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Williston Dog Bite Lawyers

The Advocates is a personal injury law firm specializing in dog bite cases.

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Your Case 

The fallout from a dog attack does not stop when you are fully healed. That is just one aspect of the recovery process. You may also need to deal with the insurance company of the dog owner and go to therapy for emotional distress.  

Rural states tend to have high pet ownership, and no state is quite as rural as North Dakota. Folks walk their dogs on Main Street, take them hunting, or just let them sit on the front porch. Canines are everywhere. Just know that if you have done nothing to provoke the dog and it attacks you, the dog owner is probably the one responsible for the attack.  

This means you can file a dog bite claim to help pay your medical bills, recoup lost income, and even receive restitution for lifelong injuries like disfigurement.   

Reach out to our Williston personal injury lawyers. Your Advocate will provide you with legal representation, giving you the mental liberty to recover in peace. Contact us today for a free consultation!

The Next Steps in Your North Dakota Dog Bite Case

Injury

Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.  

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.  

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.  

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.  

If the dog’s conduct resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.  

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.   

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime.  

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.  

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.  

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.  

A Team of Dog Bite Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their injuries, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a fair resolution of your claim 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

The Responsibilities of Dog Owners in North Dakota

Aggressive dog is barking. Young man with angry black dog on the leash.

The laws around a dog bite  

North Dakota does not have dog bite laws governing dog owners’ responsibility for their dogs’ actions or laws assigning liability after a dog bite. Instead, courts often use the one-bite rule.  

This rule states that a dog owner cannot be sued for the first time their dog bites someone because they did not know their dog was aggressive or dangerous. This rule is not written in stone, and if you are the victim of an animal attack, you can still file a claim. 

Proving negligence on behalf of the dog owner  

To file a personal injury claim, a dog bite victim must prove the dog owner was negligent by not exercising reasonable care for their pet.   

The case Sendelbach v. Grad established that negligence laws apply to dog bites. A plaintiff must show that their dog bite injuries result from the defendant’s negligence. Three points must be proven:   

  • The animal’s owner had a duty of care to prevent it from causing injuries  
  • The owner failed to live up to this duty  
  • The breach of duty directly caused the injuries 
Close up focus on courtroom microphone with attorney in the background.
German Shepherd attacking dog handler during aggression training.

The most common dog bite injuries   

Even if you do not think you have severe injuries from a dog bite, you should still seek medical care. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 81 people died from dog attacks in 2021. Dog bite injuries can be more serious than they appear due to rare but still prevalent diseases such as rabies.   

These are the common injuries dog bite victims face:   

  • Punctured skin   
  • Broken bones   
  • Eye and face injuries   
  • Scarring and disfigurement   
  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Tissue and nerve damage  
  • Post-traumatic stress  
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

How to approach a dog you do not know 

It would be hard to establish a case on your behalf if the animal attack occurred due to your poor choices. Follow these steps to stay physically—and legally—safe:  

  • Don’t pet random dogs: While furry friends are adorable, you don’t have to pet them. It is the best way to ensure you are not injured through any fault of your own.  
  • Ask permission: Ask permission from whoever is responsible for the dog. They usually know the dog quite well and can provide you with any necessary guidance on the best way to approach it.   
  • Assess the dog’s body language: Is the dog standing up with a stiff tail? Is it baring its teeth and snarling? In that case, even with permission from the owner, do not pet the dog.  
  • Adjust your body language: Dogs are expert body language readers. Approaching slowly and calmly usually means the canine will act the same way. Don’t stare it directly in the eye; many dogs see this as a threat. Speak softly and let the dog smell you before petting it.
Group of friends meet in the park with their dogs.

A Dog Has Bit You, What Next?

homeowners insurance policy with glasses and pen.

Does insurance cover dog bites?  

Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance covers dog bites through personal liability coverage, meaning you are covered up to a limit when your negligence causes someone to be injured.   

Keep in mind that not all policies cover animal attacks, and some don’t cover certain dog breeds, such as Rottweilers, Pitt Bulls, and German Shepherds. Dogs with a history of aggression or biting probably won’t be covered.  

What damages can I seek in my dog bite case?  

The damages you can seek depend on the nature of your dog bite injury claim. No two cases are ever the same in law, which means even an experienced Williston dog bite lawyer cannot predict the trajectory without first doing a case evaluation.    

The following are commonly sought damages in a personal injury case:    

  • Medical expenses  
  • Pain and suffering  
  • Emotional distress  
  • Lost income and loss of future earnings   
  • Non-economic damages such as emotional trauma   
  • Funeral expenses for a loved one   
Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites?  

A dog bite claim is no different from other personal injury cases. Therefore, a dog bite victim generally has six years from the incident to file a claim.   

Steps to take after getting bit by a dog  

  • Get away from the dog 
  • Seek medical attention 
  • Obtain information about the dog owner right away 
  • File a report with law enforcement 
  • Document everything by taking pictures or videos of the dog, the injury, where the bite occurred, and any other piece of evidence 
  • Follow up with a doctor to ensure you haven’t contracted rabies or other diseases 
  • Call a personal injury lawyer to get legal advice 
man using smartphone taken dog sitting photo

When Should I Hire a North Dakota Dog Bite Injury Attorney?

The specifics of your case will determine how long it takes to get a settlement. The sooner you begin your personal injury claim, the sooner you can put this chapter of your life behind you. North Dakota law gives you six years to seek compensation for a dog bite injury.  

This means North Dakota has one of the longest statutes of limitations for personal injuries. However, you should not take this as an invitation to begin the process several years after the dog attack.  

The Advocates law office has years of experience in multiple practice areas of personal injury law. We know the importance of filing a dog bite claim as soon as you physically can. Our attorneys will pursue the best outcome for you. We are here for everyone in Fargo, Williston, Bismark, and every other part of North Dakota.  

You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate.

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