Yes, you may be eligible to bring legal action against a dog owner whose dog injured you when you lost control of your bike. Dogs make excellent pets, but they need proper handling and training, particularly big dogs. Owners must be capable of controlling their dogs to avoid injuring others. Dogs don’t also have to be vicious or aggressive to injure others.
Even overly excitable dogs can hurt others without meaning to. In such cases, the dog owner may be held responsible for the injuries and related damages.
Dog Bites Are Not The Only Injuries Dogs Can Inflict
People can sustain personal injuries from more than just dog bites. Excited dogs can jump you and knock you over, causing bruising, sprains, or bone fractures. A dog can also chase after you while you’re walking or biking, leaving you injured. Unfortunately, kids have an increased risk of injury from dog attacks because they are easily startled, which can cause them to fall or run into traffic. Their small size also means that even small dogs can significantly injure them.
Such injuries can lead to severe damage and costly medical bills. These injuries typically include nerve damage, broken bones, facial injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe sprains, and spinal cord injuries.
Legal Options for Recovering Compensation for Dog Attacks
Under the dog bite statute of Florida, dog owners can be held liable for injuries their dogs cause if the following are true:
- The dog bites another individual, and
- The individual is in a public area or legally in a private area, including the dog owner’s property.
This statute exclusively covers dog bites. But if a dog injured you in any way, you may hold the owner liable if you can prove that negligence on the owner’s part resulted in your injury. For example, losing control of your bike and getting injured because the owner failed to properly restrain their dog and the dog chased you.
If you are considering holding the dog owner liable for your injuries and dog attack-related damages, you have two options:
- File an insurance claim with the dog owner’s insurance provider and negotiate a fair settlement for your losses. But this option is only viable if the provisions of the dog owner’s renter’s homeowner’s or other insurance coverage apply to injuries caused by their dog.
- File a claim in court against the dog owner. Any applicable insurance coverage will likewise cover the award you receive in court if you win your case. It’s also important to remember that your case can settle at any time, even before or during the trial.
Seek Legal Guidance From an Experienced Boynton Beach Personal Injury Attorney Now
Whether you have been bitten by a dog or attacked by one and suffered injuries, speak to our Boynton Beach personal injury attorney to learn how the local laws apply to your specific situation. Reach out to Demand The Limits today and schedule your free case evaluation with our Boynton Beach personal injury attorney by calling 561-600-3555 or reaching us online.
