What To Do If You Were Attacked By A Dog In Santa Maria

What To Do After A Dog Attack in Santa Maria

If you have been attacked by a dog in Santa Maria, CA, you need to find a qualified dog bite lawyer. A dog’s teeth are very sharp and can inflict deep puncture wounds that are hard to heal and can easily get infected if the victim is not immediately cared for by a medical doctor. Dog bites can also result in abrasions and lacerations. These too need immediate medical attention or they can get infected. In many cases, the wound(s) may need stitches to ensure the wound heals properly. A dog also has a very powerful force in their jaws as they bite down. In fact, in some cases, the force of a dog bite is so powerful it can crush bones. When dogs attack, they often bite face of a person. This can lead to serious disfigurement and very noticeable scarring. If you or someone you know has been attacked by a dog, finding the the right dog bite attorney in Santa Maria is critically important.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Besides medical expenses, dog bite victims may have to take time off work and/or need to pay someone to watch their children. They also usually endure various other forms of pain and suffering as a result of a dog attack. No one should underestimate the emotional trauma that can result from a dog attack. This is particularly true in cases involving children. In such cases, the young victim can literally be emotionally scarred for life if they do not receive the proper professional counseling. Adults may need counseling too, depending on their personal history and the nature of the attack.

Dog Attack Injury Statistics

According to the United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year! However, only 17 percent (800,000) of these victims seek medical attention, even though a much higher percentage of victims should get medical attention. Only 8 percent of all dog bite victims go to the emergency room, even though many more should. The CDC further reports that an average of 16 dog bites per year result in death in the United States. However, other sources of statistics indicate this number may be more on the order of 30 deaths per year due to dog bites.

Statistically Dangerous Dog Breeds

Some dog breeds are more prone to attacking humans than other breeds. According to a scientific survey published in 2000 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), Pit Bulls and Rottweilers accounted for 67 percent of the dog bite related fatalities. These breeds are also far more likely to have been the attacker in non-lethal dog bites, many resulting in serious injuries.
Even though some dog breeds have a tendency to attack people more than other breeds, you should not be lulled into believing that some dog breeds aren’t capable of attacking. Even smaller breeds that have a reputation for being friendly have been known to attack people. One of the most horrifying examples of this occurred in California in 2000 when a Pomeranian killed a newborn baby while her caretaker was right in the next room! Any dog of any breed or mix is potentially dangerous under certain circumstances if the dog is not carefully supervised, restrained, or trained properly.

Here Are A Few More Interesting Dog Attack Statistics:

• The victim of 60 percent of all dog attacks are children!
• 77 percent of all dog bites are in the face.
• According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), dog bites are the fifth most common reason people go to the emergency room!
• According to the United States Postal Service, an average of 2,851 mail carriers are attacked by dogs each year.
• Approximately 70 percent of all dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, home or business.
• $165 million a year is spent in the United States on medical treatment for dog attacks.
• Pit Bulls and Rottweilers attack far more frequently than do domesticated wolf hybrids.
• According to annual dog bite statistics, after Pit Bulls and Rottweilers, German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes are the next most likely dogs to attack.

California Law On Dog Bites

California dog attack law dictates that a dog owner is responsible for all damages caused by their dog. This certainly includes damages that occur when their dog bites someone on public property such as a park or a city sidewalk or at a business establishment open to the public. However, many people do not realize it but this also includes damages the dog may inflict on a person when that person is a guest on private private property. For example, if you are invited to a party at a private house, i.e. you have permission to be at that house for a specified time and event, and a dog that lives there bites you, you are entitled to compensation due to injuries you incur due to that bite. In this specific case, the owner of the dog should have had the dog restrained and/or should have been supervising the dog’s actions more closely. Dog bite laws in California are generally straightforward, unless the owner of the dog and the owner of the residence where the dog resides are different. In which case, a skilled dog bite lawyer will need to explain the legal nuances. Further, if a you are injured by a dog bite at work, it is imperative that you speak with a Santa Maria dog attack lawyer.

Unfortunately, Santa Maria dog bite cases are on the rise. It is also a sad reality that in most dog attack cases, the victim does not seek compensation. Some victims are embarrassed by the fact that they were bitten. Other dog bite victims may not fully understand that they are entitled to compensation for the personal injuries they receive. If the victim knows the dog and/or the dog owner, he or she may feel awkward about making a formal legal claim. However, in many cases, the dog owner’s home insurance or renter’s insurance will cover the expenses. Even when it won’t, the burden of these personal expenses should not reside on the victim. A Santa Maria CA dog bite attorney will be able to explain California animal attack law and seek proper compensation for your case.

What To Do If Attacked by a Dog – Speak With a Santa Maria Lawyer

If you are attacked by a dog, the very first thing you should do is contact a Santa Maria dog bite lawyer. You should pick an attorney you feel comfortable with and one that has specifically handled dog attack cases with a high rate of success. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and make certain you are fairly compensated. Most dog attack cases settle without the victim having to go to court. You should also get medical attention as soon as possible. This usually means immediately going to the emergency room. You will need to have your case medically documented, and if you don’t get your wounds attended to immediately by professionals, your injuries could get worse. Find the best Santa Maria CA dog bite attorney for your case to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Santa Maria Dog Attack Attorneys

The May Firm has handled many dog attack cases in Santa Maria and in other locations in California, especially along the central coast. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients. We can also help make the situation less stressful than you having to handle it all on your own. Our phone number is (805) 980-7758. Contact The May Firm, the initial case consultation is free. If we accept your case, our Santa Maria dog attack attorneys do not charge anything unless we settle your dog attack injury case or win it in court.