How Long Does a Dog Bite Settlement Take?
Request Free ConsultationDog bites can be a complicated type of injury. When a dog causes a serious wound, and it is due to the lack of control from the owner, you may be able to seek a settlement for the losses you incurred. But the process can take time. Consider how long a dog bite settlement can take, and how a proven Nashville dog bite attorney can help.
Average Length of Time for a Dog Bite Settlement
A dog bite settlement may take anywhere from several months to a year or more to obtain. In cases where the insurance company is willing to offer a fair level of compensation upfront, you may be able to submit your claim and receive payment in a short period of time. However, most insurance companies are not going to negotiate fairly, or reasonably, and this will cause your claim to go on longer than you may want.
In serious dog bite cases, there will be additional investigations. Victims will spend more time healing, and insurance companies are less likely to simply provide a settlement quickly. To better understand how long a dog bite settlement may take in your situation, consider the following factors.
Severity of Your Injuries
You should not seek a settlement for your dog bite injuries until you have healed or have reached the maximum amount of healing your doctor expects you to achieve. If you have severe injuries, you can expect it to take longer not only to heal but to better understand your ongoing losses. Severe dog bite injuries typically include:
- Deep lacerations and wounds
- Infections
- Amputations of digits or limbs
- Broken bones if the dog knocks you down
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
In these situations, you are likely to need more time to understand the full extent of your losses. Your dog bite attorney in Nashville will work to maximize your understanding of those losses as quickly as possible. However, the insurance company will also work diligently to try to reduce that compensation.
Injured by a Dog Bite?
How Much Evidence You Have
Dog bite cases can be straightforward in some situations. In others, it can be hard to prove details that can play a big role in fault. In Tennessee, dog bite rules are somewhat complex. In most situations, dog owners may be held liable for their dog’s actions regardless of whether the dog has shown any type of dangerous behavior in the past or the dog owner knew or should have known about that risk. The owner is also liable if they cannot keep the dog under reasonable control at all times or if the dog is running at large.
Notably, the law does not provide any protection for the victim if the victim, in any way, provoked the dog. It also exempts all police or military working dogs from dog bites.
Tennessee is also the only state to have residential exclusion as a component of its dog bite laws. It requires that the dog’s owner knew of or should have known of the dog’s dangerous propensities if the incident occurred on a residential, farm, or other noncommercial property that the owner owned, leased, rented, or was visiting with the owner’s invitation. Our experienced premises liability lawyer in Nashville can help walk you through the legal process if you are a victim of a dog attack on the owner’s property.
If there are any disputes regarding the owner’s responsibility or if the owner believes that an exemption to these laws applies to them, this can delay the award of a settlement. In many situations, these cases can go to court, which will extend the settlement period for a year or more.
The Value of Your Claim and Evidence Available
Another factor that could cause your case to take longer to recover has to do with the amount of evidence to back up the value of your claim. Your injury attorney will work hard to ensure there is ample evidence available to demonstrate your injuries and the losses you have not just by what you say but also with evidence from numerous sources. The more evidence-backed your claim is, the easier it is to hold the insurance company accountable.
In situations where there is limited evidence, your lawyer will need more time to find any potential data that could help to build that claim. Additionally, you may expect a case without much evidence to lead to a court hearing, which can further lengthen the process.
When you choose a dog bite attorney who will gather extensive details, such as interviewing witnesses and looking for videos of the incident, you can expect a better potential outcome.
Going to Court
In all situations, settling your claim out of court can be beneficial. It speeds up the process and may help keep your legal fees lower. However, there are times when the insurance company simply will not treat you fairly, necessitating the filing of a lawsuit. Lawsuits will take longer to navigate, and they require numerous steps, including time for investigations and waiting for your turn in court. Working to avoid going to court is also one of the ways your dog attack attorney will help you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Dog Bite Lawyer in Nashville
At Selvidge Injury Law, our professional Nashville personal injury lawyers work with victims of dog bites who seek both swift settlements and fair compensation. Expect our team, and founding attorney, Adam W. Selvidge, to work diligently to help you receive your settlement quickly, utilizing all available resources to do so. Contact us now for a free consultation.