Greenville Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs provide wonderful companionship for the many households that own them. However, dog owners who don’t properly control their pets can be held strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause. This means that even if there’s no reason to suspect their dog is dangerous, the owner will be responsible for your injuries if it attacks you.

If a dog bites you, you should first report the attack to local authorities and get immediate medical care before contacting an injury attorney. Then, reach out to us at Holland & Usry for a FREE case review with a Greenville dog bite lawyer who can help you recover compensation for your injuries and related costs.

Can Owners Escape Liability When Their Dog Bites Someone?

The state’s strict liability standard for dog-inflicted injuries means that you don’t need to prove that the owner knew of the dog’s propensity to bite or otherwise expected that the dog might attack you. The belief that a dog gets “one free bite” is a myth that has no legal basis under this standard.

Nonetheless, a dog’s owner may claim that you provoked or taunted the dog, or that you were trespassing on their private property when the attack occurred. Note that police are immune from liability when a working dog bites a perpetrator during the course of a legitimate law enforcement action. We can answer your questions about a dog owner’s liability if you have suffered injuries as a result of being bitten. Our attorney can provide you with an explanation of your rights and the opportunity to recover compensation following a canine attack in Greenville.

How To Recover Damages for Dog Bite Injuries

Even with the state’s strict liability standard, recovering damages for dog attack injuries isn’t automatic. You can improve your chances of recovering damages when you:

• Seek immediate medical care, follow your physician’s recommendations, and keep all invoices and receipts associated with treatment and rehabilitation for your injuries
• Get contact information for the dog’s owner (if possible) and ask if the dog’s vaccinations are all current
• Report the attack to the local police department and check with the state’s Department of Environmental Services to determine whether a report is required
• Note the exact location where the attack happened and, specifically, whether it occurred on private or public property
• Take pictures of the dog, your injuries, and the place where the attack occurred

The dog’s owner may separately report the attack to their liability insurers, and an insurance adjuster may then call you to get your version of events. Rather than speaking directly with the adjuster, who might use your statements to deny your claim, you should respond that you are seeking legal representation from a Greenville lawyer who will manage all communications with insurers regarding your dog bite injuries.

If You Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Greenville, Call Our Attorney Today for Legal Advice

At Holland & Usry, we’ve handled many dog bite cases, securing successful settlements for our clients. We offer FREE case reviews, and you’ll pay nothing for our services until we recover damages for you. Our fees will then be part of your overall settlement.

We love dogs and respect everyone’s right to enjoy their companionship and loyalty, but we also believe in responsible dog ownership. If you’ve been a victim of a canine attack, please call our offices to speak with a Greenville dog bite lawyer about filing a personal injury lawsuit for compensation for your losses and injuries.