|
Dog Bites
AA-Accident Attorneys, P.L.C attorneys have represented hundreds of dog attack victims over the years. Most people are not aware that dog owners, and in some cases property owners and landlords, are strictly liable for injuries cause by their animals. This means that these individuals are responsible for the actions of their animals without the need to establish negligence.
More dog bites and animal attacks occur in the state of than any other state in the nation. also leads the nation in fatal animal attacks. Insurance companies settle over 1 billion in claims related to dog and other animal attacks every year. Over one-third of all settlements and judgment paid from homeowners' insurance polices are caused by animal attacks.
The national statistics for dog bites are startling.
Statistics
- There are approximately 4.7 million dog bites per year nationwide.
- The number of dog bites requiring medical attention has increased 15 times faster than the increase in dog ownership.
- There are more than 850,000 dog bites requiring medical attention in the U.S. yearly.
- In a twelve-month period from 1995 to 1996, at least 25 people in the U.S. have died from dog attacks, 20 of whom were children.
- Letter carriers suffer about 3,000 bites annually as they deliver the mail.
Most Animal Attack Victims Are Minor Children
Statistically, young children are most likely to be attacked by animals. Experts theorize this is because young children usually approach strange animals with far less apprehension than adults. Also, children are more likely to startle animals, causing them to lash out and attack as a defensive reaction.
Dogs Most Likley To Attack
The dogs most likely to attack and which account for two-thirds of attacks
are, in order of most attacks and fatalities, are: Pit Bull, Rottweiler,
German Shephard, Husky, and Alaskan Malamute. In California, the breed most
likely to attack people is the Rottweiler.
Strict Liability For Animal Attacks
Under law, as noted above, the animal's owner is strictly responsible for all damages caused by their animal. This means that the victim does not need to prove a dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite. One bite is enough to attach liability to the dog owner, or the owner of the property where the animal is kept.
Disclaimer: This website is dedicated to providing public information regarding dangerous drug injuries, big-rig accidents, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, dog bites, nursing home negligence, insurance bad faith, product liability, amusement park accidents, toxic chemical deaths, slip and fall injuries and other legal information. AA Accident Attorneys, PLC curently serving in the following cities and counties: Santa Clara, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Pasadena, Orange County, Temecula, Palmdale, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Marin, Placer, Sacramento, San Mateo, El Cajon and Las Vegas, Nevada. None of the information on this site is intended to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Please contact a personal injury lawyer for information regarding your particular case.
|