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Utah Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If you have been bitten by a dog in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah, 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

Dog bites can cause numerous life-altering problems for their victims, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial damages from medical bills. After a dog attack, it’s easy to feel hopeless and overwhelmed.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates understand the struggles you’re facing. We have represented thousands of accident victims over the last 30 years. We are here to listen to your story, help you find the resources you need, and fight for a fair settlement for your damages.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an animal attack and need an experienced attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates’ Utah dog bite lawyers today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for 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

Treatment Completed

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 don’t 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.

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.

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.

We Get Results

$500 Million

In Settlements

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

We only get paid if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

  • No need to schedule an appointment
  • No need to wait for an email response
  • Free online consultation
  • Talk directly with an attorney
Talk to a professional

Utah Dog Bite Statistics

Utah dog attack statistics

  • About 1 in 5 dog bite victims require medical attention after their attack, including stitches, vaccinations, and reconstructive surgery
  • 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.
woman walks a black dog toward a trainer
Common injuries from dog bites

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:

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

Utah Dog Bite Laws

white dog holds leash with mouth wanting to go on a walk

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. Some examples of local leash laws in Utah include:

Salt Lake County: Dogs are required to be on leash unless at designated off-leash trails or dog parks.

Provo: No animal may be at-large at any time within city limits. Dog owners are responsible for their animals getting loose, regardless of the precautions they took to prevent it or whether they knew their dog got loose.

St. George: Dogs are allowed in many public spaces as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs may be off-leash in designated dog parks.

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.

homeowners insurance policy with glasses and pen.
private property sign on a forested property

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

Utah has “strict liability” dog bite laws. This means that a dog owner is responsible if their dog bites someone 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 (such as mailmen or invited guests)

For example, if a dog owner fails to leash their dog in a public place and the dog bites another person, the dog owner may be found negligent and held liable for the victim’s injuries.

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 Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years. 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 shows paper work to client.

Why Should I Hire a Utah Dog Bite Attorney?

If you or a family member have been bitten by a dog in Utah, 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.

The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely try everything they can to avoid offering you fair compensation for your damages. They may try to claim that your injuries are not serious, or they may try to deny liability altogether.

The dog bite attorneys with The Advocates law firm have more than 30 years of experience negotiating with insurance providers. We are ready to protect your legal rights and help you get the settlement you deserve.

We are here to help every step of the way; we’ll provide sound legal advice, help you access medical care, and negotiate on your behalf. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who will go the extra mile for your dog bite claim. You deserve an Advocate.

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