When a person is bitten by a dog, they can suffer serious injuries that sometimes leave behind permanent scarring. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 31 people died of dog bite attacks in 2016 alone and hundreds were injured. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to contain them and prevent them from harming others. When a person becomes the victim of a dog bite, they have the right to hold the owner accountable for their injuries. Victims of vicious dog bite attacks should seek legal help from personal injury attorneys in Tucson.
Like all other states in the Union, the state of Arizona has adopted a specific law that covers dog bites. For an injured victim to be able to hold a dog owner responsible, they must prove the following:
* The person who was injured must have suffered an actual dog bite. Other injuries caused by dogs fall under different statutes and must be pursued in a different way.
* The bite must have occurred while the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property.
The state of Arizona is a strict liability state, which means a dog owner can be held accountable even if they were not aware that their dog had a propensity for biting. There are two main defenses a dog owner might rely on when fighting a liability injury claim. If the dog was provoked in any manner, the owner may not be held liable for the damages caused by the bite of their dog. The owner may also be able to fight the claim if they can prove the victim was illegally trespassing.
When a person becomes the victim of a dog bite, they need to promptly seek legal help from personal injury attorneys in Tucson. The statute of limitations in the state is two years from the date of the bite so it is important a person does not wait too long to file a lawsuit.
If you have become the victim of a dog bite, allow the lawyers at Price and Price Law to help you. Call them so you can schedule your consultation appointment.
