Were you or a family member bitten by a dog in Phoenix, Arizona? Call Rack Law Accident Lawyers for a free consultation at (602) 661-6300. Our experienced Phoenix dog bite lawyers can help you take legal action and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’re one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the area, with over $200 million won for our clients and more than 40 years of combined experience. If you decide to hire us to represent you, we’ll treat you like family and make your case our priority from the start.
Contact us today for more information. We can advise you of your legal rights and options during your free case evaluation.
Why Choose Rack Law Accident Lawyers for Help After a Dog Bite in Phoenix, AZ?
Rack Law Accident Lawyers has spent years standing up for injured victims in Phoenix and winning meaningful results. Insurance companies and other defendants take notice when our legal team represents a client and won’t be able to get away with offering you less than you’re entitled to under the law.
Some reasons to consider hiring our award-winning personal injury attorneys include:
- We have decades of combined experience practicing personal injury law
- We’ve secured numerous recoveries in the six and seven figures for our clients
- We won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit and take your case all the way to trial if that’s what justice demands
- We’ll hire top-rated experts as needed to make your claim as compelling as possible
- We’ll keep you up to date on your case’s progress and status at all times, ensuring that every major decision is yours to make at the end of the day
Reach out to our dog bite lawyers in Phoenix, AZ, today for a free consultation. We’re confident we can help you make the most of your ability to take legal action.
Arizona’s Dog Bite Law
Arizona is one of the more victim-friendly states when it comes to dog bite cases. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 11-1025, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for injuries caused by their animal, as long as the bite occurred in a public place or while the victim was lawfully on private property.
This is important because it means you don’t have to prove that the owner was negligent, nor that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior. So long as the dog bit you and you had a legal right to be where you were, the owner is generally responsible for your damages. This applies regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Most dog bite cases fall under this category, though it is possible that some will fall under a negligence cause of action instead of strict liability. In these cases, it may become necessary to prove that the animal’s owner was careless in some way, such as by violating a leash law.
How Much Is My Phoenix Dog Bite Case Worth?
No two dog bite cases are exactly the same, so there isn’t a set formula for determining what your claim is worth.
Several factors will play a role in the evaluation, including:
- How severe your injuries are and whether they will require ongoing treatment
- The location and visibility of any scarring and disfigurement
- How much time you’ve missed from work, and whether your earning capacity has been affected
- The emotional and psychological impact the attack has had on your life
- Whether the dog owner had insurance that covers the incident
- The strength of the evidence in your favor
Our dog bite attorneys in Phoenix can give you a better sense of what your case may be worth during your free consultation. We’ll review the details of your situation and help you understand what to expect moving forward.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Phoenix, Arizona?
If your dog bite claim is successful, you can recover compensatory damages for the harm you’ve suffered. These are broken up into two primary categories.
Economic damages reimburse you for your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal toll the attack has taken, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Conditions like PTSD and anxiety
Arizona also allows punitive damages in certain situations, but only in cases where the defendant acted with an “evil mind.”
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Attack in Phoenix?
Insurance companies will sometimes try to argue that the victim provoked the dog or that they were trespassing at the time of the attack. If they can establish either of those defenses, it could affect your ability to recover compensation.
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence law that may apply to your case. That means you can still pursue damages even if you are found to share some of the fault. However, your total award could be reduced by whatever percentage of blame is assigned to you. If you’re found to be 20% at fault and your damages come to $200,000, for example, your settlement could be reduced to $160,000.
It can be especially beneficial to have a lawyer on your side if you’re being blamed, as our personal injury attorneys can help you fight back against these types of allegations and work to minimize the level of fault you’re assigned.
We’ll Fight for Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, and the severity can vary dramatically from one case to the next.
We are prepared to handle claims involving any of the following injuries:
- Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve damage
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Eye injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Infections
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Wrongful death of a loved one
No matter what kind of injuries you sustained, we’re here to help you file a claim for maximum compensation. Call us today to get started with a free case review.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite in Phoenix?
The steps you take after a dog bite can have a real impact on your health and on the strength of your legal claim.
If you’ve been attacked, keep the following in mind:
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, and some injuries may be worse than they initially appear.
- Report the attack to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. An official report creates a record of the incident that can support your claim.
- Try to identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name and contact information if you can do so safely.
- Take photos of your injuries, the location where the attack happened, and the dog itself, if possible.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. What you say could be used against you later.
From there, reaching out to a dog bite lawyer in Phoenix should be your next priority. The sooner you have legal representation, the better your chances of preserving key evidence and protecting your rights are.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Phoenix?
Rack Law Accident Lawyers takes dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay anything out of pocket to hire us, and we only collect attorney’s fees if we successfully recover money for you. Before your case gets underway, we’ll walk you through our fee agreement so you understand exactly how it works.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arizona?
In Arizona, you typically have one year from the date of the attack to file a “strict liability” claim. This is the most common type of dog bite case because you do not have to prove the owner was negligent.
While some negligence-based claims have a two-year window, the one-year deadline is the safest and strongest path to recovery. Because these timelines are strict—and shorter than many other personal injury cases—it is vital to contact a lawyer immediately to protect your right to compensation.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With a Phoenix Dog Bite Attorney
Were you bitten by a dog in Phoenix, AZ? You may be entitled to compensation, and Rack Law Accident Lawyers is here to help you file a claim and see it through to its end, no matter what it takes.
Contact our Phoenix dog bite attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We’ve recovered over $200 million for our clients across 40 years of combined experience and will work just as hard for you and your family.
