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Dog Bite Personal Injury Claims in Iowa City

Dog Bite Personal Injury Claims

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are four and a half million dog bite injuries every year. One in five of these millions of people require medical treatment, which can be a hefty burden in medical bills for the bite victim, and a lot of legal resources and time often goes into determining who is liable after a dog bite injury.

Different Kinds of Dog Bite Injuries

There are many different kinds of physical injuries that a dog bite can cause. Some are small and quickly treatable, while others may be more severe and require dedicated medical attention for accident victims. The resulting injuries from a dog bite are a major determining factor in the decision of a personal injury claim.

Some injuries can include:

What Should I Do If I Get Bitten By A Dog?

1. Seek Medical Attention

Immediate medical attention after a dog attack is essential to your personal health and safety, as well as your insurance claim. If someone called 911, let the paramedics treat you at the scene. If they want to take you to the hospital, go with them. If you are not transported directly to the emergency room, it’s important to see your primary care provider or go to an urgent care center right away.

2. Report the Dog Bite to Local Authorities

When a dog bites someone, state law requires that the incident be reported to the animal control department. Even if it is not required by law, it is up to you to do so in order to properly document the incident for your medical staff, the victim, and future reference. The animal control officer will contact the dog’s owner for proof of current rabies vaccinations and other health records.

An animal control officer has the authority to:

3. Check Your Local Dog Bite Laws

The law requires dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes or in cages in some areas. Check the local laws before reporting the dog bite if this applies to your area.

Some states also require dog owners to vaccinate their pets. If you live in one of these states, ensure the dog has received all the necessary shots.

The state may also require the dog owner to provide proof of vaccination.

4. Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim

Gathering strong evidence that demonstrates owner negligence for the dog, as well as documentation showing your injuries were substantial will help bolster your claim and personal injury case.

A few major examples of evidence would be:

5. Find A Good Personal Injury Lawyer

When it comes to personal injury cases, you need someone who isn’t only knowledgeable and experienced in their field, but who will also take time to get to know you and your case inside and out. At The Iowa City Legal, we take the time to get to know our clients and their stories at every level. We will fight for you every step of the way and make sure you get the personal injury representation and maximum compensation you deserve.

Dog Bite Personal Injury Lawyers Who Take Your Case To Heart - Iowa City Legal

Dog bite claims are never easy to file. Bite incidents not only result in physical injury, but also a significant amount of emotional trauma as well. This is why you need a personal injury attorney who will be attentive to your needs, wants, and best interests during such a sensitive process.

When you come to Iowa City Legal in Iowa City, you’ll be getting some of the best personal injury services in the area. We take our personal injury lawsuits with a degree of involvement that other firms simply don’t. With us, you don’t need to worry about legal fees or hourly charges, because we operate on a contingency fee basis. That means, unless you win, you don’t owe us anything.

These kinds of situations can cause a wide range of emotional pain, and can affect your daily living significantly. Let someone who cares handle your case. Get in touch with Iowa City Legal and schedule a free consultation, today.

In need of a Personal Injury Attorney?

If you need personal injury representation from someone who will care about your case from start to finish, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us here.

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Iowa City Legal

Your Iowa Personal Injury Attorney

If you need personal injury representation, contact us here.

Our Process.

Our process may look something like this...

Gather Evidence

We’ll take care of gathering evidence, such as the accident report, your medical records and bills, and any wage loss documentation. We will also speak to any witnesses to the accident itself and get opinions from your medical providers that may be relevant to your case.

Send A Demand Letter

Once we’ve gathered all the requisite paperwork and your medical treatment is finished, we’ll send a demand letter to notify the other party we are seeking damages and begin the process of settlement negotiation.

Settlement

After receiving an offer from the insurance company, your attorney will call you to discuss the offer and give their opinion as to what a fair settlement value for your claim would be. Your attorney will then negotiate with the adjuster based on that decision. If the parties can agree on a final number, the case will be “settled” at this time. This means that you agree to drop the case as long as the defendant pays the agreed amount of compensation.

File A Personal Injury Lawsuit

Whether or not you decide to take the insurance adjuster’s final offer is your decision, and you can take it or leave it. Iowa City Legal will be there for you with guidance on whether the offer is fair or if it makes sense to continue with a lawsuit.

Negligence

Negligence describes a situation in which a person acts in a careless (or “negligent”) manner, which results in someone else getting hurt or property being damaged. Pursuing a claim of negligent actions is one of the most common routes for plaintiffs in a personal injury case.

Liability

Liability is the concept of fault, more so the idea of which party involved in any type of accident bears the responsibility for its occurrence. When someone is held liable for an accident or injury, they are deemed as the fault party, or simply the party responsible for the accident or injury.

Causes of Injury

There are a wide variety of injuries covered in personal injury law. Some of the common types include:

Car accidents.

Premise liability (injury caused on someone’s property, such as a slip and fall).

Medical negligence (caused by doctors, hospitals, or other healthcare providers).

Injuries caused by animals (such as dog bites).

Injuries caused by serving alcohol to someone (called dram shop laws).

Intentional injuries (such as assaults).

Parties Involved

In most personal injury cases, there is usually a plaintiff and a defendant; however, sometimes, another person or business may be involved, depending on the complexity of the case.

What To Expect.

What should I expect from my personal injury case?

Possible medical expenses, calls from your insurance company, not to mention any emotional distress—you’ve got enough on your plate with your case. The last thing you want to worry about is another financial burden, or if your attorney even knows your first name.

With us, consider those big firm worries a thing of the past. We’re here to help you, in any way we can. That means we personally get to know you, take your case with no money down, and we don’t see anything until we win.

Iowa City Legal is full of experienced lawyers, which means that over the years we’ve learned that the job can’t ever be about fees—it’s about getting injured people, you, the legal care, representation, and fair compensation you deserve, no matter what.

Iowa City Legal

Consult with your Iowa personal injury attorney.

If you need personal injury representation from someone who will care about your case from start to finish, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us here.

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Get personal injury representation from Iowa City lawyer’s who will take your case on with nothing down. Call Iowa City Legal today for a free consultation.