Davidson County Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites are physically painful and can leave lifelong scars. Dog bites often have a traumatic effect on the victim, especially if the victim is a child.
Tennessee law governing dog bites is complex. In some situations, the owner of a dog that bites another person is absolutely liable for the injuries caused by the bite. In other circumstances, a dog is entitled to one bite before its owner is responsible for the injuries the bite causes. If someone has been injured due to a serious dog bite, they should consult a Davidson County dog bite lawyer. A qualified personal injury attorney could advocate for them.
Strict Liability for Dog Bite InjuriesOwners of dogs in Tennessee are subject to strict liability for dog bites if specific circumstances are met. Strict liability means that there is no need to prove that the owner knew the dog was vicious or dangerous. If the dog bite happened, then the owner is liable for the injuries and must pay compensation.
For strict liability to apply, two tests must be met. First, that the dog caused injury to a person, usually a dog bite, and second, that the person injured was bitten in a public place or bitten while lawfully on private property.
One Bite RuleThe one bite rule applies when a dog bites someone while the dog was on its owner’s property. In this situation, the person bitten has to show that the owner knew the dog was vicious or dangerous.
This situation is called the one bite rule because until a dog bites someone, the dog is not known to be dangerous.
Defenses to a Dog Bite Injury ClaimA Davidson County dog bite lawyer could represent the victims of dog bites, advising individuals on the challenges these cases present. The attorney is well-aware of the defenses available to dog owners. These defenses are lack of knowledge of a dog’s viciousness, provocation, and trespassing.
Dog bites can cause serious and lasting injuries. The average dog bite strength is 269 pounds. Rottweiler bites exert 328 pounds of pressure in their bites. Bites tear and rip into the flesh of the victim. Injuries from dog bites include:
Dog bite cases have legal hurdles that must be met before a victim can be compensated for their losses.
If you are a victim of a dog bite, contact a Davidson County dog bite lawyer who could work to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. Call today for your initial consultation.