We love our dogs. Our dogs are sad to see us go and happy to see us come home. Even when a dog isn’t our own, many dogs are friendly and will welcome strangers with carefree licks.
But dogs are still animals and sometimes that can surprise us. A recent study shows that dog bite insurance claims are up across the country. Between 2016 and 2017, dog bite claims increased from 18,122 to 18,522, an increase of 2.2 percent. Why does this matter? The cost per claim rose 11.5 percent from $33,230 in 2016 to $37,051 in 2017.
California Leads Nation in Dog Bite Claims
According to the study, California is one of three states leading the nation in dog bite insurance claims. In 2017, California dog bite claims were valued at $90.4 million.
This increase is a result of an increase in the number of dog bites, the severity of dog bites, increased medical costs and increased settlements. When dog bites are more frequent, the costs are bound to go up.
What to Do if You’re the Victim of a Dog Bite?
If you have injuries, call 911. If there are no injuries, you should still call 911 to get a police report. The police report will include:
- A summary of the events leading up to and including the dog bite
- Witness statements
- Information about your injuries and the severity
- Information about the owner of the dog
- The time, date, and location of the incident
- A diagram of the incident
When you’re attacked by a dog, it’s important that you seek immediate medical care. Once you’re deemed to be in good health, then it’s time to make the next call: Steinberg Injury Lawyers.
What Damages Can I Get?
The damages you can obtain will depend on your actions leading up to the dog bite and the severity of your injuries. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve so you can make a full recovery. We’ll fight to protect your rights by trying to collect damages like:
- Pain and suffering
- Past, present and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
Call your Southern California Dog Bite Lawyer
When you’ve been injured by a dog bite, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers. We are trusted Southern California Dog Bite lawyers ready to take your case.
When you’re attacked by a dog and suffer injuries as a result, you deserve the best representation you can get. We have helped many clients just like you recover damages for their injuries after a dog bite. You shouldn’t have to pay for your injuries because of the actions of someone else’s dog. You deserve to get back on your feet as soon as possible.
That’s why our clients trust us to get results. Come see for yourself. Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see who we can help you move forward.
