Dog Bite Law: National Statistics Regarding Dog Bites

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)proving that the owner's dog bit them. There are
in Atlanta, every year nearly 4.7 million peoplevery few exceptions, and in most cases, these
become the victims of dog bites within the Unitedexceptions exist without the loopholes available in
States. Of these bites, almost 800,000 requireother states.
medical attention, with a small percentage of dog biteExamples of such loopholes are the "one bite" laws, in
injuries resulting in fatalities.which the courts require evidence that the dog has
If you live in the United States, it is estimated thatpreviously bitten someone before the owner is held
you have a 1 in 50 chance of becoming the victim ofliable in a dog bite case. According to statistics, states
a dog attack. This chance increases if you are awith "one bite" laws and mixed statute laws generally
postal worker, delivery person, or utility worker. Thishave more instances of dog bites than states with
chance also increases if you are a minor, as childrenstrict liability statutes, such as California.
tend to attract dog attacks due both to theirIf someone in your family has been the victim of a
careless play around animals and their vulnerability indog bite, it is important to understand the specific
size. In fact, dog bites account for one of the toplaws in your particular state regarding the statutes of
reasons children are sent to the emergency roomlimitations and liability for dog bite injuries. A qualified
each year; and the number of incidents involvingdog bite attorney will be able to counsel you
children only continues to grow.regarding your case, and help you gather evidence
Fifteen years old is the median age of dog bitethat will help the courts in determining liability. This is
victims within the United States, with boys aged fiveespecially important if you live in a "one bite" state, in
to nine years old being the most common victims ofwhich you must gather evidence to prove that the
dog bite injuries. In most cases of severe injury, thedog has previously bitten someone.
victim was 10 years old or younger, with injuryDog bite injuries are far too common in the United
focused on the face and neck.States, and often children are the innocent victims. If
Last year, 32 people died due to dog attacks in theyou have been the victim of a dog bite, an
United States. These statistics become moreexperienced dog bite attorney can explain your
interesting when broken down, as fewer deathsrights, options, and challenges to making a claim. The
occur in states that have more strict liability laws. Inmore highly skilled dog bite attorneys will provide a
2007, California in particular only had one fatality onfree consultation, process your dog bite claim
record that was the result of a dog attack. Californiaefficiently, and effectively resolve your claim through
is one of the strict liability states, meaning that anegotiations or litigation, recovering for you the
claimant can hold a dog's owner liable simply bycompensation to which you are entitled.