Paceline Law P.C. helps bicycle accident victims in Lafayette and the East Bay. Bicycle accidents can happen for many reasons, but one common and serious cause is being chased by a dog. This is dangerous, especially when you’re on a bike, and can lead to serious injuries. But you still have options. Contact our firm today for a free consultation to learn more.
Should You Work with Our Team?
Any accident can cause injuries, but whether you need our help depends on your situation. If your injuries are minor, you might not need legal action. However, if you’ve been bitten or chased by a dog while riding your bike, the injuries can be more serious. In this case, our team can help you by:
- Explaining your rights and options.
- Looking into what happened.
- Helping you gather important evidence.
- Guiding you through the claims process to make it easier for you.
If you’ve had this kind of accident, you probably have a lot of questions. We’re here to answer them during your free consultation. Plus, if you decide to file a claim, you won’t have to pay anything upfront, as we work on a contingency-fee basis.
Who’s Liable in a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident?
Probably the most common question you have if you’re in a dog chase bicycle accident revolves around liability–or who is legally responsible. Especially in cases of a dog chase bicycle accident, the specifics are very important.
Under the law in California, dog owners are “strictly liable” for any damage or injury their dog causes. While this law mainly addresses typical dog bite cases, it also applies if a dog chases you and bites you, causing you to be involved in an accident.
Even if the dog chases you without actually biting you, you are still protected by negligence laws. This means the owner can be held legally responsible if the chase results in an accident. To further prove this, you’ll need to show that:
- The dog owner had a responsibility to prevent accidents and injuries.
- The owner failed to meet that responsibility.
- You or someone else was injured in a biking accident.
- There’s a clear link between the owner’s failure and your injury (proximate cause).
Given the uniqueness of this situation, it can be hard to know what to do or where to seek help. However, like any bicycle accident or dog bite case, the injuries and damages can be serious. But even before that, you need to know what to do right after the accident happens so you can protect yourself.
How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Dog Chase Bicycle Accident?
Before thinking about your legal options, you have to take certain steps to gather the information and evidence you’ll need for a claim. Even with a dog bite (where liability is clear), these steps are incredibly helpful. Following these steps not only helps protect your health but also your potential claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Get to safety – Move away from traffic and any dangers to a safe spot, away from the dog if you can.
- Call 911 – Check yourself for injuries and be aware of any other hazards around you. Even if you feel fine initially, it’s important to get medical help. Call 911 for an ambulance so you can be checked by EMTs at the scene and then go to an emergency room or urgent care if needed. Follow up with your doctor for any treatment.
- Document the accident scene – Write down any injuries you have for medical and legal reasons. This helps link them to the accident. Also, take pictures of where the accident happened, including any damage to your bike.
- Try to find the dog’s owner – If you can, look for the dog’s owner and exchange contact information for insurance purposes.
- Call police and animal control services – Report the accident to the Lafayette Police Department or the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, and reach out to animal control for safety and next steps.
- Keep track of evidence – Hold on to any physical evidence from the accident, like damaged items. If you can, get statements from witnesses and keep records of any medical treatment and conversations with authorities for your claim later.
Every situation is different, so you might not be able to follow all these steps, especially if you can’t find the dog’s owner or are more seriously hurt. My team can help you through this situation by leveraging our resources. We’ll make sure you have the information and evidence needed for a strong claim.
What Are Your Legal Options After These Accidents?
One thing that’s universal in a dog chase bicycle accident in Lafayette is the damage that you experience. You face the same potential injuries as in any bicycle accident, plus the added impact of a dog bite. Essentially, you are dealing with two different types of accidents at one time.
Still, you have the right to file an injury claim against those responsible, usually the dog’s owner who chased or bit you. You do this by either filing:
- An insurance claim
- A personal injury lawsuit
At that point, you have the same access to legal damages as you would in any other type of accident. These usually include things like:
- Medical expenses and treatment costs
- Ongoing care needs
- Costs related to any scarring or disfigurement from the bite
- Repair or replacement costs for your bike or other damaged items
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses if there are fatal injuries
Even though dog owners are generally held responsible under strict liability laws if their dog bites you, insurance companies might try to pay you less, especially if the incident occurred while you were biking. Further, you still have to file within California’s statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident to even have a shot at recovering these damages.
Why Do Dog Chase Bicycle Accidents Happen?
Unlike a normal bicycle accident, a dog chase accident is usually much more isolated. It unfortunately has a lot to do with time and place. If you’re riding in your local neighborhood or through a park, you’re probably more likely to encounter a dog. But that doesn’t necessarily tell you how these accidents happen. If you want to be prepared, you’ll need to look at the underlying causes:
- Not being leashed – Dogs that aren’t on a leash can suddenly run onto the road, surprising cyclists and causing crashes.
- Aggressive behavior – Some dogs may see you and other bicyclists as threats and try to chase them away, which can lead to accidents.
- Lack of training – Dogs that haven’t been properly trained may not listen to their owners when told to stay or come back, making them more likely to chase.
- Lack of supervision – Dog owners who let their pets roam without supervision increase the chances of accidents happening.
- Curiosity and instinct – Dogs naturally want to chase moving things. Bicycles, especially with their spinning wheels, can trigger this instinct.
- Sudden movements – Speeding by the dog might activate their prey drive, which can then cause them to chase you.
- Unfamiliar sights and sounds – Dogs that aren’t used to seeing or hearing bicycles, especially in quieter areas, may be more likely to chase them.
- Lack of awareness – If you aren’t paying attention, you may not see a dog until it’s too late to avoid a collision.
- Erratic riding -If you swerve or make sudden turns, it might provoke a dog’s urge to chase.
No matter the cause, a dog chase bicycle accident can lead to injuries from both the bike crash and the dog. Knowing why these accidents happen, and what your options are if you’re involved in one, is key to your ability to recover.
Dog Chase Bicycle Accident Victims in Lafayette Can Rely on Paceline Law
A bicycle accident in Lafayette, especially one caused by a dog chasing you, can be very stressful and lead to serious injuries that impact your quality of life. At Paceline Law, our experienced team is here to help you. If you’ve been injured in a dog chase bicycle accident, contact us today for a free consultation. You can rely on our experience and guidance.
