Being attacked by a dog can be a very traumatic event, and it is possible to sustain serious injuries. If you have been attacked by a neighbor's dog, you are entitled to a fair settlement. In this type of situation, don't try to handle securing a settlement on your own-- the best thing that you can do is hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will not cost you any money out of pocket, so don't let worries about the expense stand in the way. Some of the top reasons why you need to hire a personal injury lawyer after being attacked by a neighbor's dog include:

Accurate Valuation of Your Case

In order to get a fair settlement after being attacked by a dog, you need to actually know what your case is worth. Most people have no idea how to determine the value of a personal injury case, so they often get taken advantage of if they do not have legal representation. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to look at the facts of your case in order to give you an accurate valuation. Some factors that are considered when figuring out the value of a dog attack case include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages due to injuries, and pain and suffering.

Understanding Dog Attack Laws in Your State

Every state makes their own laws about dog attacks and what types of situations leave the dog owner liable. However, most normal citizens do not know what the dog attack laws in their state are. Your personal injury lawyer will have an in-depth understanding of the laws in your state, and he or she will be able to determine if the owner of the dog that attacked you is liable based on how the attack happened and local statutes.

Negotiate a Fair Settlement

In dog attack cases, the dog owner rarely pays the settlement out of pocket-- instead, the claim is processed through the dog owner's homeowner's insurance company. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, so they are not eager to award fair settlements if they don't have to. This is where having a personal injury lawyer representing you can make a big difference. Your lawyer will have the skills and expertise needed to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so you receive a settlement that is fair based on the evidence of your case.