Oklahoma law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by a dog in almost all situations. This includes incidents where dogs chase down victims, such as cyclists, knock them down, or force them into crashes. An injured rider can file an injury claim and ask for help with damages such as medical bills and lost time at work.
This support will usually come from the dog owner’s homeowners insurance or renter’s insurance. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are trained to find ways to avoid taking the blame or even blaming the victim. They save their employers money by paying out less than recovering cyclists need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Having a skilled Tulsa Dog Bite Lawyer handle your case is often the best way to protect your case and secure the most possible for your injury. Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law offers a free, no-obligation consultation to all dog attack victims.
Oklahoma’s Strict Liability for Dog Owners
Oklahoma is a “strict liability” dog bite state. It means that dog owners are held liable for dog bite injuries in most circumstances. This liability doesn’t depend on the dog having a violent history or a previous dog bite incident. The Oklahoma statute on animals and ownerships goes over the legal responsibilities in OSCN 2019 – Section 42.1.
But this statute doesn’t just cover dog bites. It applies to any injury a dog may cause. This is especially important for bicyclists because dogs tend to enjoy chasing fast-moving things, like bicycles. Riders can be hurt trying to get away from the threat of a bite. They can also be hurt when knocked off their bikes by a powerful dog. A dog could even bite a rider who is now on the pavement.
Riders might also be forced into traffic and be hit by a car while trying to escape. They can suffer broken bones, head trauma, and even have their lives put at risk. Injured bicyclists can suffer scars and permanent disfigurement. They’ll require support for their immediate medical bills and for any surgeries and physical therapy needed in the years to come. Unfortunately, an insurance company that doesn’t take these injuries seriously enough might only offer enough to cover a single trip to an emergency room.
Proving Liability in a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident
Generally, dog owners are responsible for these attacks and accidents caused by the fear of a pursuing dog. Riders would need to prove that a dog owner didn’t restrain a pet properly and that the dog’s actions caused an injury.
There are a few circumstances that might get a dog owner off the hook:
- If a cyclist was on private property at the time the dog caused the accident
- If the cyclist provoked the dog
Dog owners and their insurance representatives will look for ways to reject dog injury claims or reduce the support they must pay. It’s why you should discuss your case with a lawyer if you are seriously hurt by a dog while you are on a bike ride.
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law will fully investigate your accident, the dog owner’s actions, and the dog’s history. Your attorney then demands the maximum in compensation on your behalf, while you are allowed to focus on healing.
Finding Support for Children Injured by Dogs
Support for Tulsa Bicyclists Injured By Dogs
Support from a dog bite injury settlement needs to cover every hardship a dog attack may cause. Including the emotional toll a serious injury will take on someone who enjoys riding a bike each week, and may be away from their favorite form of exercise for weeks.
A skilled Tulsa bicycle accident lawyer would demand compensation for these factors and others:
- Totals on medical bills, ambulance fees, and physical therapy expenses
- Cost of restorative surgeries for victims suffering disfigurements
- Estimates on long-term care for riders left with permanent physical disabilities
- Support for the physical pain endured during a difficult recovery
- Support for the emotional trauma victims may have to cope with months later
- Totals on travel costs to get to appointments with doctors and to see out-of-area specialists
- Totals on lost paychecks and benefits while victims must miss work
- In the case of a tragic, fatal dog-involved accident, family members of the victim can file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death lawyer would ask for help for loved ones in covering the costs of a funeral and paying off remaining medical bills. A wrongful death claim would seek support for the income the victim can no longer provide to support loved ones and the future guidance and love that’s been lost.
Contact a Tulsa Child Dog Bite Lawyer
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law is committed to helping injured cyclists recover and get back on their bikes after a scary dog encounter.
Our lawyers take special care with injured riders and seek to earn them extra support to cover any challenges ahead. Victims can contact us to schedule a free and confidential case review to find out how to protect themselves now and in the future.
If we can help you and your family earn more in support after a dog attack, you won’t need to worry about having money to hire us. Ylla|Gosney doesn’t get paid unless we win your case. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement award that the insurance company is forced to provide.
