Although you see a picture of a tiger (a wild animal) at our home page, you will not ordinarily, living in urban environments, encounter an attack from such a beast. The photo represents that the vicious nature of an attack from a domestic animal can occur sometimes, under certain circumstances. Can’t picture this kind of attack to one of our children!
A common, known type of animal attack is done by a dog. 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 domain, including the dog owner’s property, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.
This statute applies only to dog owners. Someone other than the owner, such as a keeper or landlord, is liable only if the keeper or landlord had prior knowledge of the dog’s vicious nature.
Please be aware of the following things (if you can under the stressful circumstances) in an accident situation:
· Obtain the other driver’s personal and insurance information as well as the contact information of all witnesses;
· Notify your insurance company immediately;
· Avoid contact with the dog owner’s insurance carrier (you are under no duty to furnish a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance entity);
· Seek legal counsel as soon as you can to protect your rights;
· Document all injuries and compose notes of the experiences of the injuries sustained;
· Retain all documentation (receipts, medical bills, files, etc.) in support of a claim against the animal owner.
If you forget any of the recommended procedures, just remember one thing—contact a qualified and competent counsel for a free consultation immediately to preserve and to protect your legal rights. Keep in mind that further harm may occur if you do not have a legal representative on your side fighting on your behalf.