Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC represents bicycle accident victims in Lexington. There’s numerous reasons bicycle accidents happen, but one of the most damaging involves being chased by a dog. This is dangerous in any situation, but especially if you’re riding your bike. It makes accidents and injuries more serious, but you still have options. Contact our Lexington bicycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more.
Should You Work With Our Lawyers?
Any accident brings the possibility of injuries, but whether you need to work with our lawyers depends on your circumstances. Ideally, your accident and injuries are minor, and legal action isn’t necessary.
However, in cases of bicycle accidents after being chased and bitten by a dog, significant injuries are likely. This makes the situation much different. Our team can offer substantial legal support to you and your family by:
- Explaining your legal options and rights.
- Investigating what happened.
- Helping you gather crucial evidence.
- Guiding you through the claims process to ease your burden.
If you’ve experienced such an accident, you probably have many questions. We’re committed to addressing them in our initial consultation, which is free of charge. Furthermore, if you choose to go forward with a claim, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost to you.
Does a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident Change Liability?
There’s no denying that a dog chase bicycle accident is unique, especially in terms of liability. Kentucky law is clear when it comes to injuries caused by dog bites: the owner is fully responsible under the state’s “strict liability” law.
While this law is designed with more typical dog bite scenarios in mind, it also applies in situations where the dog is chasing you and bites and pulls you off your bike. However, in situations where the dog chases you but doesn’t actually bite you, you’re still protected under negligence laws. Basically, the owner can still be held responsible if the chase leads to an accident. You would just have to show that:
- The dog owner had a duty to prevent accidents and injuries.
- The owner failed to fulfill this duty.
- You or someone else was injured in a biking accident.
- There’s a clear connection between the owner’s failure and the injury (proximate cause).
Being that this is such a specific scenario, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what to do. However, like any bicycle accident or dog bite, your injuries and other damages can be significant.
What Are Your Damages in a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident?
As you might expect, your damages in a dog chase bicycle accident in Lexington can be huge. Not only do you have the same potential injuries in a bicycle accident, but you also have to factor in the dog bite itself. In essence, you’re looking at two separate types of accidents in one incident.
In terms of your damages, you still have the same right to file an injury claim against the people responsible. This is likely going to involve the owner of the dog that either chased or bit you, but you can potentially recover things like:
- Medical expenses and treatment costs
- Ongoing care needs
- Costs relating to any scarring/disfigurement from the bite
- Repair/replacement costs for your bicycle or other damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses, in the event of fatal injuries
In Kentucky, if a dog bites you, the owner is usually responsible under strict liability laws. But insurance companies may try to reduce how much they pay you, particularly if it happens while you’re riding your bike.. They often look at what you do after the bite. So, it’s important to do what you can to protect your claim and strengthen it.
How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident?
Even though a dog chase bicycle accident is somewhat unusual, it also doesn’t change the process for what you need to do after the accident happens. Not only will this protect your health, it also has the added benefit of protecting your legal rights. So, you need to make sure to do the following:
- Get to safety – Move away from traffic and potential dangers to a secure area, away from the dog if possible.
- Check your injuries – Check yourself for injuries and watch out for any other hazards.
- Get medical attention – Even if you feel okay, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor or professional. You can do this at the scene with EMS workers, then seek further care at an emergency room or urgent care. Follow up with your doctor for additional treatment.
- Document your injuries – Write down any injuries you have for medical and legal purposes. This connects them to the incident.
- Find the dog’s owner – If possible, find the dog’s owner and exchange contact information for insurance reasons.
- Inform police and animal control – Notify Lexington PD or the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department about the accident and contact animal control for safety and next steps.
- Document the scene – Take pictures of the accident scene, including damage to your motorcycle and its location. Write down details about what happened.
- Keep evidence – Don’t get rid of any physical evidence from the accident, such as damaged items. Also, get witness statements if possible, and keep records of any medical treatment and conversations with authorities for potential legal actions later on.
Obviously, every situation is different. Thus, you might not be able to take some of these steps. This is another area where our experienced dog bite lawyers can step in and help. We’ll make sure you have the information and evidence you need for a strong claim.
Helping Victims of Dog Chase Bicycle Accidents in Lexington
Being injured in a dog bite or bicycle accident can be emotionally and physically challenging. When both occur together, it’s almost unthinkable. However, your primary focus should be on recovering. Our team of Lexington bicycle accident lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC is here to help you every step of the way.
We’ll look at your situation, explain your options, then guide you through the legal process with skill and dedication. Most of all, we’ll fight for your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
