While some states have laws in effect that hold an owner liable if his or her dog bites someone and causes an injury, this type of legislation has not been passed in Nevada. Instead, a dog owner does not have to pay damages to a victim unless his or her dog is deemed to be a vicious or dangerous animal or the owner is found to be negligent.
What the Law Says About Dog Bites in Nevada
Therefore, according to Nevada law, dog owners are not considered instantly liable if their dogs bite someone and have never bitten anybody before the attack. However, once a dog does bite someone, the animal is considered dangerous from that time forward. A personal injury lawyer in Sparks, NV will tell you that making this distinction is important. Once an event has happened, the dog’s classification will determine the liability of an owner in future similar cases.
In addition, attorneys at such legal firms as Houston & Lyon Injury Law Center state that most of the counties and cities in the state mandate owners as well as victims to report dog bites to the proper authorities. Regardless of your locale, it is essential to review the dog bite regulations for your area.
The Definition of a “Dangerous” Dog
When speaking to a personal injury lawyer, you do have a case if you were recently bitten by a dog that has already been established as “dangerous.” According to state law, such a dog has behaved threateningly to people twice during an 18-month period and has caused injury without provocation. The dog was also off-leash when an incident or incidents occurred.
By the time a dog is classified as “vicious,” it has attacked a person, causing a great deal of injury or even death. At this point, an owner cannot legally keep the animal or give it up for adoption. If you have been bitten by a dangerous or vicious dog, then you need to speak to a personal injury lawyer. Set up a free consultation to determine how you can proceed with your case.
