You knew that dogs could potentially bite and cause injury to humans. However, you never thought that you, your child, or your loved one would be the human who was hurt. Now, the dog bite victim in your family is in significant pain, and your family has incurred substantial medical bills. Will you be able to recover?
Virginia Dog Bite Law
Before you know whether you may be able to make a financial recovery from the dog’s owner or handler, it is important to understand the Virginia laws about dog bites or attacks. Generally, Virginia law derives from English law and allows every dog “one bite.” In other words, an owner may not be held liable the first time a dog bites or attacks a person.
However, there are important exceptions to this rule. For example, an owner or handler may be liable for damages caused by a dog’s first bite or attack if:
- The owner or handler caused the dog bite by being negligent. For example, owners and handlers must take reasonable precautions to keep dogs from roaming freely on public roads.
- The owner or handler caused the dog bite by breaking the law. For example, if local law requires the dog to be on a leash and the dog was not on a leash at the time of the accident on a public road, then the owner or handler may be responsible.
Of course, other factors, such as whether the victim contributed to the accident in any way, may also be relevant to the victim’s potential recovery after a dog bite accident.
Call a Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer for More Information
If you, your child, or your loved one are suffering from a Virginia dog bite injury, then it is important to talk to an experienced Winchester dog bite attorney about your legal rights and possible recovery, given the specific facts of your case. For more information, please contact us today at 540-341-0007 or 888-907-2631 for a FREE consultation.
