Lynchburg Dog Bite Lawyer
For over three decades our family has fought to protect the rights of our clients throughout the state of Virginia after a dog bite accident case or injury. Our long tradition of hard work and commitment to fighting and winning for our clients began in 1982 and continues to this day. For many injury victims the accident itself is only the beginning of the physical and emotional hardships they experience. As one of Virginia’s leading personal Injury law firms we are well-resourced to handle dangerous dogs and leash law cases and have decades of experience to help guide you throughout the legal process as we seek the compensation you and your family deserve.
Virginia’s One Bite Law
While many states have laws with “strict liability” for dog bites, Virginia is not one of them. Instead, it is one of the states that still follows the “one bite” rule. What this means for dog bite victims is that in order to recover compensation for injuries and damages, they must show that the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous or aggressive. The lawyers at Trost Law Group are well-versed in this law and have decades of experience representing dog bite victims in the state of Virginia.
Understanding Your Rights
Virginia’s “Negligence Per Se” rule for dog injuries requires dog owners to use “reasonable care” in restraining and controlling their dogs, whether or not the owner knows the dog is dangerous. Virginia law allows those injured by dogs to seek damages by bringing a claim if they can demonstrate that the injury resulted from the owner’s failure to use reasonable care to restrain or handle the dog and should be held liable. Damages you may recover:
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages
- Medical expenses
FAQ
What Should I Do?
In Virginia, there are strict timelines for filing a lawsuit in personal injury cases, including dog bite and dog-related injury cases. An injured person has two years to file a claim after an injury has occurred, which is referred to as the “statute of limitations”. If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, here are some guidelines to follow to seek help for your injuries and protect your potential claim.
Seek Medical Attention
After any dog attack incident you should seek immediate medical attention.
Contact Law Enforcement and Animal Control
It is important to document the incident with law enforcement and animal control. If your injuries prevent you from calling, have a friend or family member call on your behalf.
Write Down Details of the Incident
It is important to record as much as you remember about the incident, including date and time, location, description of the animal and any potential witnesses
Take Photographs of Your Injuries
Photographs of your injuries taken by medical professionals or family can prove invaluable to your claim.
Dogs Most Likely to Bite
In 2017, there were over 90 million dogs in the United States. Of the 4.7 million dog bites that occur annually, 81% cause minor or no injuries that don’t require medical attention. Additionally, most dog bites involve dogs that are not spayed or neutered. The most dangerous breeds of dogs kept as pets most likely to attack in the United States are: Pit Bull, Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Akita and Bull Mastiff.