Dog bites cause major problems for both the dog’s owner and the bite victim. If victims file an injury claim, dog owners could face steep financial consequences for their dog’s attack.
For victims, the problems include serious physical injury and associated medical costs, emotional trauma, and potential financial instability from lost earnings during recovery time or other expenses incurred by the injury.
To mitigate the problems arising from a dog bite incident, dog owners and victims need to know, “Do I have to report a dog bite to my insurance?” North Charleston dog bite lawyers recommend reporting the dog bite to your insurance as soon as possible. Our team provides free case reviews for injury victims and a “no fee unless we win” guarantee for those who move ahead with a dog bite claim.
Reporting Steps Dog-Bite Victims Should Take
Dog bite victims should seek immediate medical attention after an incident. Even bite wounds in dogs that do not seem particularly dangerous could lead to infections or other complications. Dogs’ saliva carries bacteria that could enter the body through the bite, or victims could respond to the saliva with a serious allergic reaction.
Other dog bites obviously require fast attention. A dog’s powerful jaw can break bones, and bites can tear skin, muscles, nerves, and other soft tissue, potentially causing permanent damage. Prompt care allows for fast diagnosis and treatment and puts victims in the best position to reach maximum recovery and avoid complications.
Reporting Protects Finances
In seeking medical care, victims report the dog bite to their insurance company through their doctors’ reports. Prompt reporting not only protects the victim’s health, it also helps safeguard their finances. While insurance coverage is supposed to protect clients from high medical costs, insurance companies are ultimately businesses first, and their primary goal is to secure their own assets–not make payouts.
When you have your injury documented right away, you show your insurance company you did everything possible to prevent the injury from worsening and requiring more intervention. If you postpone care, your insurance company may use that decision to reject your claim. Medical documentation showing you took all the right steps at the right time makes it harder for insurance companies to dismiss your claim.
Reporting Protects Your Dog-Bite Lawsuit
Reporting a dog bite to insurance also protects your possible dog bite lawsuit. If you wait to seek care and report the dog bite later, the dog owner may argue you were not truly injured in the attack and inflated or fabricated your condition after the fact.
Or, they may claim your condition only worsened because you failed to get immediate intervention–not because the initial bite was so damaging.
Additional Reporting Steps
After getting medical care and reporting the dog bite to your insurance, you should connect with an experienced dog bite lawyer from Shelly Leeke. Once our legal partnership begins, we can handle communication with your insurance company and representatives for the at-fault party. We will fight for fair coverage and just compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Though you do not have to report a dog bite in South Carolina, making a report supports your case and the safety of your community. Local animal control authorities can complete an official investigation, which can support your injury claim. They can also take steps to keep those in the community safe from possible further attacks.
When Dog Owners Should Report to Insurance
In South Carolina, with few exceptions, dog owners are always liable for dog bites. South Carolina Code Title 43 Chapter 3 lays out the State’s comprehensive laws, including its strict liability policy in Code 43-3-110. There is no “free first bite” condition–dog owners are liable for paying damages the first time their dog hurts someone.
The best time for dog owners to disclose their dog-ownership with their insurance company is when purchasing coverage. Failure to disclose this information could lead to coverage denial after an incident occurs. Insurance companies deem some dog breeds more dangerous than others–it is on owners to make sure they are clear about their dog’s breed and recognize that some come with higher insurance premiums or restrictions.
By making this initial report to your insurance company as a dog owner, you can save yourself problems in the long run. Your insurance company might have incentives for lowering your premium, such as having your dog professionally trained and socialized. You may also decide to purchase an umbrella policy to provide more coverage in the event of a bite.
After Your Dog Bites
If your dog does bite someone, you should report the dog bite to your insurance quickly. You will need to provide details of the incident, information on the victim’s injuries, the presence of eyewitnesses, and other relevant information. Your insurance company will want to initiate its own investigation into the incident.
The company may ask for your dog’s training and veterinary record and look into its history. Take care to preserve documentation of all efforts you have taken to keep your dog healthy and non-aggressive. Proof of your efforts can affect how your adjuster assesses the claim.
A scenario exempting dog owners from dog-bite liability is trespassing. Typically, bite victims cannot file a dog bite claim or sue if they were trespassing when the dog attacked. You should still report the dog bite to your insurance but emphasize that the victim was on your property unlawfully so your company can prepare to challenge a potential suit.
Report to Insurance and Call Shelly Leeke
Getting medical help and reporting the dog bite to insurance are critical steps to take upon sustaining a dog bite. After that, connect with a skilled dog-bite attorney from Shelly Leeke. Once we take your case, we will manage all legalities, evidence gathering, and communication with insurance companies.
South Carolina clearly establishes a dog owner’s liability in dog-bite situations. We will work to apply that law and uphold your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
