Dog Bite Statistics

Newport Beach is known for its love of dogs. From dog-friendly cafes and restaurants to the city’s many dog parks, our four-legged friends have no shortage of places where they are welcome. Unfortunately, California also leads the nation in dog bite injuries, which means you can never be too careful when you’re out and about, visiting friends, or at the park with your pooch. Learning about dog bite statistics can give you a clearer sense of what to be on the lookout for and how serious the problem is, but if you find yourself the victim of a dog bite there is no substitute for a good dog bite lawyer. If you or a loved one is attacked by a dog, Jamal Injury Law P.C. has the expertise to bring the responsible party to justice and ensure that you are fully compensated for your losses.

Nearly 90 million dogs live in homes across the United States. Most of these will never bite, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of these, more than 885,000 people must be medically treated for their injuries, and more than 27,000 require reconstructive surgery. Others often need physical therapy for the part of their body that has been injured. What is perhaps most worrisome is that half of the victims seeking medical attention are children.

As you can likely imagine, the severity of many dog bite cases requires victims to seek help from a personal injury lawyer to ensure that they recover the damages they are entitled to. If you are a local resident who has suffered injuries from a dog attack, it is in your best interest to work with a Newport Beach dog bite attorney who has experience with area laws.

State Farm Insurance reports that residents of California are more likely to be the victims of dog bites than residents of any other state. Of the 3600 claims State Farm received from victims of dog bites across the country in 2017, 488 of them, or nearly 14 percent, were from California. These claims totaled $18.7 million in payments. Other top states were Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Half of these dog bite claims were for children or elderly victims. Although in some cities, like Sacramento, pit bulls are the most common breed featured in bite reports, any dog can bite at any time, no matter what its specific breed is. Having handled many serious dog bite cases, the team at Jamal Injury Law P.C. has seen severe bite injuries from a seemingly endless variety of breeds.

With such high numbers of serious injuries being reported throughout California, it is imperative that Long Beach residents stay aware of their surroundings and avoid petting the dogs of strangers, even if they appear friendly. What starts as a great day out on the town, at a friend’s barbeque, or at the beach can end in a visit to the emergency room if you encounter a fierce dog that seriously injures you. Serious wounds, disfigurement, and even death can result from a dog bite accident, often requiring not only medical care but assistance from a Newport Beach injury attorney. If you think you have a case, or simply want to more fully understand your rights, don’t hesitate to contact our lawyers for a free consultation.

California dog bite laws are generally in victims’ favor. Even if your bite is the dog’s first offense, the owner can be considered negligent and responsible for your injuries. This is different from other state laws where the owner can only be considered negligent on the dog’s second bite. Unfortunately, many Newport Beach residents don’t know this and fail to seek legal help. As a result, many of them are not fully or fairly compensated for their medical bills and other accident-related expenses.

If you are the victim of a dog bite, it is essential that you contact a Newport Beach dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. There is absolutely no excuse for a dog attack due to owner negligence, and we will hold the responsible party accountable, fight for your rights, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Contact Jamal Injury Law P.C. today at 714-907-1021 for a free consultation.