I Was Bitten By My Neighbor’s Dog, What Now?

June 24, 2019 | Dog Bites

Most dog bite accidents occur in the victim’s home, or at the residence of a close friend or family member. But, what happens if you are bitten by a neighbor’s dog? It can be difficult to know what your rights are in this situation, and even if you are eligible to sue a neighbor for the accident, this can bring on the moral dilemma of whether or not you should sue your neighbor for damages. With so many challenging questions to answer, it can be overwhelming to even know where to begin with bringing a claim against the dog’s negligent owner – to ensure that the best results are produced for your case, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance for the situation.

Should I Sue My Neighbor If I’m Bitten By Their Dog?

If you are bitten by your neighbor’s dog, it can be challenging to decide if you should pursue a claim to recover damages for the harm and losses that you sustained – and furthermore, if you can legally file a claim against your neighbor for your dog bite injuries. Some states use strict liability when it comes to dog bite accidents, while others adhere to the “one-bite” or “one free bite” rule.

If someone is bitten by their neighbor’s dog in a state that uses strict liability for dog bite accidents, they are eligible to file a claim against their negligent neighbor if they can prove that the accident occurred without provocation of the dog (yelling, whistling, throwing things, attempting to touch the dog without permission) and that they weren’t trespassing on their neighbor’s property when the accident happened. If the injured person can prove both of these, their neighbor is liable to compensate the victim for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other unexpected expenses that stemmed from the accident.

Recovering compensation from a neighbor for dog bite injuries becomes a bit more complicated if your state has a “one bite rule” and doesn’t use strict liability when it comes to personal injury accidents. The “one bite rule” gives dog owners “one free pass” if their dog bites someone, but they weren’t aware of the dog’s propensity to be dangerous, and the injuries inflicted on the victim were “minor.” However, if the dog bite accident is severe, and the victim was critically injured in the accident, in most states that use a “one bite rule,” the rule is disregarded, and the victim is eligible to sue the dog’s owner for negligence.

What Should I Do If I’m Bitten By My Neighbor’s Dog?

If you are bitten by your neighbor’s dog, it’s essential to get treatment for your injuries and hire an experienced lawyer to represent your case. Suing a neighbor for damages can quickly become complicated, both from a legal and personal standpoint. From a personal standpoint, your neighbor could have more of a reason to retaliate and push back against your claim, and from a legal perspective, without adequate legal knowledge and experience negotiating for damages, it can be nearly impossible to recover full compensation for your injuries and financial losses from the other party.

Medical bills, medical accessories, and other expenses can quickly add up, and significantly increase the stress of an already traumatic situation. Hiring a lawyer to defend your case after your neighbor’s dog bites you alleviate some of the financial burdens of the situation and offers support when filing a claim against your neighbor for their dog’s actions. Your Dog Bite Lawyer will make sure that your claim is filed within your state’s dog bite statute, is supported by high-quality evidence, and that you are satisfied with the outcome of your case. Your lawyer has your case’s best interests at heart and will do everything in their power to ensure that you are taken care of, and confident in their ability to masterfully represent your dog bite claim.

Speak with a Dog Bite Lawyer Today

If you are feeling frightened and confused after being bitten by your neighbor’s dog, and are thinking, “what now?” you need a lawyer on your side representing your case. No one understands your state’s dog bite laws more, can protect you from the other party’s defense team better, or knows the best legal tactics to use to demand the best results for your case more than a dog bite lawyer.

If you are looking for a dog bite lawyer to represent your case, but don’t know where to begin with finding legal representation, the Dixon Injury Firm is ready to help. Christopher Dixon and the St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers at the Dixon Injury Firm are dedicated to offering aggressive legal representation, and fighting for the outcome you desire for your dog bite injuries. Chris Dixon has earned recognition as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” from the National Trial Lawyers Association and uses a contingency plan so that you won’t have to worry about paying for legal expenses until after the Dixon Injury Firm recovers compensation for your case.

If you are ready to speak with our experienced Dog Bite Lawyers in St. Louis about your case, call (314) 208-2808 or contact the Dixon Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation, and get personalized legal advice for your dog bite case.