When a dog injures you, you may have the legal right to financial compensation for what happened. Before receiving any money, you must prove that the dog’s owner was liable for your injuries. You must also negotiate financial compensation because the insurance company will not make your case easy.
By hiring a seasoned Waco dog bite injury attorney, you maximize the chances of a more positive outcome for your case.
Cost worries should never get between you and the assistance you need from a dog bite injury attorney. The personal injury system encourages you to hire a lawyer by removing financial risks from you and placing them on the attorney. You do not need to pay a lawyer anything from your account for their time at any point in the legal process.
Your dog bite injury attorney is motivated to work towards obtaining the compensation you deserve. They do not get paid unless you do. They will access your case at the initial consultation to ensure you have a valid claim for compensation.
It’s a win-win situation and they will always work in your best interest.
When you hire a dog bite injury lawyer, they will tell you how much you can expect in a settlement and fight for you to get that amount of money. They will gather the necessary evidence to support your claim, including medical records, interviewing witnesses, and collecting any other relevant documentation.
Your attorney will also handle all communications with the insurance company and protect your rights throughout the process.
Your dog bite lawyer can build a strong case and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
State Laws on Dog Bite Liability
States have two types of laws that set liability for dog bites:
- Some states hold the dog’s owner fair compensation srictly liable for your damages when their dog bites you. (Some states extend strict liability to all types of attacks by a dog.) Strict liability means that the burden of proof shifts to the dog’s owner to show why you should not receive compensation. This law makes it easier for dog bite victims to receive a settlement check for their injuries.
- In other states, the one-free-bite rule applies. Here, the dog’s owner should use reasonable care to prevent an attack when they know their animal has previously exhibited aggressive behavior towards people or other animals. You must have evidence about the dog’s history and what the owner may have done to exercise reasonable care.
How You Will Receive Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury
The owner’s homeowners insurance policy typically covers a dog, and the insurance company will pay you compensation for your injuries up to the amount of the policy limit.
If your damages exceed the policy limit, you may sue the owner and hold them personally liable for the excess damage.
To seek compensation for a dog bite injury, you must file a claim against the homeowner’s insurance policy or a lawsuit against the owner in court.
First, hire a dog bite injury lawyer to get the most effective results in your case because dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task. Insurance adjusters work to protect the insurance company's interests, often at the victim's expense.
An experienced dog bite attorney will ensure no one takes advantage of you during the legal process.
You Do Not Have to Worry About Stretching Your Finances to Get a Lawyer
You may wonder how much it may cost to get a dog bite injury attorney working on your side. You may have limited funds, mainly because you have medical bills and may be dealing with other financial effects of your injury. You do not want to spend your money to hire a lawyer because you fear your financial situation will worsen.
A dog bite injury attorney makes it easier to get legal help in your case. Dog bite injury lawyers get paid like other personal injury attorneys, where the contingency fee system will govern their legal representation.
You Only Need to Pay When You Win
A contingency fee means you will not pay for your dog bite injury attorney out of your pocket.
Other types of attorneys get paid by the hour. For example, if you hire a family law attorney, they can bill you several hundred dollars per hour. Every task they perform for you, whether sending you an email or litigating your case in court, will result in a charge to you based on how much time they spend.
Dog bite lawyers get paid in an entirely different way.
After speaking with a dog bite injury lawyer during your free initial consultation, you will decide whether to hire them. Before they become your attorney, you will sign a contract with them that lays out the terms of the representation. One of the most important clauses of the representation agreement is the section on fees and how the dog bite injury lawyer gets paid.
You Pay Your Attorney From the Proceeds of Your Case
The agreement will specify a percentage of the case proceeds that a dog bite injury attorney will receive should you win. Here, winning is not just prevailing at trial, it means that you receive money in connection with your case, whether it is through a settlement check or a jury verdict in your favor. Winning your case triggers your obligation to compensate your lawyer.
The money you owe your dog bite injury lawyer will not come directly from your account. When the insurance company transfers money to you, it will first go into your dog bite lawyer’s escrow account. Then, the lawyer will deduct money to pay people with a claim or lien against the settlement check, such as a health insurance company or a medical provider.
Your dog bite injury attorney will take this money out of these funds before they transfer the balance to your account.
Your Lawyer Would Receive a Percentage of the Case
The representation agreement will lay out two different percentages. The attorney will receive a lower rate if you settle your case, typically around one-third of the amount of your settlement.
Your dog bite injury lawyer will get paid the same percentage regardless of how long it takes to settle your case. It can take a month or more than a year, and the attorney receives the same amount.
They may receive a slightly higher percentage if your case goes to trial because your lawyer invests significantly more time and takes even more risk.
You Pay Nothing if You Do Not Win
If you do not win your case, you do not owe your lawyer anything for their time and services. It does not matter how much effort they have devoted to your case.
Your dog bite injury attorney always takes the risk that they may not get paid as part of their job. Therefore, they want to know that you have a strong case before they are willing to work with you.
For example, suppose your state uses the law of strict liability. In that case, an attorney will likely have no issues accepting your case because there is a higher likelihood that they will receive compensation for their time.
If your state uses the one-free-bite rule, you can expect that the lawyer will have many questions to ask you about the facts of your case before they agree to represent you.
Legal Rules Govern the Fees
Your dog bite injury lawyer cannot charge you whatever percentage they want. Each attorney must follow rules of professional conduct that govern the fees they charge.
Few states limit the rate that the attorney can charge. Instead, the rules usually state that a lawyer cannot charge you an unreasonable fee.
You should not just hire the dog bite injury lawyer who charges you the lowest fee. Although costs are certainly a factor in who you hire as your attorney, also consider the lawyer’s experience and how they fit with you.
A lawyer can only charge you fees if the representation agreement clearly spells it out. The representation agreement may state that you must pay for certain expenses that your attorney will deduct from your settlement before you get paid.
In some cases, you do not have an obligation to pay certain fees regardless of whether you win your case. However, the representation agreement must specify these terms so you can consider them before hiring a lawyer.
You Pay Nothing Whatsoever for an Initial Consultation
Although a dog bite injury attorney gets paid when you receive money, one thing is entirely free: It costs you nothing to speak with a dog bite injury lawyer in an initial consultation.
An attorney wants to talk to you because it gives them an introduction to your case and the ability to sign you up as a client. A free initial consultation will help you learn more about your legal rights and the path forward.
You can ask the lawyer any questions, and they will take the time to answer you.
You must not wait too long to hire a lawyer for your case. The homeowners’ insurance company may try to make you a quick settlement offer and pressure you into trying to accept.
While you may have a legal right to full compensation, the insurance company may try to prevent you from getting the money you deserve. Hiring an attorney is the first step in that process, and it can keep the insurance company from taking advantage of you in a settlement.
Why You Need to Hire a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Even if the laws in your state make it likely that you will receive some financial compensation for your injury, you still need the help of a dog bite injury lawyer.
A settlement check is not always a victory, especially when you accept a settlement for less than the case is worth.
The real win is when the insurance company pays you every dollar that you deserve in damages. Insurance companies will not do that unless you have a dog bite injury attorney who can quantify your damages and negotiate with the insurance company.
A dog bite injury attorney will fight for you to receive the full compensation you are due in a settlement with the insurance company.
If the insurance company offers you less money than you deserve, your dog bite injury lawyer will advise you to reject the settlement offer. They may continue to negotiate on your behalf, or they may advise you to file a lawsuit. The threat of litigation only works when you have a tough attorney on your side who the insurance company fears.
A Dog Bite Lawyer is Standing By
Since you are taking no financial risk and getting legal help can increase the size of your settlement, it makes sense to hire a dog bite injury attorney. If you do not already have a lawyer, contact a Waco personal injury lawyer to discuss your case in a free initial consultation. Then, you can have peace of mind without paying any money upfront.
Hiring an attorney for your dog bite lawsuit can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. They will provide you with the legal experience, guidance, and support you need throughout the process. Let an experienced attorney fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
