Have you been bitten by a dog in Kinston, NC? The dog’s owner could owe you significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. However, establishing liability in these cases can be difficult, and you likely need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help. Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers at (252) 397-8624 to schedule a free consultation.
Our legal team has over 190 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Over the years, our Kinston dog bite lawyers have recovered over $850 million in compensation. We know the North Carolina dog bite laws inside and out and can help you develop a strong legal strategy. Contact us today.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle to Help Me After a Dog Bite Accident in Kinston?
We understand how difficult the time after a dog bite accident can be. You don’t want to be just another case number on a lawyer’s desk. You need an attorney who will give you the personal attention you deserve and take the time to fully understand your life circumstances.
Clients in Kinston, North Carolina, count on Riddle & Riddle after dog bites, as well as other personal injury cases such as car accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, and many other types of accidents because:
- Our Kinston dog bite attorneys know how to win, as evidenced by our substantial settlements and court awards.
- Our clients are treated like family, and we fight diligently to get them all the compensation they deserve.
- Members of our legal team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and The National Trial Lawyers.
Let us help you hold the dog’s owner accountable for your injuries. You should not have to bear the burden of your medical bills and other losses on your own.
Call us now to schedule a free consultation with one of our Kinston personal injury lawyers, and let us get to work.
North Carolina Dog Bite Laws
North Carolina has adopted a modified “one bite” rule when it comes to liability for dog bite injuries. Generally, a dog’s owner is not liable the first time their dog bites someone unless they knew the dog had a history of aggression or was considered dangerous.
A “dangerous dog” is one that has killed or severely injured a person in the past. It could also be considered dangerous because of its breed or a history of aggression. Dog owners may be held strictly liable for damages resulting from a bite from a dog that has been deemed dangerous.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every case is unique, so it can be challenging to compare its value to another. Cases involving more severe injuries are typically worth more than those involving less severe injuries.
Other factors that must be considered to determine the value of your case include:
- The total amount of your medical bills
- Your future medical care
- How much time you missed from work
- How your injuries have affected your everyday life
- Your total recovery time
- How much insurance coverage is available
Estimating the value of your claim is crucial to getting all the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies often try to pressure victims into accepting a lowball settlement by offering a quick payout. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you can determine the value of your case so that you do not settle for less than a fair amount.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?
Dog bite victims in Kinston are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Together, these damages help compensate victims for their financial losses and pain and suffering.
Economic damages are those that are purely financial in nature. Common examples include:
- Current and future lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Surgery
- Emergency treatment
- Follow-up doctor visits
Estimating the value of these damages is easier because the victim typically has bills or other documents showing how much money was lost. On the flip side, non-economic damages compensate victims for their physical and psychological pain and trauma.
Some common examples of those include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Putting a dollar figure on these damages is much more difficult because of their subjective nature.
In rare cases, punitive damages are also available. To recover these, you must prove that the dog owner acted with fraud, malice, or willful misconduct. The amount of punitive damages is limited to three times the compensatory damages, or $250,000.
An experienced lawyer is often needed to help victims accurately value their damages so that they do not settle for less than their claim is worth. We’ll help you assess what damages may be available in your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Most dog bite lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer does not require an upfront payment. Instead, they collect their fee as a portion of any money recovered for the client. The percentage charged by a dog bite lawyer can range anywhere from 33% to 40% of the total recovery, depending on:
- The complexity of the case
- The lawyer’s success rate and experience level
- Your geographic location
- Whether the case is settled out of court or goes to trial
In North Carolina, a contingency fee agreement should be in writing, and the client must sign it. The agreement should “state the method by which the fee will be calculated.” Before signing any type of fee agreement, make sure you fully understand the details of the calculation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed For a Dog Bite in North Carolina?
Unfortunately, you may be barred from recovering any compensation if you are found to share part of the blame for your accident. North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule. This means that a victim who is found to be even partially at fault for their own accident may not recover any compensation for their injuries.
When it comes to dog bite claims, some behaviors that could be considered contributory negligence include:
- Approaching the dog without the owner’s permission
- Provoking the dog
- Allowing your own dog or another animal to provoke another dog
We can help defend you against the insurance company’s tactics of blaming you.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can result in some nasty wounds and serious injuries. Even small dogs can cause serious pain and issues, and a bite from a large dog can be devastating. Some dog bite victims live with scarring or other problems for the rest of their lives. We will fight diligently to get you compensated for all your injuries, including:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Muscle or tendon damage
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
Even beyond the initial trauma, victims can suffer from long-term consequences. Victims may face physical therapy, reconstructive surgery, or counseling for PTSD related to the incident. Children are especially vulnerable and often suffer lasting emotional and developmental setbacks. We won’t just focus on your physical injuries; we’ll consider the full scope of your suffering.
While money cannot reduce the pain of your injuries, it can help relieve much of the stress of your medical bills and other expenses.
What Causes Most Dog Bites in Kinston, North Carolina?
Dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, so there are some situations in which there seems to be no explanation for a dog biting someone. However, some things can make a dog more likely to bite.
Some common causes of dog bite incidents include:
- Loud noises
- Sudden movements
- Aggression
- Pain or fear
- Territorial protection
- Provocation
If a dog has bitten you, the team at Riddle & Riddle can help piece together the puzzle to uncover why you were bitten. We’ll help you gather the evidence necessary to prove your case and hold the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Accident in North Carolina?
Some dog bite victims do not realize that their time to file a lawsuit for damages is limited. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most dog bite claims is three years. This means that you must file a lawsuit within three years of the date of your accident or you risk losing your right to recover any compensation for your injuries.
While the general rule is three years, some special circumstances can lengthen or shorten this timeframe. Determining the deadline for your lawsuit is crucial to making sure that you do not miss your chance to obtain a recovery.
Contact Our Kinston Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite in Kinston, North Carolina, call Riddle & Riddle now to schedule a free consultation. We have over 190 years of combined experience and have recovered over $850 million in compensation. Our Kinston dog bite attorneys will take the time to answer all your questions and begin working on your case.