The State of New Jersey has a clear law regarding animals and what happens when they injure people. A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that 4.7 million animal bites occur in the USA every year. That is a frightening statistic. But knowing how to spot dangerous breeds of dogs and recognizing the warning signs will help make you feel safer, and possibly help you prevent a dangerous dog bite. In the worst-case scenario, if you do get a dog bite, you should know what steps to take right away. And, how to protect your legal rights.

How to Identify Dangerous Dogs

One must be aware that not all dogs will show warning signs before becoming aggressive. Some dogs will react to a perceived threat or annoyance without giving you a chance to retract first. The most common signs that a dog is about to attack are growling, snarling, and snapping. If a dog growls at you, the sensible thing to do is get away from the animal. Another thing to be aware of is an aggressive dog will stand tall. And, the dog will often exhibit its tail and ears in the erect position. Some breeds are famous for being statistically more likely to show aggressive behavior. Some of them include the pit bull, the rottweiler, and the German shepherd.

Knowing What to Expect

The average dog bite-related hospital stay costs upwards of $18,000 but dog bite attorneys can often get that money reimbursed and paid by the owner of the vicious dog. In fact, the average cost per claim has steadily risen, reaching a 90 percent increase from 2007 up to now. Not surprisingly, over a third of the liability claims paid by homeowners have been related to injuries caused by their dogs. This totals the staggering figure of over 700 million dollars.

New Jersey is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means the owner of the dog is almost always liable whenever his or her dog bites someone. In a dog bite lawsuit, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance will usually cover the claim. However, those limits of available insurance typically range from $100,000 to $300,000. While the owner is considered strictly liable for any dog bite injury, this may not apply if the person injured was trespassing.

What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Dog

Seek medical attention immediately. If you cannot get treatment immediately, pressing lightly on the wound will cause some bleeding that may help flush out some of the bacteria that might be present. Then, wash the wound with soap and apply an antibiotic cream to the wound.

Are You a Victim of a Dangerous Dog Bite? Call Rossetti and DeVoto, PC

Once you have sought medical attention for your wound, you should contact an experienced lawyer to make sure your rights are protected. There is no reason why you should feel powerless after being attacked by a vicious dog or any other animal. At Rossetti and DeVoto, PC, we know how important it is to have someone in your corner, and we are ready to prosecute your claim no matter how big or small. Contact us now for a free consultation at (844) 263-6260.