Bitten by a dog in Chicago? The owner's insurance usually pays, not the owner.

Nobody expects to get attacked by a vicious dog when they leave the house. You could be walking in the park and think a dog looks friendly. But you never know when a dog can be dangerous or not. Just because a dog is on a leash doesn't mean they are friendly or can’t attack you. So, if you or your child are bitten by a dog, the best thing to do is seek medical treatment right away. After that is taken care, you should call the Chicago dog bite lawyers at TORKLAW as soon as possible.

If your injuries are serious, you should file a claim against the defendant’s insurance company right away. If the dog owner has their own house, you can file a claim against their homeowner’s insurance. If the attack takes place in a public place, this may not be an option. If this happens, you’re going to need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the pet’s owner.

Regardless of how your attack happened, it’s a good idea to talk to a skilled Chicago dog bite lawyer right away. At least have the review your case so you know whether you have a legal claim or not.

DOG BITE LAWS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

The law in Chicago is pretty clear when it comes to dog bites. If you’re in a public place and are attacked by a dog, the animal’s owner is liable for any damages that ensue. The same is true if you’re legally on their property when the dog bites you. You don’t need to prove that the dog has bitten someone before. You don’t even need to worry about whether they were on a leash or not. Of course, the law does require a few things if you want to demand damages.

First, you do need to prove that you were legally allowed to be on the property where the attack took place. You also are going to have to show that you were minding your own business when the attack took place. If the defendant can show that you went out of your way to approach or touch the dog, it will serve as a defense to your claim. Make sure you’re honest when talking to your Chicago dog bite lawyer at TORKLAW. You don’t want to tell them that you were totally innocent only to have them find out that you were taunting the dog. Worse yet, you don’t want them to learn at the last minute that you were trespassing on the owner’s property when you were attacked. This will make it very difficult for your attorney to prove you were innocent in the attack.

HOW TO PROVE THAT A DOG WAS DANGEROUS

Just because a dog bites you, that doesn't mean It's dangerous. There are times when the dog bite victim is found partially at fault. If you taunt the dog, you could be found liable. Or, if you do something to provoke the dog, the owner may not be responsible. It really depends on how it happened.

More often than not, the dog bite victim did nothing wrong. Either the dog wasn’t on a leash or the dog simply got away from the owner. Dogs are animals. Even the friendly dogs can get angry every now and then. You just need to be careful. But, if your Chicago dog bite lawyer can prove the dog is dangerous, it will be easier to prove your case.

WAYS TO PREVENT DOG BITE INJURIES

When it comes to avoiding an animal attack, you want to use common sense. There are a few things you don’t want to do when dealing with strange animals. Even if you think you know the dog, you want to follow a few guidelines. There are a few tips we recommend our clients at TORKLAW when it comes to dealing with animals. They include the following:

• Never antagonize or provoke a dog
• Do not approach a dog that you don’t know
• If you’ve seen a dog act viciously, steer clear of the animal
• Never approach a dog that isn’t on a leash
• Do not try to pet a dog that is sleeping or eating

Your Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer Will Demand Compensation for Your Injuries

Your Chicago dog bite lawyers goal is to get you and your family compensation for your injuries. This may include some or all of the following:

• Medical bills – The defendant will have to compensate you for any medical bills caused by the dog attack. This includes future medical treatment as well.
• Pain and Suffering – If your injuries are very painful, you may be entitled to pain and suffering. These damages are intended to compensate you for any mental or physical anguish caused by the dog attack.
• Lost wages or future income – If you can’t work as a result of your injuries, your Chicago dog bite lawyer can demand compensation. They’ll need to prove how much time you missed from work. They will also need to show that you will lose income in the future as a result of your injuries.

CONTACT TORKLAW'S DOG BITE ATTORNEYS TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

If you or your child are attacked by a dog, you probably suffered some pretty painful injuries. You need to focus on getting better. Let the experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at TORKLAW handle the legal side of things for you. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling personal injury lawsuits. They know how to negotiate with the insurance companies. They also know when it’s time to file legal action.

What you can do is call our office at any time and schedule your free, initial consultation. Sit down with someone who's handled cases like yours before. They can answer any questions you may have. They’ll even have a few questions of their own. And, once they review your case, they can give you an idea of what your case is worth. Just make sure to be upfront and honest with your Chicago dog bite lawyer. This way, they can prepare your case properly from the start.