It can take several weeks or even months to settle your dog bite injury claim. The truth is, there is no exact amount of time it takes for a dog bite injury claim to be settled. Read on to learn what influences the time it could take to reach a settlement in your claim.
Factors that Influence Dog Bite Claims
There are several factors that come into play in a dog bite injury case. For starters, you have to take into account how serious your injury is and whether the dog bite has caused other medical conditions. The Cleveland Clinic reports that dog bites can cause infections and even transfer rabies, which can require extensive treatment and extend the length of your case.
Your Medical Prognosis
You don’t want to settle your claim until you know the extent of your injuries, as you may miss out on recovering compensation if you require future medical treatment. Before accepting a settlement or even entering negotiations, you will want to be able to answer the following:
- Will your injury cause scarring?
- Will you need surgery?
- How will your injury impact your physical abilities in the future?
- Did you develop an infection after being bitten by a dog?
Your doctor should be able to answer these questions for you after a thorough examination of the bite. Once you have a prognosis from your physician, you will have a better idea of how much you should seek for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses you may have incurred.
Whether the Insurance Company Accepts Liability
The Insurance Information Institute (III) states that because most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance companies cover dog bite injuries, you could receive damages through a claim. However, there are times when an insurance company may not believe its policyholder is liable. If the insurance company isn’t willing to cover your dog bite-related damages, this could prolong the claims process.
It is important to understand that even if an insurance company denies your claim initially, this decision isn’t final. When you’re dealing with a carrier that doesn’t want to pay your claim, a personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you appeal and fight for fair compensation.
Appealing an Insurance Company’s Denial
When an insurance company denies a dog bite injury claim, yet coverage is available, you have the right to file an appeal. This means you acknowledge that you do not agree with the insurer’s decision and would like a second review.
When you choose to hire our law firm to assist with your dog bite injury claim, we will handle most of the appeals process for you so that you can continue to focus on recovering.
The Amount the Insurance Company Is Offering
Another factor that will affect how long it takes to settle your dog bite injury claim is how much the insurance company is offering for your injuries and other losses. It can be difficult to determine what a fair amount is while also considering policy limits and what your injuries are worth. Our team can assess the insurance company’s offer to see if the amount is reasonable and fair.
If the insurer offers you a fair settlement, then your claim may close rather quickly. However, if the offer is unreasonable and the policy allows for a higher payout, our lawyers can negotiate with the adjuster to try and get the value of the claim raised.
Why You Shouldn’t Settle Your Dog Bite Injury Claim Too Early
One of the benefits of retaining our legal counsel after suffering a dog bite injury is that we will help you make an informed decision about when you should settle your claim. Insurance companies sometimes try to settle quickly before victims have had ample time to consider how serious their injuries are or whether the amount offered is fair. They may consider you vulnerable and eager to obtain compensation.
If you settle too early, you may learn later that your injuries are more serious than what you had previously thought. In this case, you won’t be able to reopen your claim and request additional money. Once you accept a settlement offer, any damages not accounted for will have to come out of your own pocket.
Call in the Attorneys with the Strong Arm to Assist with Your Dog Bite Injury Claim Today
When pet owners in Dallas neglect to ensure their dogs are properly restrained or allow them to wander without considering the risks, they should be held accountable if their pet bites someone. If you want to hold a pet owner liable for your injuries, contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins.
Our team can guide you through the settlement process and help you recover compensation to address your damages. We offer free case reviews and would be happy to answer any legal questions or concerns you may have.
