Portland Dog Bite Lawyers
You Deserve an Advocate!
Being injured in a dog bite attack can have serious consequences, especially if your injuries are left untreated. Annually, dog bites cost up to $500 million in damages, including hospital visits and time missed from work.
Each year, more than 4.5 million Americans fall victim to dog bites and attacks. While most severe attacks are attributed to breeds like rottweilers and pit bulls, even gentle-looking dogs can be capable of attack without warning.
A Portland Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one has recently been bitten by a dog, it’s crucial that you speak with a Portland dog bite lawyer immediately to learn more about your legal options.
Since 1993, the experienced lawyers at The Advocates Injury Attorneys have helped countless dog bite victims recover compensation for their injuries. We have handled numerous dog bite claims and negotiated with insurance companies to get personal injury victims fair settlements for their losses. Our dog bite attorneys are second to none.
The dog bite lawyers at the Portland Advocates are well-versed in Oregon statutes written specifically to protect the rights of dog bite victims. Our dog bite injury lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to help you determine who is liable and exactly what insurance coverage applies for your particular incident.
Dog Bite Injury FAQ
How much should I expect from my dog bite personal injury claim?
In 2014, the average dog bite home insurance claim was $32,018. This is an increase of nearly $5,000 over claims made in 2013. New York State had the highest reported average at a whopping $56,628 per claim.Since no two cases are the same, nor two injuries, you should not expect to receive this much if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Dog bite settlements depend on the severity of the attack and the length of medical treatment required. For more information contact an attorney at The Advocates Law. We’ll answer all of your questions.
Who is responsible for my dog bite injury?
Dog bite cases can become rather complex and the relevant law tends to vary from state to state, and even from one county to the next. For further information contact The Advocates. Our attorneys are experts in dog bite law.
How long does a dog bite case typically take to settle?
The short answer is months, if not years. If your case is clear cut and liability is easy to determine, then your case could settle out of court and be concluded within 4 to 12 months.If your case does go into litigation, then it may not settle for a number of years. The discovery phase following the filing of lawsuit can be anywhere between 6 to 12 months. The good news is that most personal injury cases never go to trial.
Why should I hire an Advocate to represent my dog bite injury claim?
An attorney with the Advocates is not your average dog bite lawyer. What separates the Advocates from other personal injury law firms is our dedication and determination to help our clients make the best recovery possible after they’ve been injured due to the recklessness of a dog owner. We take pride in being a voice for our clients in a legal system that favors insurance providers over everyday people. Our attorneys are experts in Washington State dog bite law and know how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Unlike other dog bite attorneys, the Advocates will fight for your case until the bitter end. Where other law firms give up if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim, the Advocates refuse to quit. We will take your case all the way to court to get you the compensation you deserve. Why settle for second best when you can have an Advocate represent your dog injury claim? Call our office today at (206) 452-4200 or chat online right now with a live attorney from our homepage. Your dog bite case deserves a dog injury lawyer with the Advocates!
With any significant injury there are likely to be medical bills. Having a firm capable of guiding you through the billing process can go a long way in alleviating stress and allowing for a faster recovery. Here are the most commonly asked questions relating to personal injury billing:
How does the billing process work?
There are four things we look for when it comes to handling your medical bills. The first thing we will check is whether you carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your auto insurance. If you have PIP, then it will start paying your medical bills as you incur them.
If you do not have PIP, we can bill to your health insurance, but you might be on the hook for your deductible or copays.
If you do not have PIP or health insurance, you can always pay out of pocket.
Lastly, for those who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, we are sometimes able to get providers to put bills on hold and delay payment until the end of your case.
Once you’ve retained an attorney, your team will assist with billing and advise you on your best options for taking care of your bills.
What if you can’t afford treatment?
As treatment is very important for your recovery after an accident, some medical providers may offer to treat you on a lien. A lien is an agreement between you and your medical provider that allows you to delay payment until your case is settled.
Not all medical providers will provide this service, so be sure to consult with your attorney first.
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
Navigating the personal injury claims process can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about how personal injury cases typically unfold:
How long before you must decide whether to hire a lawyer?
In the state of Washington, the statute of limitations on a negligence claim is generally 3 years, with some minor exceptions. If you feel you need legal representation, we recommend securing an attorney as early as possible, since it can often be difficult to find representation when nearing the expiration of the statute of limitations.
What happens if you retain an attorney?
When retaining an attorney, you leave most of the work to your attorney and their team. We will first notify all involved parties (insurance carriers, medical providers, etc.) that we are representing you. We will make sure all your bills will be taken care of. Once your treatment is complete, we will begin working to get you a fair, reasonable bodily injury settlement. We take care of your case so you can concentrate on getting better!
Do you have to sue?
At The Advocates, we do our best to settle your accident claim fairly and equitably before resorting to filing a lawsuit. However, we will always do what’s best for you, to be sure you’re appropriately compensated for your injuries. This may include filing a suit or litigating your case if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair offer.
Will you have to go to trial?
Some cases do go as far as a trial, but not without exhaustive efforts by our firm to settle your case first. Your legal team will be in full communication with you through every step of your case. We will discuss your options with you as the case proceeds. In many instances, pushing for a trial when it’s in your best interest will lead to a higher settlement offer before the trial even starts.
Although it’s a last resort, going to trial is one of the best tools available when the insurance company refuses to do what’s right.
How long is the process going to take?
While you are still being treated, we usually don’t move your case toward the settlement process. This is to ensure your request for compensation includes all relevant medical treatments and that no additional or unexpected bills will arise after closing out your injury claim. Once your treatment is complete, we can then start moving your case forward.
Once care is complete, we begin gathering information such as medical bills and medical records, which can take around 8-12 weeks. Once the information is forwarded to the insurance company for settlement purposes, your case may be completed in 60-90 days. However, it can take much longer if litigation is needed.
Your attorney will be in direct contact with you throughout the settlement process to discuss offers and recommendations.
What if you need money now?
We know sustaining injuries in an accident can come with considerable financial ramifications. If you need money urgently before your claim is settled, there are legal loans that can be taken against your future settlement. However, these loans typically come with significant penalties and high interest rates, so we tend to discourage our clients from taking them. Because everyone’s circumstances are unique, we are happy to discuss your options with you should the need arise.
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
What To Know About Oregon Dog Bite Laws:
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Portland, or anywhere in Oregon State, there are a few key things to know. The most important is that, like many personal injury claims, dog bite lawsuits are time-sensitive. It is necessary for you to file your dog bite claim within the first two years following the date of the incident.
Dog bite claims can also be extremely complex. Sorting out issues like determining liability, understanding insurance policies, and recovering any lost wages resulting from your injuries can be difficult to do on your own. An experienced dog bite lawyer can explain all you need to know about building a strong claim.
Liability Issues
Dog bite cases can be rather complicated and the relevant laws tend to vary from state to state. Luckily, when it comes to determining who is responsible for your dog bite injury, Oregon is a “strict liability” state. This means that as long as you or the person injured in the dog attack was not trespassing and did nothing to provoke the animal, then the dog owner is responsible for any damages caused by the dog’s bites. All you need to determine this liability is proof that the dog bite did indeed cause you injuries. The Portland dog bite attorneys at The Advocates are experienced in collecting the evidence needed to determine who was at-fault for your dog bite injuries.
Homeowners Insurance Policies
Since most dog bites occur in the home of a friend, neighbor, or family member, dog bite victims can often be reluctant to pursue an insurance claim. After all, no one wants to sue a friend or loved one.
What many people are unaware of is that in Oregon, the dog bite owner’s homeowners insurance policy is what will compensate you for your injuries and losses. Thankfully, homeowners insurance generally covers any dog bite by the policy holder’s dog. Getting an insurance company to cover these types of claims usually isn’t the problem. What is a problem is figuring out if a dog’s owner has some sort of homeowners/renter’s liability policy in the first place. The last thing dog bite victims want to do after being injured in an unprovoked attack is to read through a dense and confusing insurance policy. This is why hiring a skilled attorney can be instrumental in getting the settlement you deserve.
What a Portland Dog Bite Attorney Can Do For You!
There are many good reasons to hire a Portland bog bite lawyer to handle your injury claim. Out of the millions of Americans bitten by dogs each year, less than 5% of victims receive compensation for their injuries and losses. Our injury attorneys are different. We can help you with the following:
- Obtain maximum compensation for your injuries
- Build the strongest dog injury claim possible
- Compile your comprehensive medical records
- Speak with your employer about missed work
By hiring an Advocate, we will negotiate with pushy insurance adjusters on your behalf to get the settlement you deserve. You can call our office today for a free consultation!
Experienced Portland Dog Bite Lawyers
Since no two dog bite injuries are the same, it’s important to understand your settlement amount will be based on a combination of factors. Most dog bite settlements depend on the severity of injuries and damages suffered. Damages often include medical bills and expenses, loss of past or future wages and income, as well as emotional suffering, scarring and other pain.
The dog bite attorneys with the Portland branch of The Advocates are experienced negotiators who know precisely how to get you maximum compensation for your dog bite claim. If the insurance companies refuse to play fair, then our litigation team will take your injury claim to court and bring you the justice you deserve.
You Deserve an Advocate!
At The Advocates, we serve as a voice for dog bite victims in Portland and throughout Oregon State. Our firm not only has the experience you’ll need to pursue your dog bite claim, we are completely dedicated to you and your recovery process. We make your needs our top priority and will fight for you until the claim is resolved and there’s money in your pocket.
Unlike other personal injury law firms, The Advocates won’t quit until you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t settle for second best. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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