Common Causes of Dog Bites in Terre Haute

Although many people enjoy having a dog as a pet and consider it a part of the family, dogs can be surprisingly dangerous. If a dog bit you, there may be pain, both physically and emotionally. Your injuries could take a long time to heal and could leave you with lingering reminders of the attack.

Sadly, there are many common causes of dog bites in Terre Haute. Regardless of how or why the dog attack occurred, you could be eligible to collect compensation. The skilled dog bite attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin can help you pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Why Do Dogs Attack?

Unfortunately, dogs bite for many different reasons, especially if they feel scared, threatened, stressed, or startled. You should always approach dogs cautiously. Do not surprise a dog from behind, run directly at it, or purposely frighten a dog, particularly if it does not know you. Even a longtime family dog can suddenly turn vicious if it feels threatened.

Territorial Aggression

Dogs are territorial creatures. If you get too close to a dog’s food or toys, it could lash out at you. Similarly, dogs can be protective of people. If you suddenly approach a dog’s owner, the dog could bite you because it is defending its territory.

Although most adults know not to startle a dog, children often do not know how to approach dogs safely. Young children often put their faces right up to a dog’s face, which puts them at risk of experiencing facial injuries, such as deep lacerations that can lead to permanent scars. Toddlers can also hurt a dog without understanding what they are doing, such as by pulling its fur or tail.

Horseplay

Dog bites can also be accidental, as a result of playing games such as tug of war or fetch. The dog can hold on to a toy too tightly and accidentally bite you while adjusting its grip. Although these types of dog bites are not intentional, they can still result in serious injuries.

Dogs can attack for various reasons, and our legal team in Terre Haute can help you respond with a civil lawsuit.

Comparative Fault as a Possible Defense Against Liability

A dog owner in Terre Haute could argue that your actions contributed to or even caused the dog attack. For instance, they could claim that you stepped on the dog’s tail, kicked it, or provoked the dog, causing it to defend itself.

Under Indiana law, if a court determines that your actions were more than 50 percent to blame for the dog attack, you cannot bring a claim. If a court decides that you were less than 50 percent at fault, you can still bring a claim, but your degree of blame can reduce the damages you receive. For instance, if a court decides that you were 30 percent at fault, you could receive 30 percent less in damages.

Our personal injury attorneys understand how these comparative fault rules affect liability in a dog bite case.

Talk to a Terre Haute Lawyer About the Common Causes of Dog Attacks

Dogs can be unpredictable creatures, attacking people with or without provocation. Our attorneys are aware of the common causes of dog bites in Terre Haute and have a proven track record of handling lawsuits in response to these incidents. Talk to our skilled lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to discuss how to proceed with a legal claim.