One minute, you are petting the neighbor's labradoodle, and the next minute, you are in excruciating pain. It's not always possible to know what makes a dog decide you are a threat, but once you have been bitten, the dog's motivation doesn't matter. What does matter is getting the medical treatment you need and holding the dog's owner accountable for its actions, and with the help of our Cedar Rapids dog bite lawyer, you can.
No one deserves to be the victim of a dog bite—but unfortunately, it happens every day. Even the friendliest dogs are capable of causing serious harm in an attack. In Iowa, dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, even if the dog has never bitten anyone or shown signs of aggression in the past. If you've suffered serious injuries or if the attack was unprovoked, you should consider hiring a dog bite attorney in Cedar Rapids to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need for a Dog Bite?
A dog bite lawyer in Cedar Rapids with premises liability experience is someone who specializes in cases where people are injured on another person’s property. Premises liability cases could include trip and fall accidents, swimming pool accidents, and, yes, dog bites. A experienced animal attack lawyer will be able to help you determine whether or not the property owner can be held liable for your injuries.
Many injury lawyers take premises liability cases, but not all of them have specific experience with dog bite cases. In Cedar Rapids, you can trust the team at Hupy and Abraham to answer all of your questions about dog bites and your options for recovering damages from the dog's owner. We have many years of experience helping dog bite victims get the compensation they deserve, and we can help you, too.
What Should I Do Before I Talk to a Cedar Rapids Dog Bite Lawyer?
Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience. It's important to know what to do in the event that you or a loved one is bitten by a dog. Before calling a premises liability lawyer, take these steps if at all possible:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even if the wound appears to be minor, it's important to have it checked out by a professional. There is always the risk of infection when dealing with wounds, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
- Get the contact information of the dog's owner. This is important for a few reasons. First, you'll need to get in touch with them so that they are aware of the incident and can take appropriate action. Secondly, you may need their contact information in order to file a police report or insurance claim.
- Report the bite. In Iowa, the law requires that dog bites are reported to the local health department, animal control office, or police. The dog's owner should make the report, but a dog bite victim, treating physician, or veterinarian could also make the report.
- Contact our Cedar Rapids dog bite attorney. Once your injuries have been treated, and the dog has been reported, you should schedule a free consultation with a dog bite attorney to learn about your options for holding the owner responsible for your medical bills and pain and suffering.
Dealing with a dog bite can be scary and overwhelming, but it's important to remain calm and take action quickly. Getting medical treatment, identifying the owner of the dog, and filing reports with the proper agencies will help your lawyer take the ball and run with it.
When Do I Need a Dog Bite Attorney in Cedar Rapids?
Dog bites can result in serious injuries, including nerve damage, infection, scarring, and emotional trauma. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year—and one in five of those bites is serious enough to require medical attention. If your dog bite injuries are severe, you should consider hiring a premises liability lawyer to handle your case.
The Cost of Dog Bites
Treating a dog bite can be expensive—and if the bite is severe, you may have to miss work while you recover. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost of a dog-bite-related hospital stay was nearly $18,200 in 2017—and that doesn't even include follow-up care or lost wages.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you shouldn't have to bear the financial burden of your medical bills and lost wages alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite incident, it's important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights under the law and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help Your Case?
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost After a Canine Attack?
At Hupy and Abraham, we take dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don't owe us a dime until and unless we win your case. If that happens, we will earn a percentage of your final settlement. It's important to understand that when we apply our skill and experience to your dog bite claim, we can often get you a significantly higher settlement than you would by handling the case yourself. So even though you are giving up part of the compensation you are awarded, you are likely still walking away with more money than you would have if you had not hired us to represent you.
When you meet with us in your free initial consultation, we will explain exactly how this works and what percentage of your settlement we will get so there will be no surprises. We think you will be very happy with our Win or It's Free Guarantee.
How to Find the Best Attorney for an Animal Attack
Not all personal injury lawyers can provide skilled legal representation to an animal attack victim, and you want to make sure that you find one who has experience with dog bite cases. You can start by asking family and friends if they know of any good lawyers or by searching online. Once you have a list of potential lawyers, you'll want to read reviews. You can find reviews on websites like Google and Yelp or by asking around. If you know someone who has used the services of a particular lawyer, ask them what their experience was like. You can also read testimonials from former clients on the lawyer's website. Once you have narrowed down your list, you can schedule a consultation with a few different lawyers. This will give you an opportunity to meet with them in person and get a feel for their personality and how they would handle your case. It's important to choose a dog bite attorney who takes the time to explain your options and makes you feel comfortable.
Contact an Experienced Cedar Rapids Dog Bite Lawyer to Learn More
If you or your child was bitten by a dog and suffered severe injuries, the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy should cover your damages. Insurance companies know that we mean business, and if the insurer is unwilling to settle your claim, then we won't hesitate to take your case to court so that you can recover for your past and future medical costs, lost income, out-of-pocket damages, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
You deserve to get a fair and just recovery after a dog bite injury, but you have a limited amount of time to pursue a legal recovery. Please contact our experienced Cedar Rapids dog bite lawyer today at 1-800-800-5678 for more information and to schedule a free consultation. We are standing by to help you!
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