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Dog Bite Lawyer Belvidere

Home / Dog Bite Lawyer Belvidere

Dog Bite Lawyer Belvidere

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that 4.7 million people are bitten by a dog in a year, with 800,000 of those victims requiring medical attention. Any dog can bite a person, and if it happens to you, it’s important to know what steps to take to treat your injuries and protect your rights.

What You Should Do When a Dog Bites You

Remember to take the following actions after you sustain a dog bite:

  • Take pictures: If your bite is serious, make sure to take pictures of everything – the dog, the dog owner, the wound, clothing damage, street signs, and so on. The pictures will support your case statements.
  • Get the dog owner’s name, contact information, and check their ID: This procedure is similar to that of a vehicle accident.
  • Report the dog bite to the police: When you file a report, the police will conduct an investigation, which may require the dog owner to take steps to prevent the dog from biting others in the future. Also, the police will create an unbiased incident report which can help you in court and settlement negotiations.
  • Determine if the dog has received rabies inoculation: Ask the dog owner for a history of vaccinations.
  • Seek medical attention: If you suffer a serious bite, get medical care as soon as possible to tend to injuries, and prevent infections.

Illinois Dog Bite Statute

According to Illinois law, the dog owner is at fault when the dog bites someone with a couple of exceptions: whenever someone is trespassing at the time of the dog bite or if the dog is provoked.

In order to prove a dog owner is at fault, the plaintiff must prove that:

  • The victim never provoked the dog
  • The victim did not trespass illegally at the time of the incident
  • The dog bite was the source of the injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites in Belvidere

Q: Does Insurance Cover Dog Bite Injuries?

A: Typically, dog bites are covered by homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance. Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover between $100,000 and $300,000 in damages, but some policies exclude specific dog breeds such as pit bulls and rottweilers.

Q: What if the Dog Owner Did Not Have Insurance?

A: While a dog owner is responsible for dog bites (except for the exceptions noted above), if they do not have insurance, it can be hard to collect a settlement. A Belvidere dog bite attorney can help by negotiating a payment plan with the dog owner.

Q: What if a dog bite takes place on my property, but the dog is not mine?

A: Under Illinois law, the dog owner is responsible for damages caused by the dog, so long as the dog is not provoked, and the victim is not trespassing.

Contact an Experienced Belvidere Dog Bite Attorney at Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd.

If you or your child are suffering from a dog bite, contact Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd. now to schedule a free consultation. A skilled lawyer with experience fighting for victims of dog bites will answer your questions and give you all the information you need to begin pursuing maximum compensation to cover your injuries.

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For your convenience, we have offices in Rockford and Streator.