Dog Bites Archives | Ahlander Injury Law

How to Avoid Being Bitten by Someone’s Dog

January 19, 2022 by Big Leap

Many people own dogs, but not all of them will properly train their dogs. In these instances, it is more likely for their dog to bite someone including you. While it is their responsibility to train their dog, there are behaviors you can take to avoid being bitten.

Be Mindful of Your Body Language

When you are around a dog you are unfamiliar with, you can avoid being bitten by being mindful of your body language. It is important that you make an effort to relax your body. You can also soften your expression and don’t maintain direct eye contact. This behavior can be intimidating to dogs. A dog may also become threatened if you approach them head on or lean over them. Instead, turn your body to the side to appear less threatening and crouch down to their level. The way you act around a dog can have a major impact on their reaction to you, so you should make an effort to appear calm and non-threatening.

Know the Signs of Aggressive Behavior

You can also avoid being bitten if you can identify aggressive behavior in dogs. Recognizing this behavior can help you know when you should walk away or leave a dog alone. There are several types of body language you can observe in a dog that indicate aggressive behavior. In the face, they will likely wrinkle their muzzle, tighten their muscles, or show their teeth while growling. The rest of their body may become stiff or rigid. Their tail may also be held straight up and the hair on their back wil stand up. Dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior may also stare directly ahead. If you recognize any of this behavior, you should give the dog some space and not irritate it further.

Don’t Antagonize the Dog

While many dog bites can result from a lack of training, there are also many dog bites that are caused by the behavior of the person who is bitten. If you antagonize a dog and it bites you, then you can’t exactly hold the owner responsible. You should never tease or startle a dog. Don’t bother it while it’s eating or sleeping. Don’t chase a dog and don’t get between a dog and its owner. Be respectful of the dog and this can help you avoid any injury.

In a dog bite case, it can be difficult to determine the party at fault. For your benefit, you should make it a habit to avoid being the cause of a dog bite. Your actions can help you to stay safe and avoid being at fault in the event you are bitten.

Contacting a personal injury lawyer can help you in your dog bite case.

Dog Bite Legal Advice: When Your Dog Bites Another Dog

May 10, 2021 by Erik

Dogs are considered man’s best friend for a reason: They’re loyal, loving, and will do anything they can to keep their families safe. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and dogs can interpret certain incidents as threats even when they’re not.

If your dog bites another dog, you could be liable for the damages. So, what should you do if your dog injures another dog? Do you really need to get dog bite legal advice as soon as possible?

The answer is, unequivocally, yes.

It’s Always Best to Contact an Attorney

If your dog bites another dog, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced attorney. They’ll be able to give you detailed dog bite legal advice to help you get your life back to normal.

Remember, your dog’s behavior is your responsibility. If they bite another dog, you can bet that the other dog’s owner will do what they can to place the blame on you. The sooner you can get legal advice, the better off you’ll be and the better prepared you’ll be for any dog bite legal action that might result from the incident.

They Can Help With Insurance Companies

With most dog bite incidents, you’ll want to file a claim with your homeowners’ insurance policy. Almost every insurance policy includes a form of general liability coverage. This coverage will help you cover the cost of the other dog’s medical bills and any other expenses associated with treating the dog bite injury.

However, insurance providers can be notoriously difficult to work with. Your attorney will be able to represent your interests with the insurance provider so they can process the claim as soon as possible. The sooner the claim gets processed, the sooner you’ll be able to get your life back to normal.

They May Help Prove Liability (or Disprove It)

Dog bites happen quickly and figuring out which dog provoked the incident and which owner is responsible for dog bites is the first step in any dog bite legal action. Hiring an attorney can make it easier to prove liability—or disprove it, as the case may be.

A skilled attorney will have worked on cases similar to yours in the past. This means they’ll have the right experience to help determine who is at fault or identify factors that may make your dog less responsible for the bite itself.

For example, if your dog bit another dog on your property, your attorney may be able to illustrate that your dog was just defending its territory. The other dog (that should have been under its owner’s control) trespassed and thus, your dog may not be responsible for the injury.

If your dog bit another in a public area, they’ll be able to review the circumstances and help you navigate the liability more clearly.

They’ll Act as a Liaison

Emotions can run high when family pets are involved. Experienced attorneys know that there’s more to each case than simply providing you with dog bite legal advice. They’re also responsible for helping keep things calm.

They’ll be able to communicate with the other dog owner and their legal team on your behalf. That means you won’t have to worry about getting into yelling matches or dealing with an irate owner on your own.

What You Should Do If Your Dog Bites Another Dog

The first thing you should do after your dog bites another dog is to exchange the necessary information with the other dog owner. Give them your phone number and insurance information. Then, go straight to your veterinarian and let them make sure your dog didn’t get hurt in the altercation.

If they did, keep a copy of the veterinary report. This can come in handy when dealing with a dog bite legal action or lawsuit.

After you make sure your dog is okay, write down what you remember from the incident. Log as many details as you can. Then, schedule a consultation with a dog bite attorney. They’ll review the information you give them to help you decide if you have a case or if you’re fully responsible for the incident.

It’s Up to You to Keep Your Dog Safe

Ultimately, it’s up to you to keep your dog safe. This means keeping them on a leash, going to training classes, and paying attention to your dog’s body language when you’re out and about. As long as you’re vigilant and willing to put in the work, you’ll be able to keep your dog from getting into altercations with other pets.

When in Doubt, Get Legal Help

If your dog bites another dog, don’t leave things up to chance. If you’re in the Las Vegas area, contact us today at Ahlander Injury Law and get the dog bite legal advice you need to protect yourself, your pet, and your wallet.

What You Need to Know If You’ve Been Injured In a Dog Bite Incident

September 7, 2018 by Erik

They are cute and furry, but they can be ferocious. Through no fault of their own, sometimes dogs, like humans, become hostile and violent and lash out as a defense mechanism or, even more shameful, have been trained to be aggressive. Sometimes people are victims of this reckless behavior. Dog bites can be painful, both physically and emotionally. If you have been an unfortunate victim of a dog bite, and are in the need of a dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas, this article will help explain your rights and provide tips on how to recover.

Statute of Limitations

The state of Nevada has no specific statute regarding dog bite cases, therefore courts rely on precedent and local ordinance. Dog bites fall under the Nevada injury law statute. There is a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury—in this case, a dog bite—so do not delay in pursuing counsel if you are a victim of a dog bite.

Comparative Fault

When you are the victim of a dog bite, there is no doubt that you have been grievously injured, but when dealing with the courts, both sides must be represented and accountable. The State of Nevada follows negligence principles when hearing dog bite cases, so when the hearing starts, both parties are considered equally “at fault.” “Modified comparative fault” is the precedent used in Nevada courts, which finds that if the injury victim is less than 50% at fault, then the dog owner and the dog bite victim share the liability, but if the bite victim is found more than 50% at fault, the damages are completely eliminated.

Steps to Take In Your Dog Bite Case

Your dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas will provide guidance as mediation and a court date draws near, but a few simple steps you can take early in the process are:

Seek necessary medical attention immediately
Contact Ahlander Injury Law as soon as possible
Keep a record of all medical expenses, doctor appointments, and any subsequent communications with the dog owner
Take care of yourself as you heal from the experience

Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, but dealing with the aftermath does not have to be. Let Ahlander Injury Law help you through this difficult time. If you think you may be in need of a dog bite lawyer, contact Ahlander Injury Law today for a consultation.

What To Do When a Dog Attacks You

January 1, 2018 by Erik

Most of the time, dogs are loyal companions and a source of joy to their owners, friends, and family. Unfortunately, even man’s best friend can sometimes turn against humans in a nasty way, and anyone who has been victim of a dog attack can relate.

Avoiding an attack

There are a few tips that can help you ward off the danger of a dog attack in the moment. First off, avoid panicking. Though it’s hard to do, dogs do sense fear and may feel more confident or even threatened if you act in a fearful way.

Second, you should make yourself still and avoid eye contact with the dog. This will lessen the threat to the animal and minimize harm the dog may cause. Though it may be instinctual, you should avoid running from the dog and instead try to distract it with another object.

Defending yourself

If and when the dog does attack, you’ll need to step up your defense to get the dog off of you. Use your body weight to roll over the dog and use a commanding voice to tell it to back away. Use a stick or other weapon to hit the dog or use mace or pepper spray to fight back. Seek medical attention immediately if you have any broken skin or other injury.

Legal assistance

If you’ve experienced any level of dog bite, you have the right to contact a lawyer for personal injury claims. Ahlander Injury Law in Las Vegas has dealt with many dog bite injuries and has an experienced staff of lawyers ready to get the compensation you deserve. Contact Ahlander Injury Law today to help resolve the scarring, emotional damages, and other issues that many come up as a result of dog attack.

The Statistics of Dog Bites and How You Can Protect Yourself

February 15, 2017 by Erik

A dog being aggressive.

According to records kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million people were bitten by dogs between the years 2001 to 2003. Every year about 850,000 people receive dog bites that are severe enough for them to seek medical help. A little over 350,000 of these dog bite victims had to go to the emergency room and every year a few dozen people are killed. For example, 35 people were killed in 2015 and 42 people were killed in 2014. Dog bites are the fifth most common reason why children are rushed to emergency rooms.

Most people are bitten by their own dogs or the dogs of people they know, taking place on the property of the dog’s owner, and the victims are usually adults. [Read more…]