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Arizona Dog Bite Lawyer

If a dog in Arizona has bitten you or a loved one, an Advocate can help you recover.

Lawyer writes down notes at the head of a long table

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Your Case

Dogs are often called “man’s best friend,” and, in many cases, they live up to their title. However, dogs are still animals with the potential to attack. Dog bites are not always taken seriously, but they can lead to severe damages.

Dog bites can cause physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial damages from medical bills. After being bitten, it may feel like life will never go back to normal.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates have been representing dog bite victims for more than 30 years, so we understand what you’re going through. We are here to listen to your story, help you access medical care, and protect your rights under the law.

If you’ve suffered an animal attack and need an experienced attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates’ Phoenix dog bite lawyers today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your 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 any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Completed 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

Not all accidents require a lawyer. However, if the accident resulted in significant property damage or injury, it is a good idea to contact an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be long and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury attorney can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they went it alone.

The best way to find out if you have a case is to talk to a lawyer. Advocates offer free consultations – you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand the value of your case without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

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

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

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 a few years. It’s 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 Legal 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
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

You only pay if we win your case!

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Arizona Dog Bite Statistics

Dog Breeds that present high risk of biting

Arizona dog attack statistics

  • In a five-year period, more than 30,000 people in Arizona visited the emergency room with dog bite injuries.
  • During the same five-year period, dog bites cost Arizonans more than $55 million.
  • It is often assumed that large dogs, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and German Shepherd Dogs are the most aggressive breeds. However, Chihuahuas, cocker spaniels, and terriers also make the list.
  • More than 300,000 Americans visit the emergency room as victims of dog bites every single year.
  • Dog bites are particularly dangerous for children and elderly people, who may lack the strength and speed to get away from the dog.

When do dog bites often occur?

Any dog has the capability to bite or attack unexpectedly, but certain situations present a much higher risk than others. Dog bites are most likely to happen when:

  • A dog is approached by a stranger: Many dogs are uneasy around unfamiliar people. When approaching a dog you don’t know, it’s important to ask the owner of the dog if it is okay to approach.
  • A human breaks up a dog fight: If two or more dogs are fighting, it may feel instinctive to jump in and break it up. However, this puts you at risk of being seriously hurt, even if the dog is one you know. There are safe ways to break up a fight without becoming physically involved.
  • Aggressive dogs are unsupervised or unrestrained: Dogs without excellent recall training should always be on-leash and under close watch of their owner when in public or around other people and dogs.
  • Dogs are not properly trained and socialized: Dogs who have not received the socialization they need may bark, lunge, and bite when stressed. Dog owners should put plenty of time into training their dogs and exposing them to a variety of environments.
Two dogs play with each other

Common dog bite injuries 

A victim of a dog bite may suffer serious injuries after an attack. Some common injuries resulting from dog attacks include:

  • Punctured skin
  • Broken bones
  • Eye and face injuries
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Bruising and lacerations
  • Tissue and nerve damage

Arizona Dog Bite Laws

aggressive barking dog behind fence guarding garden

Do dogs have to be on leash in public spaces?

In general, leash laws are left up to local governments. Different jurisdictions have different laws regarding the leashing of dogs on public property. 

For example, both Tucson and Phoenix require that dogs be kept in a fenced yard on private property. When in public, dogs should be leashed at all times, unless in a designated off-leash area, like a dog park.

Dog owners are responsible for knowing the local laws and ordinances regarding pet ownership.

Are dog bites covered by insurance?

In most cases, dog bites are covered by renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policies. The dog owner’s insurance should pay for bite victims’ medical expenses up to the liability limit. After the limit has been reached, the owner of the dog is responsible for additional damages.

Renters Insurance form on a table and keys.
Aggressive dog is barking. Young man with angry black dog on the leash.

When is a dog owner responsible for a dog bite attack?

Arizona is known as a “strict liability” state. Strict liability law means that a dog owner is responsible for a dog bite under the following circumstances:

  • The bite occurs in a public place
  • The bite occurs when the victim is lawfully on the owner’s property or other private property (for example, mailmen or invited guests)

Whether the dog has a bite history or is known to be a dangerous dog is irrelevant under Arizona law. Dog owners are responsible the first time their dog attacks.

Dog owners are typically not responsible for dog bites that occur when the victim is trespassing on private property.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites?

For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.

In Arizona, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is one year. This is much shorter than the time limit in many other states. It is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after you have been bitten, in order to have the best chance at obtaining a settlement.

Attorney reviews contract with client

When Should I Hire an Arizona Dog Bite Attorney?

If you or a family member have been bitten by a dog in Arizona, you may be unsure of what to do next. Attempting to handle a dog bite lawsuit while already dealing with injuries and emotional anguish can be a stressful ordeal.

Additionally, insurance companies can be ruthless and will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility for your injury. They will try every trick in the book to avoid giving you the compensation you deserve.

The Phoenix dog bite attorneys with The Advocates have years of experience representing injury victims and negotiating with insurance providers. Our legal team is prepared to take on your dog bite claim so that you can focus on feeling better.

We are here to help every step of the way– our number one priority is your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who will fight for you. You deserve an Advocate.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

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