Washington Dog Bite Accident Attorneys

Committed to Holding Dog Owners Responsible for Their Negligence

You may be entitled to recover compensation if you or a family member have suffered injuries caused by a dog bite. Washington dog owners are legally responsible for keeping their animals under control in some instances, even when the dog is on private property.

Dog bite injury victims may be entitled to recover compensation that pays for lost wages, medical expenses, and psychological trauma.

Nevertheless, dog bite cases can often be challenging for injury victims to handle independently due to confusing Washington state dog bite laws. Or an insurance company may try to contest a claim by alleging the dog bite victim provoked the animal attack.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious dog bite injuries, contact Buckley & Associates immediately to schedule a free initial consultation. One of our highly trained Washington state dog bite lawyers will happily meet with you to address your concerns and determine available legal strategies.

What are Washington State Laws Rules Regarding Dog Bites?

Washington state dog bite laws hold dog owners strictly liable for any injuries that animal inflicts on others. Under state law, it does not matter whether the dog has previously displayed aggressive behavior or engaged in dog attacks.

Instead, Washington state dog bite laws stipulate that dog owners are liable for paying financial compensation to the injured victim if they were lawfully on the property.

A dog owner’s renter or homeowners insurance company will pay the claim. However, if the claim exceeds the specific coverage limit, the dog owner will be responsible for paying the difference.

If you have further questions about Washington’s dog bite statute, contact our law offices and ask to schedule a consultation with an experienced dog bite attorney. Our Washington dog bite attorneys will thoroughly assess your case to determine liability issues and how we can assist you in recovering full and fair compensation.

What Steps Should I Take If I Was Bitten By A Dog?

If you have suffered a dog bite, you must take several steps to ensure your health and well-being. The first step is to seek medical attention immediately, regardless of whether you have suffered severe physical injuries or a mild bite.

A significant amount of dog bite injuries are severe and require medical treatment. Even a mild bite, if left untreated, can lead to severe infection.

Other steps you must take after suffering a dog bite wound include:

• If you have suffered severe injuries, call 911 to report the incident.
• Identify the dog owner and the dog responsible for the animal attack.
• Gather evidence by collecting the names of bystanders who may have witnessed the attack.
• Take photos and videos of the scene, your injuries, the dog in question, and any other relevant information.
• Seek medical attention immediately. In many dog bite cases, insurance companies will try to deny claims if a medical professional has not examined the injured victim.
• Contact animal control to report the incident.
• Consult with an experienced Washington dog bite attorney who will assess your case and determine your legal options.

If you or a family member has suffered a dog bite injury, contact Buckley & Associates to learn more about how we can help you protect your legal rights.

Can Washington Dog Bite Victims Obtain Compensation for Their Injuries?

Even what could be considered a minor dog bite can result in a trip to the emergency room. However, a dog bite case could result in the injured victim needing significant medical treatment.

Even with health insurance, many dog bite victims are left to pay unexpected medical bills and other expenses for attack-related injuries. Additionally, many dog bite victims, especially young children, have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the attack.

Personal injury lawyers can assist injured victims in filing dog bite claims to help them recover economic and non-economic damages.

Some of the most common damages are awarded to dog bite victims to reimburse them for their out-of-pocket expenses. Some common expenses include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity

Additionally, other than compensation for their physical injuries, dog attack victims may also be able to recover compensation for non-financial losses, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring.

Buckley & Associates can assist you with filing a dog bite injury claim, which can help you recover compensation for expenses and intangible losses.

Contact our Washington state dog bite lawyers to learn more about the legal services we can provide to clients.

Why Should I Hire Your Dog Bite Lawyers to Help Me Obtain Compensation for My Injuries?

Buckley & Associates is a personal injury law firm that takes pride in providing quality legal representation for negligence victims.

We know many victims are hesitant to file dog bite claims to try to recover compensation. However, often, the only way to hold the dog’s owner accountable for their negligence is to file a claim with their insurance company.

Our experienced dog bite attorneys have comprehensive experience handling cases and will fight to help you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries.

If we agree to take your case, our Washington dog bite attorneys will assess your medical records, police reports, and other evidence to determine how much compensation you may be entitled to recover.

We will also act as your legal advocate with the insurance company so that you can focus on rest and healing. Finally, for your convenience, our legal staff is fluent in several languages to better serve your needs.

Contact Buckley & Associates at 206-558-8441 today to learn how we can help you file an insurance claim for your Washington state dog bite injuries.