Dog Bite Lawyer Charlotte, NC
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog bite in, you may be wondering what legal recourse you have with the help of a Charlotte, NC dog bite lawyer and how to protect your rights. Dog bite cases can be complicated, so it is important to seek the help of a lawyer who can provide you with the guidance and support you need throughout the legal process. Learn more about why you need a lawyer after being bitten by a dog, and then contact one at Ted A Greve & Associates for help.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Dog bite laws vary from state to state, and a good lawyer will be familiar with the specific laws in your state, as well as the local court system. A lawyer can also provide guidance on the best way to handle your particular case and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Plus, they will help you determine if the dog’s owner acted negligently or recklessly and can ensure that they are held responsible for their actions. Your lawyer can assist you in negotiating with insurance companies and making sure you are fully compensated for your losses. Finally, a lawyer can provide invaluable advice and support throughout the entire legal process. They can explain all of your options and help you make the best decisions for your situation.
What if the Dog’s Owner Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the dog’s owner does not have insurance to cover the damages caused by their pet, you will likely be responsible for covering your medical expenses. This can be a very difficult situation to be in if you don’t have the means to pay for your medical bills. Fortunately, there are still options available. A Charlotte dog bite lawyer can help you pursue a claim for compensation from the dog’s owner. Even if the dog’s owner does not have insurance, they may still be held liable for any damages that their dog has caused. A lawyer will be able to guide you through the process of pursuing a claim against the dog’s owner. Your lawyer will review all the facts of your case and will be able to advise you on what actions you should take. They will also help you negotiate a fair settlement with the dog’s owner so that you can get the compensation that you deserve.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite, it is important to understand your legal rights. It is possible that you may have a case if the following conditions have been met:
- The dog must have bitten you and caused injury.
- The injury must have been foreseeable, meaning that the owner should have known that the dog might act in a way that would cause harm.
- You must not have provoked or teased the dog in any way.
- You must not have assumed the risk of being bitten by entering into the dog’s area or being in close proximity to the dog.
For individualized legal guidance after being bitten by a dog, speak with our experienced Charlotte dog bite lawyer at Ted A Greve & Associates.
Reporting Dog-Bite Injuries
When a dog has bitten you, an experienced Charlotte dog bite lawyer at Ted A Greve & Associates can guide you through the steps that should be taken to pursue legal action. It can be uncomfortable to report a dog bite if you are friends or family with the dog’s owner. However, it is important to remember that if a dog attacks one person, it is possible that it will attack another person, even if the dog is reasonably well-behaved. North Carolina follows the one-bite law. This law can make it more difficult to recover compensation if there is no record of the dog ever biting someone else. However, you are more likely to be successful with an injury claim if the dog has some kind of bite or attack history.
Are there exceptions to the one-bite rule?
There is an exception when it comes to the one-bite rule. North Carolina law states that it is illegal for a dog owner to allow a dog–6 months or older–to run around at night without the owner or a person the owner put in charge. If you were walking home from work one night and a dog came out of the blue and bit you, this means that if you tracked down the dog’s owner and the dog had no history of biting or being aggressive, you can still recover damages and hold the dog’s owner liable. If this is the case in your situation, our Charlotte dog bite lawyer can advise you on the best course of action.
What does it mean for a dog to be “dangerous”?
For the law to consider a dog to be dangerous, the dog would need to:
- Have previously injured or killed someone
- Been trained specifically to fight
- Have previously injured or killed a domestic pet, such as another dog or cat
- Have previously acted aggressively toward someone, such as following someone else home and snarling or growling at them in a threatening way
Typically, if a dog is deemed to be “dangerous,” its owner will be required to have the dog on a leash or restrained in some way when that dog is no longer at home or keep the dog inside the house or property. Especially in circumstances where you are in public and see a dog restrained or wearing a muzzle, never approach the dog or attempt to pet it. Always speak with the owner before getting near the dog. I
What kind of compensation can I recover?
After an attack, you may be wondering what to do about your medical bills. This should not be something you are concerned with. Instead, you should speak with a lawyer from our office to see how we should proceed with your case. If successful, it is possible that you could recover compensation for things like:
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
No one wants to see “man’s best friend” in a situation where they cannot be with their owner anymore. However, certain dogs do behave more aggressively or were trained to act in a threatening manner. The important thing is that you get medical attention quickly and you seek the help of a lawyer when you are ready to file a personal injury claim.
Contact Us Today
If these conditions have been met, then you may have a legal claim for damages against the dog’s owner or other responsible parties. If this is the case, contact a Charlotte dog bite lawyer at Ted A Greve & Associates to discuss your potential legal options.
Level 1 Bite
As a Charlotte, NC dog bite lawyer explains, the bite with the least severity is a level 1. This represents aggressive dog behavior but did not result in any contact with a person or animal. Usually, this canine is not trying to bite, but is displaying signs that they are uncomfortable and is hoping to scare someone away. If you were attacked by a dog that did make contact with your skin and resulted in injury, please call us at Ted A. Greve & Associates for assistance. If you needed medical attention then the dog owner may be liable for those costs.
Level 2 Bite
WIth a level 2 bite, there has been contact between the animal’s teeth and someone’s skin, but the skin had not been broken through. Such a bite may be a territorial reaction that it does not want you in its space. The best thing to do would be to have the owner move the dog to another area or for you to leave the premises so that another bite does not occur. With a bite of this degree, as a Charlotte dog bite lawyer warns, the next may be worse if the dog continues to feel threatened by you.
Level 3 Bite
A level 3 bite means that the dog has left 1-4 punctures within the skin barrier from a single bite, but the punctures are not deeper than half the depth of their canine teeth. At this level of severity, the dog is deemed a real threat to people and other animals. Most dogs that exhibit aggression are probably going to qualify at this level. If you or someone you care about was seriously bitten by a dog and you had not done anything to provoke them, then the owner may owe you compensation for medical bills and other losses you faced.
Level 4 Bite
Dogs with a level 4 bite have punctured the victim several times with just one bite, with at least one puncture reaching deeper into the skin that is about half the length of their canine teeth. Dogs with this degree of bite may also shake their head while biting and leave deep bruising around the area bitten. This level demonstrates that a canine should be allowed to be around animals or people until a behavior professional can evaluate them.
Level 5 Bite
Dogs who have inflicted a level 5 bite on their victim have left several level 4 bites or have engaged in a repeated attack. Dogs who are at a level 5 are deemed not safe to be with other animals or people. At such a serious level, an animal behaviorist may recommend euthanasia since the dog poses a harm risk to animals or people, and would have to remain in solitary confinement. The only level above this would be a level 6, in which the animal caused the fatality of an animal or person.
Anyone who has been bitten or attacked by a canine and needs compensation from the owner for their injury care and other damages is encouraged to call a Charlotte dog bite lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates as soon as possible.
