Dog bites may be unpleasant, frightening, and even traumatic in certain situations. Several victims are perplexed about their legal rights, the dog owner’s legal obligations, and the compensation to which they will be entitled. You have the right to seek compensation for the full amount of your losses in Hillsville. However, businesses and insurers are rarely eager to help their clients in their struggles. They require a monetary interest to resolve personal injury lawsuits in the smallest amount of time possible.
The Jackson Law Group, Hillsville personal injury lawyer team has the experience and skills to handle dog bite cases carefully and provide appropriate compensation for the loss and damage. They know how to help clients recover all damages they have to face. They listen to their client’s stories and answer all legal questions honestly.
Therefore, it is imperative for dog bite victims to know their rights in Hillsville, so that they can move accordingly –
Time Limit for Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits
In Hillsville, Virginia every dog bite victim has 2 years to file a claim against the dog owner. The 2 years start from the date of the incident. If the lawsuit isn’t filed within those 2 years, the court can refuse it completely.
One Bite Rule
The state of Virginia has a ‘one bite rule’ for dog bitten injuries. Hillsville’s ‘one bite rule’ allows victims to seek compensation if the dog owner was aware of the dog’s violent tendencies but did nothing to prevent an attack. Injury or death caused by dog owner’s negligence can also be grounds for a claim or lawsuit. Unfortunately, the lack of strictness for dog bite claims in Hillsville makes it difficult for victims to receive compensation.
Hillsville’s ‘Negligence Per Se’ Rule
Hillsville, Virginia requires dog owners to use proper care in restraining and controlling their dogs, whether or not the owner is aware that the dog is dangerous. If they are unable to abide by the rules the law allows anyone harmed by dogs to file a negligence claim for compensation. If the injured person can show that the harm was caused by the owner’s failure to take ordinary care to confine or manage the dog, he/she can recover a decent amount of compensation.
Defense Mechanism for Dog Owners
It is not that every time it is the dog owner’s fault. A dog owner in Virginia may use a variety of arguments like he/she was unaware that the dog may bite, the owner may claim ‘contributory negligence’ as a defense. Contributory negligence means that the victim was partially or entirely responsible for his or her injuries. For example, the dog’s owner may allege that the victim provoked the dog or trespassed despite a “Beware of Dog” notice.
Virginia is strict about dog bite injury rules. The best way to win a dog bite case is by hiring an experienced attorney.
