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Billings Dog Bite Lawyers

The Advocates are personal injury lawyers who specialize in helping dog bite victims get fair compensation.

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You

Dog bites can be incredibly scary, especially if it’s a dog you don’t know. In many cases, it’s hard to know what might have caused the bite. You may be left hurting, scared, and without knowing what to do next.

Many dog bites aren’t serious and don’t require much treatment, but sometimes, a dog bite can cause significant pain and suffering. You may be left with severe injuries and potential disfigurement, as well as mental anguish. A severe dog bite can be challenging to recover from mentally, physically, and financially.

You don’t have to face your recovery alone. The dog bite lawyers with The Montana Advocates are here. We strive to help Montana dog bite victims get their lives back on track.

If the worst has happened and you’ve suffered an animal attack, contact a personal injury attorney with The Advocates for your free consultation today. We are here for you any time, day or night, to help you navigate the complexities of dog bite cases.

If you’ve been injured in an incident with a dangerous dog in the state of Montana, an Advocate can help. We are available around the clock to help you if you need us.

The Next Steps in Your Montana 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 any and 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 fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.  

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

 

If the dog attack 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, monitor your medical treatment progress, ensure you keep an accurate record of all relevant documents and facts to support your claim, negotiate and correspond with insurance companies on your behalf, 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. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will zealously pursue your claim through resolution.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process depends on many factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and much more.  

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several 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, if you do not resolve or file a lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right of action.  

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you focus on healing. Generally, once all evidence has been gathered and your medical treatment has been completed or you are back to feeling yourself again, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement on your behalf.  

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 lawsuit 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 together with you 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

Montana Dog Bite Statistics

Angry dog shows signs it will bite

Montana dog attack statistics

Common dog bite injuries 

Numerous potential injuries can be caused by a dog bite, ranging from no significant injury to severe injuries such as:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Broken bones
  • Eye and face injuries
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Bruising and lacerations
  • Tissue and nerve damage

Montana Dog Bite Laws

Yellow Labrador retriever being walked on a leash

Do dogs have to be on leash in public spaces?

Leash laws in Montana are generally left up to the cities and counties. Knowing the specific rules for your city or anywhere you visit with your furry friend is good. 

Below are some local laws for some of Montana’s larger cities. Always check specific rules to ensure you are following them.

Billings, MT: Dogs must be restrained by some physical means of control when off the owner’s property.

Bozeman, MT: Dogs must be leashed in public unless they are in one of the off-leash parks in Bozeman.

Missoula, MT: Dogs are allowed off-leash if they are under voice control outside city limits but must be on leash within city limits.

Great Falls, MT: Leashes cannot be longer than ten feet and must be securely fastened or held.

Does insurance cover dog bites?

Dog bites are generally covered by the owner’s home or rental insurance. Insurance should cover medical expenses up to the liability limit. After that limit, the dog owner is responsible for expenses.

Insurance companies often fight paying these expenses. If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries from a dog bite, it is essential to have someone on your side to advocate for your fair compensation.

aggressive barking dog behind fence guarding garden

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

In Montana, the dog owner is responsible if a dog bites someone without provocation in public or on private property if the victim is there legally.

It is not relevant whether the dog has a history of viciousness.

If the victim was trespassing, the owner is likely not responsible for the bite.

Personal injury lawyers can help you determine whether you’ve got a claim.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites?

Personal injury claims in Montana have a statute of limitations of three years; this includes dog bite cases. Contacting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is helpful to get started on your case. Three years can seem like a long time, but it goes by quickly.

Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.

Personal injury cases are all unique. Potential damages you can seek include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and loss of future earnings
  • Non-economic damages, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Funeral and burial expenses, in the event of the wrongful death of a family member

If a dangerous animal has attacked you, you should seek medical treatment and contact animal control. Creating a paper trail helps protect your right to seek damages. Once you are on the path to recovery, you can consider contacting an attorney to help with the legal system.

When Should I Hire a Montana Dog Bite Attorney?

Most dog bites likely won’t require a lawyer. If you don’t need medical treatment, lawyers are generally unnecessary. Unfortunately, some dog bites lead to physical damage, emotional turmoil, and lost wages. In these instances, legal representation may be in your best interests.

The Advocates law firm is here for those cases. Our attorneys have the experience in personal injury law to get you the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies don’t have your best interests at heart, but we do. We will fight to get the best results for you.

When you have an Advocate on your side, you are our priority. We aim to help you recover and get back to living your life.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve to have an empathetic attorney who is entirely behind you. You deserve an Advocate.

 

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