Dogs can be a person’s worst enemy or best friend. If you’re reading this, it’s likely that a dangerous dog has caused serious injuries to you or someone you love. Dog bites may have long-term mental and physical repercussions. You may experience pain and suffering, which is an unfair burden that a careless dog owner has placed on you. To aid in your recovery from these injuries, you can get assistance from our Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney in your quest for justice and fair compensation.
The Rollins Law Firm is experienced in personal injury claims. Our Ridgeland dog bite lawyers can investigate all possible avenues of recovery for your case. We will carefully negotiate a fair settlement under the owner’s insurance policy and, if necessary, sue the negligent parties for damages.
We take pride in providing honest, tailored, and comprehensive legal advice while making sure that we are here to support you at every stage. Call us right away to schedule a free consultation with our Mississippi dog bite attorney!
Why Do I Need a Dog Bites Lawyer in Mississippi?
In all legal situations, you are always free to represent yourself. If you sustained injuries after a dog bite, you must decide if you require the services of a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney.
It is vital to keep in mind that legal battles are frequently expensive, emotionally taxing, and time-consuming. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side means you won’t have to deal with complicated legal procedures, understand the particulars of your state’s laws, or perform any other difficult legal tasks. Additionally, you will always have a resource to turn to for guidance.
You will find it simpler to pursue compensation with our legal team at The Rollins Law Firm. We’ll take care of everything for you, including
- Answering all your legal questions and explaining how the Mississippi dog bite state laws are applicable to your case
- Keeping you informed, so you’re always equipped with the knowledge you need to make legal judgments
- Identifying all liable parties
- Communicating with responsible parties so that you don’t have to speak with them personally.
- Investigating the dog bite and collecting as much supporting information as possible
- Establishing the value of your case
- Negotiating fair settlement
- If a settlement is not feasible, representing you in court litigation
By taking on all responsibilities related to your case, our Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney will offer you more time and space for healing. Reach out to us immediately to know more about how we can assist you. Contact us now!
Dog Bites
When dogs bite people or injure them in some other way, the dog owners typically bear the legal responsibility for their actions. This implies that a person who has been bitten by a dog has the option of filing a claim with their insurance company or bringing legal action against the dog’s owner in order to seek compensation for their injuries. This may include the cost of medical treatment and future medical expenses.
However, when someone is injured by a dog, the owner of the dog may be able to evade legal liability based on the acts of the person who was injured. The responsibility of the dog owner may be lessened or even completely waived if the following conditions are met by the individual bringing the dog bite claim:
- The dog bite victim has provoked the dog
- The victim was breaking the law or trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the injury
- The victim voluntarily risked being hurt by the dog
- The dog bite victim failed to show or prove that they were actually bitten by the dog
- The victim contributed to the injury by being unreasonably negligent
If a dog attacks you and causes you serious injury, you have the right to seek fair compensation from the owner. If this has happened to you or someone you care about, contact a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney as soon as you can.
Common Dog Bites Injuries in Ridgeland
Dogs can cause serious injuries and leave scars that may be visible for the rest of a person’s life. Canines are strong animals that, depending on their size, are capable of inflicting significant damage on their victims.
The following are examples of some of the more prevalent major injuries caused by dog bites:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Cuts and scrapes
- Crushed, broken, or fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scars and disfigurement
- Amputation
- Infections such as tetanus, MRSA, rabies, Pasteurella, and other bacterial infections
- Animal phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
A personal injury attorney in Mississippi can assist you in filing a dog bite claim for financial compensation if you or your loved one were a victim of a serious or deadly dog bite injury that was caused by a negligent dog owner.
Dog Bite Liability Laws in Mississippi
Only a few states, like Mississippi, have not yet passed a particular law that addresses dog bite claims. The “one bite rule” has been established as a precedent in previous court proceedings in the state.
In order for the owner to be found legally responsible in Mississippi, the dog in question must have previously demonstrated that it may be aggressive. If a dog bite victim can demonstrate the following factors, they may be entitled to compensation.
- the dog had a history of aggressive behavior;
- the owner knew or should have reasonably understood that the dog may be harmful, and;
- the owner should have foreseen an attack
Mississippi also imposes a statute of limitations, or a predetermined time frame, on when a dog bite injury victim can file a lawsuit for monetary damages. The case will be automatically dismissed by the courts if it is not filed within three years after the dog bite occurrence.
Note that specific leash restrictions and other compliance requirements may exist in Mississippi towns and cities, which may have an impact on an owner’s possible liabilities. Seek legal advice from a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney to help you understand other laws that may impact your case.
Financial Awards in Dog Bite Cases
After establishing the dog owner’s liability in your dog bite case, your Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney can assist you in pursuing compensation for your damages. Depending on the facts of your case, the types and amounts of compensation you may get may include compensation for:
- Medical care, surgeries, and other hospitalization bills
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
A Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney can help you assess your damages and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Who Pays When a Dog Attacks in Ridgeland, MS?
After reading about Mississippi’s one-bite law, you might be wondering, “Who pays when a dog strikes someone?” In most cases, the answer is the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance, however, this depends on the specifics of the incident.
The dog that attacked you or your child may have belonged to a friend, neighbor, or family member. It’s natural to feel awkward about asking a friend or family member for money. One must keep in mind, however, that the money will not typically come from the dog’s owner. The claim payment will instead be made by the insurance company. The dog owner has paid homeowner’s insurance premiums for just this reason.
Having a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney on your side is your greatest option to pursue justice, whether the responsibility lies with the dog owner or with their homeowner’s insurance policy.
What if the Dog Owner Doesn’t Have Insurance?
“What if that dog owner doesn’t have insurance?” is a question that sometimes arises in dog bite or dog attack cases. What do you do in Mississippi with a claim like that? The response is that we will first analyze the problem from top to bottom. People will sometimes claim that they do not have insurance when, in fact, they do.
- The first step in such circumstances is to make sure you’re not just taking their word for it. Look into other potential insurance coverage against the party who owns the dog that caused the accident. Check your own personal insurance coverage. If you were injured on the job, you could look at workers’ compensation too.
- The second alternative is to proceed with the claim and achieve a judgment through trial or verdict and then collect that judgment against the liable party. This could include wage garnishment, asset attachment, and continuing collection operations. You can pursue alternative assets that can be seized if there is no insurance coverage.
All of this, however, necessitates legal counsel. It is practically impossible for an individual to navigate this complicated process with legal assistance from a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Mississippi
Here is a quick summary of the steps you need to take after a dog bite incident in Ridgeland, MS.
- Seek medical help as soon as possible.
- Take a photograph of your injuries.
- Report the bite attack to the police, animal control, or 911. It’s important to establish the dog’s aggressiveness history.
- Collect all medical documents related to your injuries.
- Get the dog owner’s information, including the dog’s vaccination records.
- Reach out to a Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney. You don’t have to file a lawsuit right away, but it’s important you know, and you weigh your options before taking any actions.
Call our Competent Ridgeland MS Dog Bites Attorney Now!
The most crucial and challenging aspect of bringing a personal injury claim involving a dog bite is proving negligence. It doesn’t help that each state has its own dog bite laws. This is why you require the assistance of a dog bite attorney in Mississippi who is familiar with the local regulations governing animal bites.
If you are dealing with long-term physical or financial effects from the dog bite, the Ridgeland MS dog bites attorney from The Rollins Law Firm can gather evidence and witness testimony on your behalf. Contact our personal injury lawyer immediately for a free consultation if you want to be compensated as much as you are entitled to for your injuries. Dial our number today!
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