast without provocation. Whether it’s the breed, how the dog was raised, or just a moment of bloodlust, dogs attack and injure thousands of people in the U.S. every year. If you were injured in an animal attack, turn to our Villa Park dog bite attorneys. From animal attacks to car wrecks to slip and falls, our lawyers have decades of combined experience overseeing personal injury cases in Villa Park and the rest of the state. During this time, we’ve helped our clients obtain millions of dollars in settlements and awards. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to find out more about our free case evaluations.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Obtaining a Financial Award?

From trips to the doctor to the minute-by-minute challenges of recovery, there’s no shortage of things to do in the wake of an animal attack. Understandably, the prospect of adding another task to your overburdened “to do” list isn’t your top priority. However, the sooner you start working on your personal injury claim, the sooner you may obtain the compensation you need to get life back on track. At HPIL, you can hand over the reins to our Villa Park dog bite attorneys. We can help handle the logistics of your case giving you the time and space to focus on your recovery and take steps to protect your claim. Here are a few ways you can help safeguard your dog bite case:

• Preserve Any Evidence You Have Collected: At first glance, some evidence may not seem important. However, even a lone receipt or off-hand comment by an eyewitness could play a critical role in your fight for a fair settlement. You should take steps to compile and preserve all evidence you’ve collected thus far. This can include photographs taken at the accident scene, copies of financial documents, or the official police accident report.
• Let Your Lawyer Handle Correspondence with the Claims Adjuster: Once you’ve hired a personal injury attorney, you won’t have to worry about fielding calls from the insurance company. A lawyer will handle the logistics of your case such as responding to requests for documentation, compiling evidence, and overseeing settlement negotiations. As the insurer might be looking for evidence that could be used to dispute aspects of your case, providing a recorded statement to the claims adjuster could lead to complications. For instance, if you inadvertently admit that you provoked the animal attack, your comments could be used to dispute liability.
• Write an Account of the Attack: While you may think the animal attack will be burned into your mind forever, even these traumatic memories will fade over time. As such, your attorney may recommend writing an account of the animal attack to ensure that you don’t forget important details that could help build your claim. Was the animal restrained? What did the dog’s owner say immediately after the attack? Did you notice any surveillance cameras in the area? The answers to these questions could help your attorney identify any outstanding evidence that still must be gathered.

What Role Might an Expert Witness Play in My Animal Attack Case?

Even if you do not bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party, your attorney may still call on expert witnesses to help build your claim, prove liability, and estimate the value of your damages. For instance, if you were unable to work in the aftermath of the animal attack, a vocational expert could help approximate the value of lost earnings. A medical specialist could give insight into the pain and suffering you’re experiencing and the medical costs you’re likely to incur in the future. At HPIL, our lawyers work with highly qualified expert witnesses across a range of disciplines who have extensive experience providing deposition and testimony during litigation and trial. Below are a few examples of expert witnesses who might play a role in your case:

• Canine Behavior Experts: These experts have spent their careers researching canine behavior. Typically, they can provide insight into how certain breeds behave, whether the dog was trained to be dangerous, and whether the owner should’ve known that their animal posed a threat to others. Establishing fault in a dog bite case is crucial to achieving a successful outcome. If, for example, it can be shown that the owner deliberately trained their animal to be violent, you may have grounds for a convincing case.
• Vocational Experts: If you are pursuing compensation for lost earnings, the insurer may argue that you were able to return to work as your condition does not impede your ability to perform work tasks. To counter such disputes, your lawyer may call on a vocational expert to provide deposition regarding how your injuries make it difficult for you to fulfil your job responsibilities.
• Medical Experts: Besides helping your dog bite attorney estimate fair compensation for your medical bills, a medical expert can also provide deposition or testimony regarding the extent of your injuries and the long-term impacts of your condition.

Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Speak to a Villa Park Dog Bite Attorney

We are available day and night, seven days a week. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or tap through to our Contact Form to book your free case review.