Every year, many Americans are bitten by a dog. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog each year in the U.S. If you have found yourself in this predicament, you are not alone. If you have been bitten by a dog, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Untreated dog bites can lead to such severe injury, infections and can even be fatal. If you want to pursue legal action against the owner of the dog that bit you, then you will want to hire an expert dog to bite attorney as soon as possible. Dog bite victims in Rhode Island have three years to file a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.
Dog Owner Liability:
Under Rhode Island Statutes 4-13-16, dog bites are viewed under “strict liability.” The statute means that “the defendant is held liable if a particular event occurs, regardless of whether the defendant could have done anything to prevent the event.” To be more specific, if a dog assaults, bites or injures a person or an animal belonging to another person the owner of the biting dog will be held liable. The person or injured animal cannot be on the property of the dog’s owner when the bite occurs because it can be seen as an intruder, another law pertains to this instance. This statute applies to any and all injuries that a dog causes to people or other animals.
This statute applies to dog bites but also other injuries a dog has caused, such as a dog knocking someone over and injuring them. The other person can file a claim against the dog’s owner if they are injured. If someone is injured by another person’s dog while on the other person’s property, the injuries will ball under the “one bite” rule.
RI “One Bite” Rule
The “one bite” rule takes effect when someone steps on to another person’s property or home and is bitten or injured by their dog. In this particular situation, the “one bite” rule takes effect if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone before now so the owner couldn’t have known they would act aggressively in this manner. The injured person will have to prove that the owner had knowledge that the dog was dangerous or hostile towards other people for the owner to be liable. This is where an experienced Rhode Island attorney like Rob Levine will be able to research and fight for your justice!
Common Questions Victim’s Have
After an Accident
There are over five million car accidents occurring on U.S. roads each year. Some of these accidents are preventable. A car wreck can send a person’s life into chaos in a short period. Many of us haven’t been in a car accident and might not know what the correct steps are right after being involved in one. Knowing what to do and what not to do can help save you a lot of time and money in the future.
Here are some common questions people have after an accident.
What do I do first after an accident?
The first thing you should is to check on the other passengers and drivers to see the extent of their injuries, as well as look at yours. Do not settle things on the spot with the other driver; injuries can take days or even weeks to be noticed. No matter how minor an accident maybe, you should contact medical assistance and the police as soon as possible. Getting the police involved will help document the scene and allow for an investigation of the scene of the accident. An officer will talk to you about moving your vehicle, and another will take everyone’s statements.
What information do I need to collect?
- Drivers’ names of all vehicles involved
- License numbers, address, phone number, insurance companies and policy numbers
- License plate number, color, make, year and model of all cars involved in the wreck
- Full name, address and phone number of all occupants in the vehicles as well as pedestrians or witnesses nearby
- Police officer’s name, department and badge number
- Actual location of the accident
Have a smartphone to take pictures can be especially helpful so that you have accurate information and have less of a chance of losing it.
Do I need an attorney?
Getting an attorney is not required after a car accident, but can be extremely helpful. Talking to an experienced car accident attorney can help set your mind at ease after being involved in a car wreck. An attorney will be able to tell you what you should or shouldn’t say to protect your interests. If there is a settlement after the accident, your attorney is the one that will negotiate on your behalf. Having a knowledgeable law firm on your side can make the difference between not being able to get your life back on track and getting a settlement to pay for your expenses.
Contact Us
Have you been involved in a car accident? Our team of dedicated attorneys is here to talk to you! Contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We offer free initial consultations so feel free to call with your questions!
www.roblevine.com
Accident Facts
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are an estimated 5.6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. This number is growing as more and more people depend on cars as their primary source of transportation. Considering there are an estimated 200 million cars currently in use in the U.S. each and every day, 5.6 million might not seem as big. However, these accidents can have devastating effects on victims lives for the foreseeable future. It is important to know what to do to help if you are ever in the position to witness a crash.
What To Do After A Car Accident?
After an accident, many individual will be in shock because they the accident wasn’t expected. The shock can impair those around the crash as well as the ones involved in the accident. As a bystander, it is your duty to do what you can to either help or not make the situation worse. Cars can be hazardous after an accident because it is unsure if all of the safety equipment is still working and what has been compromised within the vehicle. Before you do anything, make sure to call 911, do not assume someone else is already calling unless they explicitly say so.
Emergency Assistance and Support
The next thing you should do is to survey the scene. Surveying the scene can either be from inside of your vehicle or outside of your vehicle if you feel safe. When calling 911, it is imperative to have as many details as possible to provide to the operator so that the proper amount of people and equipment is brought. You will need to look for potential hazards, such as fires, leaking fluids, injured passengers, etc. Try to get help for the victims if you are comfortable or find someone who is because every second is a factor in these situations.
Staying Clear of the Accident
After witnessing an accident, you could be in shock, depending on the severity. If you aren’t comfortable helping, then you should do your part not to make the situation worse. A firetruck and ambulance will need to have a clear path to the accident to help; you should move your car out of the way of the emergency vehicles. Some accidents can be more dangerous because they could involve a large tanker that has an unknown chemical. Keep a safe distance till you know it is safe.
Contact Us:
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact Rob Levine & Associates to be your trusted car accident lawyer!
