Dog Bite Claims: Why Dogs Bite and What to Do If You’re Bit
Nobody wants to think that a dog–especially if they seem friendly–might bite. However, all dogs bite, even those cute and cuddly canines. Therefore, you can’t assume that a dog’s friendly nature will prevent it from biting you. Given the number of dog bite claims processed annually, people can’t make any assumption along these lines.
In fact, did you know that California processes more dog bite claims than any other state in the U.S.? They also process claims with the highest average payment – about $59,560 per instance. According to the Insurance Information Institute, over $120 million in settlements were paid for the 2,2026 claims recorded in 2021.
Reasons Why a Dog May Bite
Dog bites, despite their appearance to the contrary, do not happen without reason. You can form several scenarios of why a dog may decide to bite a stranger or even someone familiar to them.
Injuries, as well, can turn into full-blown infections. This can easily occur if you don’t pay enough attention to the wound or to some of the indicators that warn that a bite may be imminent.
Warnings that Signal a Dog Is Ready to Bite
For example, before biting someone, a dog will make noises or gestures–snarling, growling, barking, or snapping to express their fear or reason for the attack.
In addition, dogs may also bare their teeth.
Therefore, bites may happen for the following reasons:
Fear
Fear is a common underlying reason for canine aggression. A dog may feel threatened if you access its personal space. They may resort to biting if they feel terrified or have reached their threshold of tolerance. Biting presents a way for the dog to place a distance between itself and its detractor.
Alarm
Dogs may also bite if they feel alarmed. For example, a dog will bite if it is disturbed during sleep, or it feels anxious or confused. It may also resort to biting if it is unsure of its environment. An older dog is especially vulnerable to this behavior if it has reduced vision. Never try to rouse a sleeping dog and tell your small children not to climb into dog beds.
Guarding
A dog may bite if it is worried about losing a prized toy or scrap of food that it has been guarding. Dogs, regardless of the breed, may also bite if they think their home is being invaded or they fear for a family member’s safety even if the danger isn’t real.
Stress and Frustration
Dogs may also bite when feeling stressed or frustrated. These levels rise sometimes when a dog is leashed or cannot get to something it wants. In turn, the dog may attack or bite anyone they think is holding them back. This is referred to as a “redirected bite.”
Pain
If a dog gets injured or is feeling sick, it may feel anxious and fearful. Even the most gentle dog, when in agony or pain, may resort to biting. Therefore, you may need to be extra cautious if you’re moving an injured dog.
Play
Most people don’t think much of playful biting. However, this type of mouthiness during play can also lead to a serious injury. While dogs typically like to roughhouse with humans and other dogs, even play-biting can lead to an unwanted injury.
What the Law Says About Dog Bite Injuries in California
If a dog bites you in California, you have a good chance of winning a dog bite personal injury claim. That is because California, unlike other states, does not follow a one-bite rule of law.
Instead, the state upholds a strict liability rule for any injury caused by a dog. Even if the dog has never bit someone or shown any aggression in the past, the owner is responsible for paying for any ensuing damages.
On the other hand, the one-bite rule follows the assumption that the owner should have known the animal might act in a harmful or dangerous manner. Therefore, the animal can have one free bite, but after that, the owner is responsible for any aggression or viciousness the animal displays.
What Should You Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog
If you’re attacked or bitten by a dog, seek medical attention immediately. This will help establish that the dog bit you and caused your injuries. You should also contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in dog bite cases. Take pictures of your injuries.
The sooner you act, the easier it will be to provide the details of your case and more quickly receive a settlement.
Contact the Law Firm of Jance M. Weberman Right Away
To learn more about where you stand in a dog bite claim, contact us, the law firm of Jance M. Weberman today. Call (213) 386-9100 or contact us through the contact form for further details or to arrange a consultation.