What to do after a dog bite in Nevada
Being attacked by a dog is a dreadful experience that may leave a victim with life-altering injuries. Understanding what to do after a dog bite will help victims receive the proper medical care and rightful compensation they deserve.
However, understanding how to make a dog bite claim in Nevada is challenging, as Nevada does not have a statewide dog bite statute. Thus, it is in the victim’s best interest to work with an experienced dog bite attorney in Nevada to improve the odds of a successful dog bite claim.
Steps to Take After You Have Been Injured by a Dog in Nevada
Following a dog bite injury in Nevada, victims should take the following steps to protect their legal rights:
- Gather Dog Owner’s Information: Track down the dog owner and notify them of your injuries. Note down their name, contact number, address, and, if possible, insurance information.
- File a Report with Animal Control: Filing a report is a good idea to document your injuries and the incident itself, even if the bite is not life-threatening. This will also prompt authorities to conduct an investigation, which may lead to information that can assist you in making your claim.
- Take Pictures: Taking pictures of your injuries, both immediately after the animal attack and during the healing process, is strongly recommended. These pictures will become evidence that may assist in making your claim.
- Get Witness Information: Witness testimony can be vital in a bite claim. Get the phone number of any witness to the incident.
- Seek Medical Assistance: Immediately seek medical attention for your dog bite injuries and adhere to all treatment recommendations given by your doctor.
- Track Out-of-Pocket Expenses & Missed Work: Keep copies of all bills for any expenditures you incur due to the dog bite. Also, if you lose time from work while healing from your injuries, keep track of your lost wages.
- Immediately Contact an Attorney: Speak to an experienced dog bite injury attorney as soon as possible. A qualified attorney will be able to investigate your case and gather all of the evidence needed to construct a strong claim against the dog owner to establish accountability for your losses.
Does Nevada Have a Dog Bite Law?
Nevada does not have a written statute pertaining to dog bites. However, victims of dog bites can still recover if the dog was considered “dangerous” or “vicious,” or if they prove negligence or negligence per se.
- Dangerous or Vicious Dogs: If the dog has previously bitten someone, then it is considered dangerous or vicious, and the victim may recover. However, if the dog has never bitten someone before, then the victim cannot recover. This is known as Nevada’s “One Bite” Rule.
- Negligence: To prove that a dog owner was negligent, the victim must prove that he or she failed to act with reasonable care. This could mean that the dog owner left the dog unsupervised or failed to keep a leash on the dog.
- Negligence Per Se: While there is no statewide statute pertaining to dog bites, there are various cities and counties within Nevada that have written laws pertaining to dogs. Some of these laws require things such as the dog being properly enclosed or kept on a leash. In the event the dog owner was in violation of one of these local laws, and such violation led to the victim’s injuries, the victim may be able to recover under a theory of negligence per se.
Furthermore, in Nevada, you have two years from the date of the injury to submit a dog-bite case. There is no way to collect damages if you miss this deadline. The complexity of determining liability in a dog attack often leaves dog bite victims confused. Consequently, it is best to discuss your case with an experienced dog bite attorney, as they will know what is required to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Us to File a Claim in Nevada
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a dog bite or other animal bit, you may be entitled to compensation. With our years of injury law experience, Roebuck Law Firm is here to fight for your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation today at (702) 620-5000.
