Many dogs in Gastonia are friendly, but there are valid reasons to be wary around dogs, particularly ones you don’t know. Dog bites can cause long-lasting scars, potentially fatal infections, and lingering mental health issues. You might also incur thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost income while you heal from a dog bite.
The Gastonia dog bite lawyers at Ted A. Greve & Associates know how difficult it is to recover from severe injuries. Proving you should receive compensation for your injuries can be challenging, but our dog bite attorneys will handle all the legal work. Firm founder Ted A. Greve is a personal injury attorney and chiropractic physician, which gives him in-depth insights into how your injuries affect your daily life. We don’t charge any upfront fees for dog bite cases, so call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a dog bite lawyer in Gastonia, NC.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Gastonia, NC
North Carolina law outlines dog owners’ responsibilities to keep others safe. Owners must keep their dogs securely on their property and not let them roam freely. Dog owners should also use a leash when walking in public to make sure their pets don’t hurt anyone or cause trouble.
State law treats some dogs differently based on their aggressive behavior. The state defines a dog as “dangerous” if it severely hurts or kills someone without being provoked. Furthermore, a dog is “potentially dangerous” if it bites someone badly enough to break bones, cause deep cuts, or if it attacks another animal while away from its owner’s property. Even if a dog doesn’t bite someone or another animal, aggressively charging or threatening someone could lead officials to define a dog as potentially dangerous.
These definitions matter because state law holds a dangerous dog’s owner strictly responsible for any injuries the dog causes. “Strict liability” means the owner must pay for any injuries a dog causes even if they tried hard to stop their dog from biting someone. Simply put, once a dog is known to be dangerous, the owner is fully accountable if anything goes wrong.
But what if a dog was not classified as dangerous when it bit someone? North Carolina’s “one-bite rule” applies in these cases. The one-bite rule means a dog’s owner is not automatically responsible for a victim’s injuries the first time a dog bites someone—as long as the owner didn’t already know their dog was likely to bite or act aggressively. However, after that first bite, the owner can’t claim they didn’t know the dog could be dangerous.
The one-bite rule does not prevent all lawsuits against a dog’s owner, though. Someone with dog bite injuries might still have a case based on the owner’s negligence if they can show the dog’s owner didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent a bite. For instance, not keeping the dog securely on their property might make an owner liable for a victim’s injuries.
Common Injuries and Health Risks from Dog Bites
Dog bites in Gastonia frequently cause intense injuries and lingering health problems. For instance, many bites cause deep cuts or puncture wounds. These injuries may require stitches or surgery to heal properly.
Furthermore, dogs have strong jaws that can crush or break bones, especially in the hands, arms, or legs. Similarly, people sometimes suffer nerve damage from dog bites, which can cause long-lasting pain or trouble moving the injured area.
Another health risk from dog bites is infection. Dogs’ mouths carry many types of harmful bacteria, so even small bites can quickly cause infections. While rabies is the most widely known infection from dog bites and is fatal without rapid treatment, other infections can cause severe health problems.
In addition to physical injuries, dog bites often leave deep emotional wounds. Many people experience anxiety or intense fear after a bite, especially around dogs. Some victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can cause nightmares, panic attacks, and severe anxiety in everyday life. These emotional injuries sometimes last longer and are more challenging to treat than physical wounds.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident in Gastonia
It’s vital to protect your rights after a dog bite due to the complicated liability issues in these cases. Here are some steps our firm recommends you take in the coming days and weeks:
Medical Attention: What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite
Clean the wound carefully with soap and water, then visit a doctor as soon as possible. Quick medical treatment helps prevent infections and reduces the chance of infections or other long-term health problems.
Reporting the Incident: Who to Contact and Why
Report the dog bite promptly to local animal control officials or law enforcement. Notifying the authorities helps them track dangerous dogs and keeps others in your community safe.
Documenting Evidence for Your Case
Take pictures of your injuries and, if possible, gather information about the dog and its owner. Visual proof of your injuries strengthens your case when you seek compensation for your medical bills or other losses from a dog bite.
Contacting Authorities: Animal Control and Law Enforcement
Calling animal control or the police right away means they will hopefully investigate quickly and take appropriate steps. They’ll determine whether the dog poses any further danger and make sure the owner takes steps to prevent future attacks.
Pursuing Compensation: How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
The complicated laws regarding dog bites in North Carolina mean you’ll need legal help to recover fair compensation. Our Gastonia dog bite lawyers can collect your medical records and other evidence to document your injuries. We’ll also gather evidence showing the dog was dangerous or that the owner should have known it might hurt someone.
Next, we’ll send a demand letter to the dog’s owner and their homeowner’s insurance company requesting compensation for your injuries. We’ll negotiate for a fair deal and prepare your case for court should a trial become necessary. Make sure you call a lawyer right away, as you only have three years after a dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates
A dog bite is a traumatic ordeal, but our Gastonia dog bite lawyers are ready to fight for you. Call Ted A. Greve & Associates today or reach out online for a free case evaluation.
