Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend, and in many cases, the label is true. However, dog bites can happen any time, anywhere, and they often leave lasting damage. Dog attack victims often face serious injuries, emotional trauma, and expensive medical bills.
The experienced Omaha dog bite attorneys with The Advocates are here to help. We understand the difficulties you are facing after your dog bite injury and are ready to assist you throughout the entirety of your recovery. We will be here to protect your legal rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and be your voice in the legal process.
If you or a family member suffered an animal attack in Omaha, Lincoln, or elsewhere in Nebraska and need a competent, caring attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates law firm today for a free consultation.
Immediately after your accident, check for injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery
Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident 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 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 lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.
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 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.
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
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:
Dog bite injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common injuries dog attack injuries include:
Nebraska prohibits dogs running at large in counties of 80,000 or more inhabitants. Dogs are also required to have collars with tags identifying the owner. Many municipalities have their own leash laws as well, prohibiting dogs from running off-leash unless in a designated dog park or trail.
Dog owners are responsible for knowing and adhering to local laws and ordinances regarding pet ownership.
In most cases, dog bites are covered by the dog owner’s rental or homeowner’s insurance. 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.
Nebraska observes strict liability when it comes to dog bites, under Nebraska Revised Statute 54-601.
This statute states that dog owners are liable for their dog biting any person other than a trespasser on their private property.
The dog bite statute also covers property damage or other injuries caused by a dog. You generally will not have to prove negligence in order to recover damages, but you will need to be able to show that the dog caused your injuries and that you were not trespassing.
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 Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 4 years. However, it is a good idea to file your claim much sooner than that. Personal injury cases can take a long time to settle, so it is a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible before the statute of limitations is up. As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so they may begin working on your claim.
If you were injured by an aggressive dog, you likely have a lot on your plate. Between reporting the attack, seeking medical treatment, ensuring your bills are paid, and negotiating with insurance companies, the claims process can quickly become overwhelming.
Additionally, the dog owner’s insurance company will likely do whatever they can to avoid compensating you fairly for your injuries. Fighting insurance providers can be a stressful, upsetting experience, particularly if you attempt to do it alone.
The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates are committed to fighting for your rights. Our team is standing by to take care of your dog bite claim so you can focus on feeling better.
The Advocates personal injury law firm will be there to listen to your story, offer sound legal advice, and be your voice in the personal injury process. Contact us today for a free consultation. You deserve an attorney who truly cares about your recovery. You deserve an Advocate.