Flint Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs are not always man’s best friend, and when they bite or attack people, they can cause tremendous physical and psychological damage. At Jay Trucks and Associates, we are dedicated to recovering compensation for victims of dog bites or attacks throughout Michigan – and have successfully handled dog bite claims including a $98,000 recovery for the family of a 5-year-old child that suffered facial injuries in a dog attack.

You can contact our firm by phone or online case form anytime, 24/7. The initial consultation with one of our licensed Flint dog bite lawyers is free of charge and there is no obligation for you to take legal action. Our attorneys do not receive payment unless we obtain compensation on our clients’ behalf.

Am I Eligible to File a Dog Bite Case?

You may be, if our attorneys are able to prove the attack fits the criteria in the Michigan statute governing dog bite claims. According to this law, when a dog bites someone without being provoked, and this happens on public property or private property and the victim is legally allowed to be there, the owner of the dog is liable for any damages suffered by the victim.

You are lawfully on the property if you are there as an invitee or licensee of the person who lawfully possesses the property. For example, if you were bitten by your friend’s dog and were a social guest at your friend’s house, you may be able to file a claim for compensation.

Trespassers – those who were illegally on the property, whether public or private property – cannot file a claim for compensation.

Proving you had a legal right to be on the property can be a challenge. We may also need to disprove claims by the owner that you provoked the dog. For example, the owner may say you provoked the dog, pulled its tail, startled the dog or taunted it and that was a reason for the attack.

Our Flint dog bite lawyers have extensive knowledge of Michigan dog bite laws and how to prove whether someone was legally on the property. We also know how to counter claims a victim provoked the dog.

Michigan’s Definition of a Dangerous Dog

You may have been attacked by a dog defined as dangerous under state law. The breed of the dog does not matter. The important thing is the dog’s behavior.

Dangerous dogs or animals are those that bit or attacked another person or seriously injured or killed another dog. This definition specifically excludes dogs who:

• Bite or attack trespassers on the dog owner’s property
• Bite or attack someone who provokes or torments the animal
• Responds to a situation in a way an ordinary and reasonable person would determine was meant to protect someone conducting lawful activity or who is being assaulted

What Your Claim May Be Worth

• Costs of treating an infection (rabies, MRSA, Pasteurella, Streptococcus)
• Surgical procedures
• Stays in the hospital
• Medical testing
• Travel to appointments with doctors
• Follow-up appointments with doctors
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Disfigurement
• Physical pain
• Emotional suffering
• Lost companionship
• Prescription medication

Compensation cannot change what happened, but it can help victims obtain the medical treatment they may need and deal with the other physical, financial and emotional challenges they may face.

Our attorneys understand how difficult it can be to deal with a dog bite injury. We offer a free consultation to help determine if you have a case and there are no upfront costs if you decide to pursue a damages lawsuit.

Deadline for a Michigan Dog Bite Claim

Generally, personal injury victims, including dog bite victims, have three years from the date of injury to file a claim. Missing the deadline may result in the case being dismissed from court. You may lose your opportunity to pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.

Sometimes there are exceptions to this deadline, so it is important to talk to an experienced attorney about the deadline for your potential claim.

You may still have time to file a claim. Call Jay Trucks and Associates today. 989-254-6113

Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Attorney

You may not know that injury victims who hire lawyers often receive more compensation than those who do not. This is particularly true when victims hire experienced attorneys with a track record of success.

Victims that have legal representation usually recover more compensation compared to those that do not have a lawyer.

At Jay Trucks and Associates, our attorneys have more than 150 years of combined experience representing personal injury victims.

We have obtained tens of millions in compensation for our clients and have extensive knowledge of relevant laws and the legal process.

We are aggressive negotiators who have many years of experience dealing with insurance companies. We understand the tricks they employ to discredit victims and try to lower the value of claims. We know how to defend the full value of a claim and are prepared to go to trial when necessary.

By hiring our firm, you can focus on your medical treatment while we deal with the legal process, including investigating the accident, talking to witnesses and evaluating your damages.

What Do I Do After a Dog Bite or Attack?

First, get away from the dog and to safety. You want to avoid being attacked again and suffering more severe injuries.

Medical Attention

Your next step is to get medical attention. Dogs can carry dangerous infections and the sooner you treat these infections, the better the outcome is likely to be. If you wait, an infection could become much more severe.

A qualified doctor will be able to diagnose all your injuries and begin appropriate treatment to stabilize those injuries.

If you are able, you can take steps to help stabilize your injury before you go to the doctor or an emergency room. Cover your wound with a clean towel to help stop the bleeding. You can also wash the area carefully with soap and water. Keeping the wound elevated can also help.

Reporting a Bite or Attack

Dog bites should be reported to Genesee County Animal Control. You can have them complete an animal bite report so they can take any steps they need to take to help protect others from the dog.

Collecting Evidence at the Scene

Whenever possible, accident victims should try to collect evidence at the scene. This may include pictures of injuries, the spot where the accident happened, property damage and anything else that may help show what happened.

Witness statements can also be very important. If there are any witnesses, ask them what they saw and take notes, or record a video of your conversation on your smartphone, with their permission.

This information can help your attorney determine if you may have a valid case against the dog owner.

Call Our Flint Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Dog bites can be much more severe than some people may believe. Some dogs carry dangerous infections that could even be life-threatening. The psychological damage from this terrifying experience can also take a tremendous toll on victims.

Schedule a free consultation with a Flint dog bite attorney to find out if you may have a case against the owner of the dog. We may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any other damages you suffered.

We offer all potential clients a free consultation, so they can talk about what happened, their damages and whether they may have a valid case.

We have a proven track record of recovering fair compensation for injury victims – more than $500,000,000 recovered for our clients. Founder Jay F. Trucks is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice.