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DOG BITE & ANIMAL ATTACK ATTORNEY
Las Vegas and Phoenix are home to a sizable population of pet dogs as well as a significant number of exotic animals including monkeys and lions.
Regardless of whether an animal is domesticated, certain circumstances may result in it attacking a person and causing severe injuries or even wrongful death. If you were hurt or a family member died due to a dog bite or animal attack, the Powerhouse Injury Attorneys are ready to help you pursue just financial compensation.
Steps to Follow after an Animal Attack
Dog bites and attacks by exotic pets are often the result of the owner negligence. If you or a loved one suffers harm in a dog or exotic pet attack, taking the following steps can help support your personal injury lawsuit:
- Seek immediate medical attention; if necessary, we can refer you to a physician
- Alert local authorities to report the attack
- Gather contact information for any witnesses
- Identify the animal and owner if possible
- Take photos or video of your injuries and, if possible, the animal and location where the attack occurred
- Do not provide statements to the animal’s owner or caretaker
- Do not provide statements to the insurance company of the animal’s owner or caretaker
- Do not sign any documentation from insurance providers
Compensation in Animal Attack Cases
A dog bite or animal attack can cause both serious injury and lingering emotional trauma. Financial compensation in animal attack injuries may include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological counseling
If you were hurt or a family member was killed in an animal attack, please contact us for your free case consultation. Our dog bite and animal attack attorneys can meet you at your hospital room or home to discuss your legal options with you. We value lifelong clients, if you have been injured in an accident we want to be the one firm you call.
It is extremely important to go to the hospital immediately after the accident; at the very least, you should be seen by your physician. You may not notice symptoms immediately, especially if you have suffered a concussion or an injury to the soft tissue. A delay in seeking medical help can weaken your case. The insurance company may use your delay to argue that your injuries are not serious enough to justify compensation, that your injuries were not a result of the accident, or that you are attempting to secure as much compensation as possible without having a meaningful claim.
If you have health insurance, the hospital or your doctor can bill your insurance company. The company can then seek to recover the cost of your care from the driver who was at fault. Depending on your policy, you may still be liable for copays or deductibles, but those amounts can be included in your suit.
Certain hospitals and doctors will treat people injured in car accidents on a credit basis. It depends on the liability issues involved in your case and the provider’s policies. Furthermore, if your automobile insurance includes personal injury protection or medical payments coverage, you are probably covered. Your policy may have limitations, and your insurance company may be entitled to seek recovery from the other driver’s insurance company.
It is possible, but it is neither likely nor wise. First, your attorney would need to be admitted to practice law in Nevada. Second, a local attorney is much more familiar with the Nevada court system, the judges, and the resources that you or your case may need.
If the owner of the vehicle gave the driver either implied or express permission to use the vehicle, the owner’s liability coverage extends to the driver. Express permission means that the owner gave explicit approval to the driver. Implied permission could be a history of the driver using the vehicle regularly. Furthermore, according to Nevada law, the vehicle’s owner is jointly liable for injuries caused by any member of his immediate family who resides in the home and who drives the vehicle.
The driver’s insurance or the insurance he obtained from the rental agency will include liability coverage. If the rental agency failed to properly maintain the vehicle, rented to a minor, or was otherwise negligent in its duty, the agency may also be included in your lawsuit.
If you are injured in an auto accident, you need to call the police. The police report will be a critical piece of evidence in your case. If you are mobile, you can take pictures of the scene and the damages, exchange information with the other driver, or ask witnesses for their contact information. Do not make any statements about your fault or speculate about what happened. As soon as possible, report the accident to your insurance agent or company.
It is advisable to consult an experienced attorney and follow his recommendations. The defendant’s insurance company will work hard to find evidence to undermine your claim, so the company’s representatives will want to know about your prior injuries or ask you to make a statement, hoping that you will offer something that can be used against you. It is best if you simply refer them to your attorney.
The first offer from the other insurance company is almost certain to be less than you deserve. However, after negotiating with the company, your attorney may recommend that you settle. It depends on your case.
You may be eligible for a variety of economic damages as well as noneconomic damages. In some cases, punitive damages can also be awarded.
- Economic damages are those that can be assigned a fixed monetary value. They include the repair or replacement of your vehicle, your medical expenses that are related to the accident, and your future and past earnings.
- Noneconomic damages are meant to compensate you for damages that cannot be assigned a fixed monetary value. They include your mental anguish if you suffer a mental or physical impairment, your pain and suffering, and your loss of the ability to enjoy life.
- Punitive damages can be assessed to punish someone where that was an intent to inflict harm, the driver was guilty of reckless endangerment, or the driver was driving under the influence or guilty of another type of criminal misconduct. An attorney who has extensive experience in the area of auto accident law can be an extremely valuable member of your team.
There is no simple way to determine whether you have a case unless you consult an experienced attorney. In general, however, your fault should be 51 percent or less. You must also have suffered financial loss or an injury as a direct result of the accident.