Orange County Dog Bite Accident Attorneys

Acting immediately can preserve vital evidence of your claim

The firm of BISNAR | CHASE handles numerous dog attack cases each year. The most important aspect of prosecuting an Orange County dog attack case is to secure evidence as quickly as possible. We have our investigator on the scene, usually within an hour of notification, in order to gather and preserve evidence. The evidence that we seek to obtain immediately is the identity of the dog and its owner, photographs of the dog, identity of witnesses, witness statements, and photographs of the injuries and location of the attack.

In our experience the most dangerous month for dog attacks is August. The days are long, it's been hot for months, the gardeners are coming and going and children are generally home from school, making for a dangerous combination.

Children are the most frequent victims

Children are most often the victims of serious dog attacks for several reasons. They are boisterous, loud and make unpredictable movements that can scare dogs. And what a child might see as an expression of love - a simple hug - can be an explicit threat to the animal.

California is first in the nation in fatal dog attacks. Insurers nationwide pay out in excess of $1 billion in claims related to dog bites annually. One-third of the money paid out through homeowners' liability claims are related to dog attacks.

The most vicious breeds

In the period from 1979 to 1996 there were 154 reported fatal dog attacks. Five breeds accounted for two-thirds of those attacks. Those breeds, in order of the most fatalities, are: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky, Alaskan Malamute. Pit Bulls were responsible for twice as many fatal attacks as any other breed and over half of all fatal attacks. We have handled more cases involving Rottweilers than any other breed.

Alarming statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents and the U.S. Postal Service complied a startling array of statistics about dog attacks. Here are some of them:

There are approximately 4.7 million dog bites per year nationwide.

The number of dog bites requiring medical attention has increased 15 times faster than the increase in dog ownership.

There are more than 850,000 dog bites requiring medical attention in the U.S. yearly.

In a twelve-month period from 1995 to 1996, at least 25 people in the U.S. have died from dog attacks, 20 of whom were children.

Letter carriers suffer about 3,000 bites annually as they deliver the mail.

Proving your case under California law

It is not necessary for the Plaintiff (injured person) in a California case to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite. One bite alone is sufficient to support liability. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, all the Plaintiff must prove to recover for a dog bite injury in Southern California is:

• The defendant owned the dog
• The dog bit the Plaintiff
• The Plaintiff was lawfully on the premises where the bite took place
• The bite caused the Plaintiff injuries

If you have been seriously injured in a dog bite accident, you need the advice of an experienced Orange County Dog Attack Injury Lawyer. Call BISNAR | CHASE today for your FREE CONSULTATION or click here to fill out our convenient and confidential on-line case evaluation form.

800-561-4831

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BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 - Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for three consecutive years.