[gt-link lang="es" label="Se Habla Español" widget_look="lang_names"]
[gt-link lang="en" label="English" widget_look="lang_names"]
Nearly 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year. About 800,000 need medical care. These aren't just numbers—they're real people facing physical pain and significant medical expenses.
If a dog has bitten you, you might not know you can get money for your injuries. Many bite victims just pay their bills, not knowing they have rights.
At BAM Personal Injury Law, we help dog bite victims in Utah and Idaho get fair compensation. Our experienced dog bite lawyers know what you're going through. We build strong cases that get results.
Dog bite laws differ by state but share one goal: to protect victims and hold dog owners accountable. These laws determine who is responsible for payment, the damages you can claim, and the amount of compensation you may receive.
Knowing these laws helps you get the most from your dog bite settlement. Our team at BAM Personal Injury Law knows dog bite laws in Utah and Idaho well. We use this know-how to fight for what you deserve.
The 'one bite rule' occasionally grants certain dog owners immunity from liability for the initial instance of their dog biting someone. With this rule, you must prove that the owner knew their dog might be dangerous.
Utah doesn't use the one-bite rule – it follows strict liability for dog bites. This means dog owners must pay whether or not they know their dog might bite. Idaho partly follows the bite rule, so you need some proof of the dog's aggressive behavior or the dog owner's negligence.
These differences affect your dog bite claim and possible settlement. Our lawyers know how to build strong cases under both systems. We gather the right proof to hold owners liable and get you the most money.
In Utah, dog owners bear complete responsibility for any harm their pets cause, irrespective of the dog's past conduct. This policy simplifies the process for dog bite victims to receive compensation, as there is no requirement to demonstrate fault on the owner's part.
Idaho's laws mix the one-bite rule with negligence standards. Here, you might need to show the dog had acted aggressively before or that the owner wasn't careful enough.
We at BAM Personal Injury Law have years of experience with these state laws. Our team applies this in-depth knowledge to develop tailored legal strategies for each client. This state-specific expertise often leads to higher dog bite injury settlements.
In Utah, you have four years from the date of the dog bite incident to file your claim. Idaho gives you just two years. These deadlines are strict and rarely extended.
Waiting too long means you'll get nothing for your severe injuries. Even with a strong case, courts will dismiss claims filed after these deadlines.
Acting fast keeps your rights and makes building a strong case easier. Evidence stays fresh, witnesses remember clearly, and the link between the dog attack and your injuries is more obvious.
Each dog bite case has its own set of facts that affect its value. The amount you might get depends on numerous factors unique to your case.
Our knowledgeable dog bite lawyers look at these factors to give you a real estimate of what you might get. We look beyond averages to assess what your specific claim is truly worth.
The worse your injuries, the more money you'll likely get. Minor wounds bring smaller settlements, while severe injuries with deep cuts, broken bones, or facial scars can lead to much more financial compensation.
Permanent scars, especially on your face, hands, or arms, often result in bigger settlements. This is due to both physical pain and mental distress. When a dog's canine teeth cause deep wounds, the settlement value often increases.
Good medical records are key to proving your injuries. We help gather medical files, specialist reports, and expert testimony to show how the injuries affect you. These detailed records build your case for a higher settlement.
To get fair compensation, we often need to show the dog owner was careless. This might include letting a dog run loose, not fixing a broken fence, or ignoring leash laws.
Other examples include keeping a pit bull or other dangerous dog where it can reach people or not warning visitors about a dangerous pet. Even small mistakes can count as negligence.
We investigate each case thoroughly to identify all forms of negligence. Our team gathers evidence, such as neighbor statements, animal control reports, and property photos, to build a strong case against careless dog owners.
A history of bad behavior by the dog strengthens your claim. If the dog that bit you has attacked before, this proves the owner knew about the risk but didn't take the proper steps.
We work hard to find any past incidents involving animal bites from this dog. This includes reviewing animal control records, interviewing neighbors and previous victims, and searching for online complaints.
This proof of aggressive behavior often leads to much higher settlements. It clearly shows the owner knew their pet was dangerous and failed to prevent harm.
Most dog bite claims get paid through the dog owner's home or renter's insurance. These policies cover dog bites but have limits that can cap how much you can get.
Standard home policies might offer coverage of $100,000 to $300,000, though this varies. If your damages exceed these limits, getting all the money you deserve becomes more difficult.
We find all possible insurance that might apply to your case. Sometimes, multiple policies are available. We explore every option to make sure you have access to the most money for your settlement.
While knowing the average dog bite settlement helps, these figures only tell part of the story. Settlement amounts vary widely based on each case's details.
We focus on getting the most for your specific claim, not just an "average" amount. Our goal is to secure money that truly reflects your injuries and how the dog attack has changed your life.
The national average settlement for dog bite cases is about $50,000, but this can be misleading. Real settlements range from $10,000 for common dog bite injuries to over $100,000 for more serious injuries, with some reaching several hundred thousand dollars.
About one-third of all home insurance liability claims relate to dog bites. Insurance companies pay hundreds of millions each year to dog-bite victims.
At BAM Personal Injury Law, we use our experience to push for settlements that match your specific damages, not just statistical averages. This focused approach has helped many clients receive more than the average settlement.
Different types of dog bite injuries lead to different settlement amounts.
Minor injuries might receive $10,000 to $25,000, covering basic medical expenses and some pain and suffering.
Moderate injuries with scars or stitches often settle between $25,000 and $75,000. These cases include bigger medical bills and stronger pain and suffering claims.
Severe bites that require surgery cause permanent damage or leave visible facial scars and can lead to settlements of $75,000 to $300,000 or more.
The most serious cases, especially with children or attacks by pit bulls, can exceed $500,000.
Dog bite settlements should cover more than just your medical bills. The trauma often goes beyond physical wounds, affecting your emotional health and finances.
We fight for full compensation that addresses all your suffering. Our personal injury lawyers work to ensure your settlement covers both visible and invisible impacts, including emotional distress and future medical expenses.
Dog attacks often cause serious psychological trauma. Many victims develop a fear of dogs, PTSD, anxiety in public, nightmares, or depression after a dog attack.
The law counts these emotional injuries as real, payable damages. While they're harder to measure than medical bills, emotional distress can form a big part of your settlement.
We work with mental health experts to document your psychological injuries. Their expert testimony helps establish how deeply emotional distress affects your daily life. This approach ensures your settlement reflects both physical and emotional suffering from the attack.
If your injuries forced you to miss work, you deserve pay for those lost wages. This includes time missed for treatment, recovery, and any inability to do your job due to injuries.
In serious cases, dog bite injuries can affect your future earning potential. For instance, if you work with your hands and suffer permanent nerve damage, your earning ability may be permanently reduced.
We help gather proof of your lost income, including pay stubs, work records, and employer statements. For future earnings claims, we may bring in experts who can calculate the long-term financial impact of your injuries.
Making a dog bite claim involves several steps, from the first investigation to the final resolution. Understanding this process helps set realistic expectations.
We handle all legal parts of your case so you can focus on healing. Our team guides you through each stage, keeping you informed while managing the complex legal work. Most dog bite cases settle without trial, but we prepare thoroughly for every possibility.
The first step is gathering strong evidence. This includes photos of your injuries, medical records, and witness statements from anyone who saw the attack. Animal control and police reports also help if available.
You'll need to identify the dog owner and their insurance coverage. This information forms the base of your personal injury claim and helps establish liability.
We help with every part of this process. Our team collects all needed documentation, identifies responsible parties, and files your claim properly. We handle talks with insurance companies and ensure all paperwork is complete and submitted on time.
Dog bite claims sometimes involve complex issues that can affect your ability to get compensation. These special cases need careful handling and competent legal representation.
We have solved dog bite cases with many challenging aspects. Our personal injury attorneys know how to address these complications, protecting your right to fair settlement even in tough situations.
Comparative negligence means situations where you might share some blame. Insurance companies often claim victims provoked the dog, trespassed, or ignored warning signs.
If these arguments work, your settlement might be cut by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found to be 20% responsible, your pay would be reduced by that same percentage.
We build strong cases to counter these claims, protecting your right to full compensation. Our attorneys gather evidence showing you acted reasonably while the dog owner bears full responsibility for your injuries.
Most dog bite cases settle within 6 to 18 months. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries might resolve in just a few months. Cases with severe injuries take longer. We work efficiently to move your case forward while never rushing to accept low offers.
Even if the dog owner is someone close to you, like a friend or relative, you still have the right to pursue compensation. Most settlements are paid by insurance companies, not directly by the owner. Filing a claim typically doesn't create financial hardship for someone you know. We handle these sensitive situations with care while still getting you the money you deserve.
No, our representation of dog bite victims operates on a contingency fee arrangement, so you incur no initial costs.
If you've been injured by a dog in Utah or Idaho, BAM Personal Injury Law is ready to help you pursue fair compensation. Call us today for a free consultation about your case.
Our experienced dog bite attorneys will review your claim, explain your options, and answer your questions. You only pay if we win compensation for you. We understand the trauma you're facing after a dog attack. Let us take care of the legal battle while you focus on healing. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Kigan Martineau, a seasoned Partner at BAM Injury Law, is a champion for those injured in vehicular mishaps, including car, eScooter, and bicycle accidents. His legal journey is marked by notable victories against major trucking companies like Matheson, UPS, and Swift Transportation, where his strategic litigation has resulted in significant client settlements.
"*" indicates required fields