Dog Bite Lawyer | Charlottesville, Virginia
Attorney Yvonne T. Griffin’s Biography
Injured by a vicious dog? Contact us today for a FREE 90-Minute office consultation.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia dog bite cases
What should I do if bitten by a dog?
Vicious dogs are not the only dogs who bite. Sometimes the family pets who are loved by their owners are the dogs who bite. Either way, being bitten by a dog can be traumatic and painful. Dog bites can cause infections, nerve damage, disease, and physical and emotional scars. If you are bitten by a dog, you should immediately seek medical treatment by your primary care physician or the emergency room. You do not want to take chances with your health. After you have received treatment, talk to a lawyer who handles dog bites.
What should I do to protect evidence?
- Be sure to take pictures of your injuries shortly after you are attacked. You also need to take pictures of these injuries 30 days out, 90 days out, and six months out. Many of your wounds will take months to heal. You want to keep a pictorial record that can be used to persuade an adjustor or a jury about the seriousness of your injuries.
- Make sure to call animal control to report the bite. Not only will they make a record of the events, including important information about the dog and its owner, they will do the investigation necessary to determine if you have been exposed to any diseases for which the dog has not been vaccinated. Animal control is also a valuable witness as to whether or not the dog has bitten before. The information animal control has access to can be invaluable to help win your case.
- Get the names of any witnesses to the attack. Also, talk to the neighbors of the dog owner. The neighbors may have witnessed the dog attack others or act in a menacing manner. The neighbors also may have heard the dog owner make statements about the dog’s behavior.
- Ask the dog owner about any insurance, e.g., homeowner’s insurance that will cover the injuries you sustained in the dog attack. Many times, you will find medical expense coverage available in addition to the liability coverage.
How long do I have to file suit?
What is your fee structure?
We handle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We do not get paid a legal fee until you receive a settlement or jury verdict award. We offer a FREE 90-Minute consultation.
