Dog Bite Injury Questions

chained dog

When a person suffers dog bite injuries, there are so many questions — everything may seem uncertain. Who’s responsible for my injuries? Do I have a case? How do I prove the dog owner was liable? What’s the legal process, and do I need a lawyer?

At Edgar Snyder & Associates, our dog bite lawyers know you have questions. We’re here to give you answers. To find out if you have a case, contact our Pennsylvania law firm today for a no obligation, free legal evaluation.

Answers to Common Dog Bite Legal Questions

What do I do if I’ve been bitten by a dog?
To protect your rights and your health, follow these steps if you suffer dog bite injuries from a dog:

Contact emergency medical services or head to a hospital immediately after your dog bite accident occurs. A doctor should inspect your dog bite wounds very carefully. Even small cuts and bruises have the potential to cause an infection or other complications. Documenting your injuries is important for your dog bite claim.
Preserve as much evidence as you can. Take photos of the clothes you wore (especially of tears or shreds), your injuries, where the attack occurred, etc. Also, if you had problems with this dog or the dog owner before – such as if the dog was aggressive or roamed without a leash – keep any records you have documenting them.
Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free case review of your dog bite claim. Our experienced dog bite lawyers have helped hundreds of people get the money they needed to pay their medical bills and make up for missed work time, as well as get them compensation for their pain and suffering.

What types of dangerous dog breeds exist?
Many of these dogs never pose a threat to people, but they are known to have the potential to be dangerous:

Who is responsible for my dog bite injuries?
Dog owners are responsible for controlling their dogs, which means they must follow the leash laws and dog bite laws for their state, and any places they visit. A person who allows their dog to run without a leash, or who owns a dog that attacks another person, may be liable for medical expenses and pain and suffering. A person who owns a dangerous dog may also face criminal penalties, including prison time and fines. Every state’s dog leash law and dog bite law is different, so be sure to know the laws for your state. Our dog bite lawyers can help if you’ve been injured by a dangerous dog.

What compensation can I collect for a dog bite?
You may be able to collect compensation for medical expenses, lost wages (if you had to miss work), pain and suffering, and scars. Our dog bite attorneys at the Pennsylvania law firm of Edgar Snyder & Associates can help you get the money you deserve.

What if the dog owner is a family member or friend?
The truth is that many dog bites happen at a friend’s house or in family member’s home. Many people worry about suing someone they care about, but they still want to get compensation for medical bills. Our Pennsylvania dog bite lawyers understand your concerns and can help.

You may be relieved to know that we usually file a dog bite claim against the insurance company that provides renters’ or homeowners’ coverage – not the dog owner.

What is the dog bite law for Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a dog owner is responsible for all damages when their dog attacks a person and severely injures them (broken bones, disfiguring cuts and bruises, scars, and other injuries that require cosmetic surgery). Or, an owner is responsible if their dog has been considered dangerous previously, and it attacks a person. Dog bite victims also can recover full compensation if the dog owner was negligent in some way or fails to follow the state dog laws, including the leash law. Our Pennsylvania dog bite attorneys have seen all types of dog attack cases and have experience helping victims and their families during this stressful time.

If the dog hasn’t bitten before, two things can happen:

If the victim’s dog attack injuries are severe, he or she can make a claim against the dog owner for medical expenses, as well as other losses and legal damages.
A dog bite victim who was not severely injured can make a claim for medical expenses.

What if another person’s dog attacks my dog?
If another person’s dog attacks your dog, you may want the owner to pay the veterinary bills. However, our Pennsylvania attorneys at Edgar Snyder & Associates only handle dog bite cases and dog attack lawsuits where people or children are injured. Learn more about your legal rights if a dog attacks your dog.

What will happen to the dog who attacked me or my child?
Once again, this depends on the state’s laws. Usually, the dog owner will have to report the attack to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement or State Dog Warden, as well as the local police department. The dog will be placed on a list of “dangerous dogs” or “potentially dangerous dogs.” The owner has to notify the Bureau as well if they sell or give away the dog, and provide contact info for the new owner. In severe cases and when the dog is a threat to people, officers may impound the dog or put it down.

Dog Bite Articles From Our Attorneys

Have More Questions? Dog Bite Injuries? Get a Free Legal Evaluation Today

If you were injured in a dog attack, you may need a dog bite lawyer. Medical bills and missed paychecks add up quickly, so there’s no time to waste. Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage for a free legal evaluation. If you haven’t found the answers to your dog bite legal questions on this page, contact us any time — day or night — and we’ll help you. Our dog bite lawyers have over 30 years of experience helping dog bite victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today.