48% of Americans owned a dog in 2018. Needless to say, dogs are a common household pet. Unfortunately, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the US and more than 800,000 get medical care for their dog bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Keep in mind that no specific dog breed is more likely to bite a person than other breeds, contrary to popular belief. Small and cuddly dogs are just as capable of causing a dog bite injury as big and strong ones.
As such, a “man’s best friend” can have a vicious side. After all, dogs are animals.
With this in mind, we encourage you to get legal representation from our trusted Colorado Springs dog bite lawyer to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, you can count on us to negotiate for a high settlement and ensure the dog owner is held responsible for their pet’s actions.
Schedule your free consultation online or at (719) 264-9858 to learn more!
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
Colorado is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog owners, meaning owners are fully responsible for their dogs’ actions, whether or not they knew about their dog’s safety risks. As such, a victim does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent but must prove that they suffered serious bodily injury or death. If that is the case, a dog could be euthanized for injuring a person so badly or demonstrating a risk of causing such damage.
Not to mention, a dog owner may be subject to premises liability or other negligence laws in Colorado. This requires a victim to not only prove that their injuries resulted from a dog bite but also show that owner didn’t exercise their legal duty of care to prevent their dog from harming other people.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause various types of short-term and long-term injuries. Among the most common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Scars
- Fractured or broken bones
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Eye injuries
- Nerve damage
- Rabies
- Infections
- Death
Canine Bite Levels
The severity of dog bites is categorized into 6 groups, ranging from mild to severe. It is important to know the level of your dog bite for the purpose of your claim, therefore, we encourage you to review the following canine bite levels:
- Level 1 (pre-bite): No skin contact, although the dog may exhibit obnoxious or aggressive behavior.
- Level 2 (near-bite): Tooth contact on skin but no puncture. Slight bleeding and skin nicks may occur, but no vertical punctures.
- Level 3 (bite): 1 to 4 skin punctures from a single bite with none being deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. Lacerations may be in a single direction.
- Level 4 (very serious): 1 to 4 punctures from a single bite with at least one being deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. Deep bruising may develop around the wound or lacerations.
- Level 5 (very serious): Multiple bite incident with at least two Level 4 bites, or multiple attack incident with at least one Level 4 bite in each.
- Level 6: Death.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
While dogs can be fun-loving and enjoyable to be around, they can act out-of-line and bite people. This raises the question, “Why do dogs bite?” Dogs typically bite people in reaction to something rather than for no reason. As such, see the following reasons a dog may bite someone:
- Possessiveness
- Fear
- Self-defense
- Pain or illness
- Rough playtime
- Maternal instincts
- A person is running away from the dog
Ready to File Your Dog Bite Injury Claim?
You should not let your dog bite injury go unpunished, as simply “letting it go” may result in other people, including children, getting bitten by the same dog that hurt you. You should turn to our personal injury lawyer in Colorado Springs for help in determining the best possible legal remedy for your specific case. We will evaluate the details of your situation and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation, and from there, we will advocate for your best interests from start to finish.
Contact us at (719) 264-9858 to get started!