All dogs can bite, regardless of age, sex, breed, size, or temperament. However, when a dog bites someone, it is usually a reaction to something, such as:

While any dog can bite, certain dog breeds are more frequent biters. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) , the breeds that bite the most are:

Studies show that pit bulldog breeds bite the most and cause the worst damage to victims. Similarly, mixed breeds, German shepherds, terriers, and rottweilers are frequent biters but cause moderate damage compared to pit bull breeds.

However, small dogs can also bite, including:

Dog bite injuries can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Typical dog bite injuries include:

Any dog attack can be panic inducing, but you must keep a level head and follow these steps:

The owner is usually the one held liable if their dog bites someone. However, the owner’s liability may depend on the case’s specifics.

Nevertheless, many states hold dog owners liable for their dog’s actions regardless of whether they were aware of their pet’s tendency to bite or become aggressive.

Dog bite victims must prove the liability of the owners or caretakers to successfully file a legal claim. Several factors can affect the liability of a dog owner, including:

A dog owner might not be liable if the injured victim was trespassing on the owner’s private property when a dog bit them. However, exceptions apply to some dog bite cases, such as when the victim is a child.

When a dog attacks after someone provokes it, its owner may not be liable for the dog bite victim’s injuries. Acts of provocation may include teasing, yelling, touching, or throwing objects at a dog.

Dog owners could be liable for dog bite injuries if the injury resulted from negligence or recklessness, such as failure to comply with leash laws. To prove negligence, dog bite victims must show that the owner’s failure to follow regulations or control their dogs directly resulted in their injuries.

Most states follow the strict liability rule regarding animal attacks. This rule states that the owner is responsible if the attack occurred where the victim was legally allowed to be. However, this rule has some exceptions, such as bites involving police and military dogs.

Some states follow the one-bite rule, which says the owner is liable if they should have known that the animal might act violently or dangerously. This theory revolves around the idea that an animal gets one free bite, and afterward, the owner is aware of and responsible for the animal’s violent tendencies.

The application of this rule varies from state to state. But, in general, someone will be held liable for the attack if the victim can show that:

Apart from bites, this theory of liability can also apply to other types of harm, such as when an animal knocks over a small child. It may also apply to the first time an animal bites a person if its harmful tendencies were otherwise apparent, e.g., the dog was a guard dog.

Our personal injury lawyers will help you seek justice regardless of the liability theory your state follows.

Were you or a loved one a victim of a vicious dog bite? If so, you could be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries. First, you must file a personal injury claim with the help of a dog bite attorney.

Some victims of dog bites handle their cases without legal help. However, dog bite laws can be confusing, and it’s best to have a dog bite attorney to help you negotiate a fair settlement.

A dog bite lawyer can help you:

By filing a dog bite claim, you could recover financial compensation for the following losses:

Your personal injury lawyer will estimate the value of your settlement based on these damages during your free case evaluation.

Proving the liability of the dog’s owner requires substantial evidence. Your dog bite injury lawyer will help you gather the following forms of proof of your dog bite case:

Filing a personal injury claim could help you recover compensation from the dog owner’s insurance company. But if the owner does not have insurance, they could pay for your damages out-of-pocket.

Aside from the animal owner, you could also file a case against the property owner if you were injured on someone else’s property (that you were legally allowed to be at the time of the incident). The property owner could be liable for your injuries under premises liability law.

After filing a personal injury claim, the owner’s insurance may offer you a settlement. However, receiving a fair value is rare, especially for big insurance companies. Hence, having a personal injury lawyer to help you negotiate can be invaluable.

Unfortunately, not all dog bite cases settle out of court. If settlement negotiations with the insurance company are unsuccessful, your personal injury lawyer could help you file a lawsuit in civil court.

Our dog-bite lawyers handle personal injury cases through multiple dispute resolution methods, including litigation. If your case goes to court, a judge or jury will hear evidence from both sides and determine a verdict, with your lawyer serving as your legal representation.

Dogs rarely bite without reason. Remember the following precautions when near any familiar or unfamiliar dog:

Dog bites can cause severe injuries and sometimes even be life-threatening. More than that, the injured party can miss out on work, suffer mental trauma, have permanent scarring, and incur other losses from their dog bite injuries.

Did you or a loved one suffer serious injuries from a dog bite? If so, the dog bite injury lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team will defend your legal rights and help you recover financial compensation from responsible parties. Our dog bite attorneys serve clients in different states where the dog bite liability laws vary, handling dog bite claims of all types.