Statistics, Strict Liability and the One Bite Rule

According to a recent survey by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention there are more than 74.8 million dogs in the United States. This survey also shows that dogs bite more than 4.7 million people every year . Of those, more than 70% of these dog bite victims are children and often sustain serious injuries. Many serious dog attacks, such as the ones mentioned in our previous blog posts involve a dog of a friend or family member.

Like many states, California have enacted laws that hold the owner completely liable for a dog bite attack, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. This is called strict liability, which means, that this statue eliminates the “one bite rule,” which means for protection for victims and potential victims. Under this strict liability statute, a victim of a dog bite injury only needs to show that the dog is owned by the defendant, the dog caused the injury, the dog attack occurred on public property and that the victim was injured by the actual dog bite – regardless if it was the dog’s first offense.  So, even if it may be the dog’s first offense, the victim is protected under this new statute.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog biting accident, please feel free to contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your personal injury or dog biting case.  Call 877-702-7274 to speak to your lawyer today!

Preventing a Dog Bite Injury

Every year, in the United States alone, 800,000 dog bite cases are reported requiring medical attention. Of those, 17 are fatal. Many of these dog bite cases, however, might be preventable if the aggressive warning signs are noticed early on. Dominance aggression, for example, is even seen in the most tame house pets. Ever yell at a dog too loudly to “sit”? Or push him off your bed? Dogs, like many animals, often elicit a warning growl before they strike. The dog believes that he/she is dominate and that you are “tempting his/her good patience.”  Good obedience training can help avoid these potentially nasty situations.

Many of us get dogs as pets to provide safety; so that they may guard our homes and valuables. But dogs may also become aggressive when they are protecting their own valuables. This includes their food, family member, or their most treasured toy. Accidents and dog bite cases particularly with children can be prevented by teaching kids not to go near a dog when he is eating or playing to roughly with their favorite toy.

Fear aggression such as aggression towards strangers (new friends, running youngsters, veterinarians) and maternal aggression may also help prevent dog bites with the appropriate steps, such as allowing the dog to slowly understand the new people and allowing for a safe space for the maternal mother and her new pups.

Remember, any dog can be provoked, and while there are preventative measures, dog bite accidents unfortunately occur too often. The consequences of dog bite attacks are dire and life changing for its’ victims. If you are approached by an aggressive and menacing dog, do not attempt to run, be still and avoid eye contact with the animal.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog biting accident, please feel free to contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your personal injury or dog biting case.  Call 877-702-7274 to speak to your lawyer today!

Responsibility, Liability and Compensation

Who is responsible for compensation in a dog bite injury case? What if my best friend’s dog bit me or my child, and havesustained dog biting injuries as a result? These are just a few questions dog bite victims think about before they choose to get an attorney. At our office, we understand the needs and complications of a dog biting accident, and understand that we don’t want to harm dog owners and friends in the process.

To be clear, dog owners are always responsible for making sure that their dogs are not a threat to public safety and are either leashed or fenced in to prevent any unforeseeable accidents. Determining liability in any dog biting case is clear: the owner. The other part to this is compensation. Victims of dog bite injuries have the right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of earning, lifestyle changes as well as future incurring medical costs. Our experienced attorneys can help calculate and identify such future medical expenses.

Our attorney’s handle these dog bite cases and other personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we don’t get paid until we recover money for you. You do not pay us in advance and we ONLY get paid if we are successful in recovering money for you.

Please feel free to contact our office today to speak with our attorneys!

Bigger Settlement with a Dog Bite Attorney

Just in our last blog post, we were speaking about just how often dog bites often occur unreported. Well on November 18, a five year old boy was seriously injured when yet another pit bull attacked him on his front yard in Herminie. Officials reported that he had a broken jaw and possible nerve damage from the attack. Needless to say, an attack of this magnitude has affected his boy for the rest of his life. This traumatic experience may cause severe and long-lasting injuries.

Our office wants you to be prepared for any unfortunate circumstance. First, seek medical treatment as soon as possible for your dog bit injuries. Often, dogs may have diseases that even the owners don’t know about. Even if you think it is a small scratch or bite, it is worth it to go and get it checked out! If possible, once you have received immediate medical attention, try to obtain any pictures of your injuries and report the dog bite attack to the proper authorities.  Dog bite attacks often take time to fully recover physically as well as emotionally. Furthermore, studies have shown that people who try and deal with the insurance companies on their own receive 1/10 of the amount as they would have received with a lawyer. Therefore, it is important to contact a reputable attorney to discuss your injuries and the incident as soon as you can. Prompt action by your attorney can help you achieve a proper settlement and aid in medical treatment for your physical and psychological injuries.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog biting accident, please feel free to contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your personal injury or dog biting case.  Call 877-702-7274 to speak to your lawyer today!

 

 

Dog Attacks and Bites in the News

Many of us know dogs as our cuddly pet friends. This often picturesque association that we have with dogs are one of the many reasons dog biting cases go unreported.

Just recently, on November 17, 2011 Damien Hall was named a hero when he saved a 15 month old baby from a stray pit bull terrier. Mr. Hall happened to be at the right place at the right time and was able to pull the vicious pit bull terrier off of the poor baby; saving its’ life.

Although he was able to safe the baby’s life, the child was not left unharmed. The baby sustained permanent damage, suffering facial scarring, requiring reconstructive surgery and other financially burdening procedures. This is where the top notch attorneys of The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi can help. We handle hundreds of dog biting cases yearly and know how to get you the settlement you deserve! Many times, people underestimate how often accidents like these occur and are unaware of how to get the proper care they need. Moreover, it is often underestimated just how psychologically and emotionally damaging these dog biting accidents are. Our top attorneys have had years of experience in the field, and have access to some of the best medical facilities and doctors.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog biting accident, please feel free to contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your personal injury or dog biting case.  Call 877-702-7274 to speak to your lawyer today!

 

Being Prepared for your Car Accident

It’s impossible to know when disaster will strike when you’re on the road. Often, people become flustered and are not aware of the crucial steps that need to be taken as soon as a car accident occurs. First and foremost, make sure that you and your passengers are safe. Next, be sure to take pictures of the ENTIRE car accident, including all vehicles involved. Make sure to take pictures with Different Angles of damages that are sustained to your car as well as any bodily/personal injuries (cuts, bruises, swellings) that have been sustained. Moreover, take pictures of the road and intersection; be sure to include skid marks and road damage. *Always remember to be careful when taking photographs and stay out of the flow of traffic and other risky situations.* Call our office so that we can start assisting you in your accident/personal injury case RIGHT AWAY.

Our office has developed the Arash Accident Kits and are the solution to your car accident and personal injury case. Arash Accident Kits are equipped with a flash camera (27 exposures), accident information form (for other party’s information) and pencil; so that documenting your accident is made easy. As digital photos can be easily manipulated, our cameras are the perfect solution to capturing exactly what happened in your car accident and help provide invaluable information.

Our personal injury attorneys are always ahead of the game and are trying to prepare our clients for any situation that may arise. Please contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 310-277-7529 (7LAW) and we would be happy to offer you an accident kit Free of charge!

Even if you follow all precautions on the road, car accidents are often unavoidable. After taking the necessarily medical treatment and using our accident kit, call our experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys and we can assist you with the complicated process of dealing with your car accident. Call 310-277-7529 to speak to a personal injury lawyer today.

Drunk Driving

According to the statistics from the Department of Motor Vehicles, DUIs are the single largest cause of automotive related fatalities in the state of California, with 56.4% of motor vehicle related deaths caused by drunk drivers. Yet few people know how to get the compensation that they deserve through the legal system.

Drunk Driving Accident Victims Driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is clearly negligence. A driver who becomes intoxicated and chooses to drive puts every other person on the road at risk of a car accident, injury or death. While the criminal court system can punish a drunk driver who caused the car accident, it does nothing to compensate the you-the victim. This is where the highly qualified personal injury lawyers at The Law Office of ArashKhorsandi come in – helping you win your case buy getting the justice you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, please feel free to contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your car accident, personal injury, of drunk driving accident. Call 877-702-7274 to speak to a personal injury lawyer today!

Driving in the Rain

Who is the culprit behind the growing amount of car accidents the beginning of this season? RAIN.
Rain is one of the leading causes of car accidents, especially here in California where residents often forget what it is to experience seasons. Bad weather conditions often increase the risk of reckless drivers. Rain causes roads to be slippery and unfortunately provides prime conditions for hydro-planning and skidding–any potential car accident’s dream team.

Advice from our car accident/personal injury lawyers here at The Law Office of Arash Khorsandi?
Drive slower and be weary and overly cautious of road conditions and other drivers, especially when it first begins to drizzle. When it first begins to rain, roads are at their most slippery, creating a greasy, unmanageable surface. Make sure to keep a safe distance from other vehicles and do not brake suddenly, this can help prevent injuries and what could be a disastrous car accident.

Our personal injury attorneys want our clients to be aware of the necessary precautions to prevent an accident during this year’s rainy season. However, if you or your loved ones have recently ben invonvled in a car accident, please feel free to contact out law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to assist you with any of your questions and the complicated process of dealing with your car accident. Call 877-702-7274 to speak to a personal injury lawyer today!

Be Prepared for a Car Accident

It’s impossible to know when disaster will strike when you’re on the road. Often, people become flustered and are not aware of the crucial steps that need to be taken as soon as a car accident occurs. First and foremost, make sure that you and your passengers are safe. Next, be sure to take pictures of the ENTIRE car accident, including all vehicles involved. Make sure to take pictures with Different Angles of damages that are sustained to your car as well as any bodily injuries (cuts, bruises, swellings) that have been sustained. Moreover, take pictures of the road and intersection; be sure to include skid marks and road damage. *Always remember to be careful when taking photographs and stay out of the flow of traffic and other risky situations.* Call our office so that we can start assisting you in your accident/personal injury case RIGHT AWAY.

Our office has developed the Arash Accident Kits and are the solution to your car accident and personal injury case. Arash Accident Kits are equipped with a flash camera (27 exposures), accident information form (for other party’s information) and pencil; so that documenting your accident is made easy.As digital photos can be easily manipulated, our cameras are the perfect solution to capturing exactly what happened in your car accident and help provide invaluable information.

Our personal injury attorneys are always ahead of the game and are trying to prepare our clients for any situation that may arise. Please contact our law office via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 877-702-7274 and we would be happy to offer you an accident kit Free of charge!

Even if you follow all precautions on the road, car accidents are often unavoidable. After taking the necessarily medical treatment and using our accident kit, call our experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys and we can assist you with the complicated process of dealing with your car accident. Call 877-702-7274 to speak to a personal injury lawyer today.

State Farm Insurance Dog Bite Statistics: California is #1! Defend Yourself, Get A Los Angeles Lawyer

dog bite statisticsState Farm Insurance recently compiled a list of dog bite statistics detailing the number of dog bite insurance claims that it received in 2010. According to State Farm, California leads the pack with a total of 369 claims and roughly $11 million in dog bite settlements. This averages nearly $30,000 in dog bite compensation per dog bite claim.

More Dog Bite Statistics

Following California in the dog bite claims and settlement numbers are the following states:

1. California, 369 claims, $11 million paid
2. Illinois, 317 claims, $9.7 million paid
3. Ohio, 215 claims, $5.7 million paid
4. Texas, 202 claims, $3.7 million paid
5. Michigan, 166 claims, $5.2 million paid
6. Pennsylvania, 155 claims, $3.9 million paid
7. Florida, 146 claims, $5.6 million paid
8. Minnesota, 139 claims, $3.4 million paid
9. New York, 119 claims, $4.3 million paid
10. Indiana, 114 claims, $1.8 million paid

These ten states were responsible for close to $55 million in insurance payouts for 1,942 claims, with an average of $28,321,32 per claim. Out of the top ten leading states, only Ohio has reserved the right to refuse claims on a breed-specific basis. Ohio-based insurance companies are free to refuse claims or raise rates for owners of pit pulls or any American Staffordshire terrier mix. Fortunately, for dog bite victims in California, this is not the case. Anyone who is the victim of a dog bite can file a dog bite claim.

California Dog Bite Statutes

California dog bite statutes state that “the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness….”

Of course, the best way to avoid dog bites is to follow a few tips. For instance, never run past a dog you are not familiar with as a dog’s natural instinct is to chase. Always avoid eye contact with a threatening dog and never approach a strange dog even if it is tethered or on a leash. If a dog attack seems imminent, reach for the closest possible object to place between you and the animal. This could be anything from a bicycle to a purse or backpack.

Contact a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

Even if you follow all those tips, you could still be the victim of a dog bite attack. If so, seek medical care immediately and keep all of the paper work. Then call one of our experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorneys. We can walk you through this complicated process, file a dog bite claim and get you the financial compensation that you deserve. Please call 877-702-7274 to speak to a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer today.