How to Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement

To negotiate a reasonable settlement amount for a dog bite claim, you need to be patient and firm in your demands, thoroughly document your claims and the amounts you feel you are entitled to, and understand your legal rights and responsibilities.

To ensure that your dog bite settlement is handled properly, consider hiring an experienced Phoenix dog bite attorney from Gage Mathers to help you navigate the settlement or litigation process. 

Steps to Take Before Negotiating

After getting medical attention for the bite, document everything. Take pictures of the dog, the injury, and place where the attack happened. Write down details of the event, including who you spoke to and what was said; memories are notoriously fickle and can change with time. Collect the contact information for everyone involved and anyone who witnessed the event. 

In Arizona, dog bites must be reported by law. File an incident report with local law enforcement and get a copy for yourself. If you find out that the dog has a history of biting, running loose, or intimidating others, you can use this information to support your claim.

Hard facts are critical if the dog owner or handler denies responsibility for the bite. If there is physical evidence, such as torn or bloody clothing, put it in a Ziplock bag and keep it safe.

Don’t estimate your existing and probable future expenses. Use real numbers to calculate medical costs, rehabilitation and therapy, lost wages, and other damages you suffered (e.g., disfigurement, disability, emotional stress, etc.) due to the dog bite. 

Research the local legal process and determine your rights as the victim. Most states have a statute of limitations for a dog bite, and you don’t want to miss this date and jeopardize your claim. In most cases, you need to file a claim within two years. However, there are certain circumstances in which this timeline may be shorter.

Be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster if one is sent to evaluate your claim. Emphasize that you were the one who was attacked and did nothing wrong. Even if they seem friendly and seem concerned, it’s important to remember that adjusters work for the insurance company and may try to get you to say something that could jeopardize your case.

During the Negotiation Process

You need to demonstrate that the owner or handler is liable for the attack in order to receive compensation or payment. This usually means proving that they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.

Negotiating a settlement with an insurance company can be exhausting, even when you are familiar with average dog bite settlement amounts. Stick to your guns and don’t let the insurance company or its lawyers bully you into reducing your claims so they can pay you less than you deserve. Don’t rush or accept their first offer.

During discussions, communicate clearly and thoroughly. Explain how being attacked by the dog impacted you physically, emotionally, and financially. Stay calm and don’t take anything said personally. If you get emotional or angry, it could make the settlement process more difficult. Also, be realistic and flexible. Settlements and legal battles don’t always take the course you expect and require compromise on all sides.

If you can’t negotiate a reasonable settlement, be prepared to go to court. Most cases are settled out of court, but you may have to go that route if the insurance company is not being fair in their offers.

Of course, hiring an experienced dog bite attorney from Gage Mathers means your lawyer will handle all of this for you! For expert insight, contact the team at Gage Mathers today to see what compensation you may be entitled to and how we can help you get the justice you deserve.

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About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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