Lifestyle

Dangerous Dog Attack Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

Published

4 years ago

August 13, 2022

Dogs are the most widely kept pets and are usually referred to as man’s best friend. While this is true, they can get aggressive when their animal instincts kick in or feel threatened.

When addressing the question of dog aggression, Jenna Stregowski, a Georgia-based veterinarian, states most dog bites happen when they feel threatened in some way. It is the legal and ethical responsibility of a dog owner or keeper to ensure that their canine does not pose a danger to other people.

Dog Bite Liability

Some states operate on “strict liability” under which the dog’s owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog irrespective of whether their actions contributed to the dog’s aggression or not. Under strict liability, the dog owner is responsible for dog bites even if they did not know or have a reason to know that the dog would be aggressive.

In other states, like Texas, a dog owner is only liable for a dog bite if they knew or were in a reasonable position to know that the dog was potentially dangerous. Whatever the law is in your state, if a dog bites you, you should consider speaking to a dog attack lawyer to review your chances of filing a claim.

Health Comes First

Dog bites can be very dangerous and could result in infections that can be fatal if not addressed. Therefore, seek medical attention first. Besides ensuring your health is taken care of, medical records are a critical piece of evidence if you intend to file a claim.

Dog attacks will often have similar characteristics, such as teeth marks and scratches that are easily distinguishable from other types of injuries. Capturing them in pictures or video using your phone camera can help give your lawyer the evidence required to build a strong case.

Report Your Injuries and File Your Lawsuit on Time

You may need to make a police report or file a report with animal control following a dog bite. Upon reporting, the police and animal control will investigate the incident and produce reports that are essential items of evidence in a dog bite lawsuit.

If you intend to file a dangerous dog attack lawsuit, it is crucial to understand the statute of limitations for dog attack injuries in the state where the injury occurred. After the statute of limitations expires, you may lose your right to compensation.

Settlements and Exemptions

“While you may have a right to compensation after a dog attack, it is also important to understand that there are limitations to your rights. If your actions provoked the dog’s aggression or if the attack happened while you were trespassing, you may not have a right to compensation,” says Attorney Lin McCraw from the McCraw Law Group.

The value of dog bite settlements can be significantly large. This is especially true if the attack was against a child or results in disfigurement. Ideally, fair compensation should cover all economic, non-economic, and punitive damages if applicable.

However, getting fair compensation calls for working with a dog bite lawyer. Statistics show that working with a skilled attorney can improve the chances of a fair outcome by many times over what you would likely receive otherwise.

Lifestyle

Finding the “Best Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me:” A Complete Guide

Published

8 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Michelle Langton

Getting injured in a car accident is a stressful time. After all, you could face serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.

Thankfully, a good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex moment in your life, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed finding the right one. If you are a resident of the Old Dominion and Googling “best injury lawyer near me Virginia,” look no further than the Richmond law firm Burnett & Williams.

One of the most common questions people ask about hiring an attorney after a car crash is “When should I contact a lawyer?” The answer is as soon as possible.

After receiving medical care, your next call should be to a personal injury attorney, as they will be able to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim. A sense of urgency will help them fight to get you the compensation you deserve and prevent you from making any mistakes with the insurance company that will hurt you in the long term.

An important thing to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury attorney is the statute of limitations, the state-imposed deadline by which a victim has to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving any damages for the accident.

Although the statute of limitations can vary from state to state, in many states, including under Virginia law, it is two years from the date of an accident. If you delay hiring an attorney, it gives them less time to prepare your case.

Why hire a personal injury attorney?

But what does a personal injury attorney do that helps your case? The main benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:

Investigation: After hiring an attorney, they will begin an extensive investigation process. They will collect all records, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos you took of the scene. They may also revisit the scene of the accident or consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, to build the strongest possible case.

Negotiation: Your lawyer will then get to work crafting a demand letter to the insurance company (or companies). One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that they handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Not only does this mean that you are less likely to fall victim to the insurance adjusters’ pressuring tactics, but it also allows you to focus more on what matters most: your recovery.

Trial representation: While many personal injury cases end in settlements, sometimes both sides cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. In these cases, your claim will proceed to trial, where it will be heard by a judge and/or jury. When a personal injury case goes to court, it is important to have a skilled trial lawyer on your side who is willing and able to argue your case.

How to determine which Virginia personal injury lawyer is best for your Virginia injury claim

However, it can be difficult to determine which personal injury attorney to hire. There are tons of radio ads, billboards, and Google search results that all claim to be the “best injury lawyer near me,” so how do you know which ones actually are the best? Attorney C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, guides us through what injury victims should look for when hiring an attorney.

One of the first things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney is their fee structure. The best personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the final settlement or award. These are the “we don’t get paid unless you win” guarantees.

While other specialties, such as criminal law, operate on an hourly basis, the status quo for personal injury law is a contingency fee. “Be suspicious of anyone who asks for an upfront retainer or hourly rate for your personal injury case, as this could imply that they don’t think they can win your case,” Williams advises.

It is also important to look for a law firm with a specialty area that correlates with your specific accident. “Not every lawyer is trained and equipped to handle every personal injury case,” explains Williams. “For example, truck accidents involve additional complex laws beyond the typical auto accident case. So do motorcycle accidents. An attorney who has only ever handled standard car accident claims might not be the right fit to handle one of these cases.”

But perhaps the single biggest factor to consider when choosing the best injury lawyer near you is their track record. “More often than not, experienced personal injury attorneys’ results should be able to speak for themselves,” says Williams.

If a law firm has good reviews online and has a history of winning big settlements and jury awards, chances are they are a good choice to hire. “And as a bonus, the better the reputation, the more leverage you get in the negotiation process,” Williams adds. “Insurance companies are often scared to go to trial against a lawyer they think they might lose to.”

If you are looking for the best Virginia personal injury lawyers, look no further than the skilled and experienced attorneys at Burnett & Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine if we can help get you the compensation you deserve.”