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Dog bites and liability claims

On Behalf of | May 14, 2017 | Dog Bites

Dog bites can have very serious consequences. They can often happen when you least expect it. Many times, the bite comes from a neighbor’s dog or a friend’s pooch. While most people have mixed feelings about reporting a bite from a dog they know for fear of putting a friend in a financial bind, it is important to remember that insurance companies usually pick up the tab.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you should not have to pay high medical bills that resulted from the injury. Since dealing with insurance companies can be very difficult, you may want to consider seeking legal counsel. An experienced injury attorney in the Butler area can help you file a dog bite claim. Read further to find out more how damages are handled after a dog bite.

Liability covered by homeowner’s insurance

In many cases, homeowner’s insurance will cover the expenses associated with an animal bite. The caveat here is that the incident must have occurred on the homeowner’s property. In addition, the insurance company will typically only cover the first incident. This means that if the insurance company already paid for a previous claim involving the owner’s dog, then it might deny your claim and you will have to collect compensation from another source.

If the incident occurred away from the homeowner’s property, the insurance company may pay a lower amount on the claim. Keep in mind that homeowners’ insurance policies usually contain very specific language about off-site coverage.

Car insurance coverage

Depending on the circumstances, sometimes a pet owner’s car insurance will provide a victim with compensation. For example, if you were walking past a truck and a dog that was in the bed bit you then the owner’s car insurance might pay for your medical expenses.

Other types of insurance

Some pet owners purchase animal insurance for their dogs or other pets. In most cases, this happens if the owner has a pet that his or her homeowner’s insurance will not cover or if there has already been a prior incident.

No coverage

If the owner does not have insurance or if their insurance company denies the claim, you can still take legal action against the owner. Regardless of your relationship with the dog owner, you should still not have to suffer an economic loss due to medical expenses and lost wages associated with the bite.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite, you might be entitled to compensation. Whether you think the pet owner’s insurance will cover the damage or you need to file a claim against the individual, legal advice is beneficial.

Source: Nov. 30, -0001

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