Jay Trucks & Associates, P. C.

Traverse City Dog Bite Attorney

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

No Fees Unless We Win

Regardless of size, breed or gender, dog bites can cause significant physical and psychological suffering for victims and their families. Mounting medical bills to treat wounds and infections can also be costly.


Our legal team at Jay Trucks & Associates has spent decades helping injured victims in Grand Traverse County and throughout the state. We have successfully recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our clients and have succesfully handled dog bite cases including a recovery of $98,000 on behalf of a dog bite victim who suffered facial injuries.

I appreciate all of the work and effort that was put into my case. Thank you.
– R. Owens

Our initial consultations are 100 percent free and come with no obligation to pursue a claim. Meet with a Traverse City dog bite lawyer from our firm to learn more about your available legal options. We receive no payment for our services, not even an upfront retainer, unless and until we help you recover compensation.


There is no risk in calling our firm: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.


Do I Have a Dog Bite Case?

You may have a valid case, but we cannot know for sure until our legal team reviews the specifics of your situation. Under Michigan law, the owner of a dog may be held legally liable for any dog bite or attack you suffered on public or private property as long as you did not provoke the animal.

You must also have been lawfully allowed onto the property, either as an invitee or licensee, by the legal property owner. For instance, if you were bitten by a friend’s dog while visiting him or her, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation.

However, if you were illegally on the property as a trespasser, you will likely be unable to take legal action.

Our Traverse City dog bite lawyers are prepared to help conduct a detailed investigation to help prove your legal status on the property at the time of your injury and gather supportive evidence to help you build a strong case. We know what it takes to establish liability in these cases.


Get the legal answers you need in a free consultation. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047


How Michigan Defines a Dangerous Dog

In Michigan, a dangerous dog is one that bites or attacks a person, or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog or domestic animal that is on the property or under the control of its owner.

However, a dog is not considered dangerous if it:

  • Bites or attacks someone who is trespassing on the dog owner’s property
  • Bites or attacks someone who provokes or torments the dog
  • Responds in a manner that an ordinary and reasonable person would view as protecting someone who is engaged in a lawful activity or who is the subject of an assault

What is the Value of My Claim?

This answer will depend on your particular circumstances, such as the extent and severity of your injuries, medical expenses incurred for treating these injuries, as well as the cost for anticipated future treatments that may be required.

Generally, most dog bite victims may be able to recover the following economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages

These are your monetary losses from the accident that can easily be quantified, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Hospitalization
  • Surgery, including skin grafts
  • Imaging tests
  • Costs to treat an infection
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Travel costs to doctor appointments
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Medications, including antibiotics

Non-Economic Damages

These damages are harder to quantify because they carry no monetary value, such as:

  • Pain and suffering, both physical and mental
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of companionship
  • Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder

Although compensation cannot change the outcome, it may be able to help you obtain the continued treatment you need to make a recovery.


Our Traverse City dog bite attorneys are ready to take your call. Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047


Time Limits for Taking Legal Action

Michigan requires most personal injury cases, including those involving dog bites, to be filed within three years from the date of the injury. Failure to file before the three-year window will likely result in a court dismissal and losing the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

There could be exceptions to the statute of limitations that require you to file sooner or later. This is why we recommend reaching out to a Traverse City dog bite lawyer from our firm as soon as possible to discuss your applicable filing deadline. It takes time to conduct a detailed investigation and gather evidence to support your claim.

Why You Should Seek Legal Representation

You may not realize that injury victims who seek legal representation are more likely to obtain higher compensation than those who decide not to hire legal help.

Our lawyers at Jay Trucks & Associates have over 150 years of combined legal experience advocating for injury victims and their families. We have obtained millions in recoveries for our clients in the Traverse City area, throughout Grand Traverse County and across the entire state of Michigan.

We are well-versed in dog bite laws and understand what it takes to handle these types of injury claims. If you have a case, we are prepared to communicate and negotiate with the other side’s insurer and legal team. We know the tactics often employed by insurance companies and defense attorneys to try to get you to admit guilt or seem less truthful in an effort to devalue or deny your claim.

Our Traverse City dog bite attorneys are ready to handle the legal process on your behalf while you focus on what matters most – your health.


Give us a call at Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047 to see how we may be able to assist you.


Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog

These are some important steps you can take after a dog bite or attack to help protect your well-being and potential legal claim for compensation:

Seek Medical Treatment

It is important to seek immediate medical treatment. Even a minor untreated dog bite could lead to a serious infection, such as MRSA or rabies. A doctor can assess the extent of your injuries and provide an appropriate treatment plan.

Medical records from your physician may also be beneficial to your claim by providing an official record of your injuries that your attorney can directly link to the dog bite or attack.

Report the Dog Bite

Any dog bite or attack must be reported to the Grand Traverse County Health Department, regardless of whether or not the dog has been vaccinated. The dog will be quarantined or tested by the department.

Gather Supportive Evidence

If it is possible, try to obtain as much evidence at the scene. This includes pictures of the accident scene, any visible injuries, torn or bloody clothing, lack of fences or dog warning signs, or anything else deemed relevant. Be sure to obtain the name and contact details from the owner and information on the dog. Witness statements could also help support your claim to show that the bite or attack was unprovoked.

Speak With a Traverse City Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Dog bites can cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. If you have suffered physical or psychological damage after being bitten or attacked by a dog, we are ready to help.

Request a free consultation with a Traverse City dog bite lawyer from our firm today. You may be able to seek compensation to help pay for costs related to medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

There are no upfront fees. You only pay us at the end of the legal process if we help you obtain a recovery.


Call today. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047 to see how we may be able to assist you.