Arizona’s severe liability laws make dog owners answerable for attacks, enabling victims to pursue damages for emotional distress, lost income, and medical expenses.

After going to the hospital right away, it’s important to record what happened and talk to a lawyer to protect your legal rights.

So, if you’re wondering, “What are my rights if a dog attacks me?” Read on to learn more about Arizona dog bite laws.

Dogs are our treasured pets, but that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous, according to figures from the World Health Organization.

Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year.

These bites and injuries are not only painful and stressful; they can also cause long-term medical problems.

When someone is attacked in Arizona, they must know their legal rights and the steps to take.

What to do After a Bite

After a dog attack, you’re probably wondering, about your legal rights in the situation.

Your immediate concern shouldn’t be finding an Arizona personal injury lawyer.

Getting legal advice is secondary to protecting your health.

You should go to the emergency room as soon as possible so a doctor can clean the wound, check for:

• Any nerve damage
• Whether you need stitches
• If you need a tetanus shot

If the dog shows signs of rabies, you also need a rabies vaccine immediately.

According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, post-rabies treatment consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and a series of rabies vaccine shots.

Don’t gamble with your health when it comes to suspected rabies, as the treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.

Once you’re medically stable, try to create a clear record of what happened.

Take photos or videos of your injuries and document any evidence found at the scene of the incident.

Reach out to anyone involved for their personal details, including names and phone numbers of witnesses and the dog’s caretaker.

As you go through the medical process, collect medical documentation at every step.

Keep medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts for any expenses incurred.

Consider speaking to a dog bite attorney before talking to an insurance agent.

What Are My Rights if a Dog Attacks Me in Arizona?

So, what are your rights if a dog attacks you in public or private?

According to state law, in Arizona, you can usually pursue compensation if a dog bites you, whether it’s in a public or private space.

The one caveat is that you need to be in that private space legally.

If you’re trespassing on private land without the owner’s permission and you’re bitten by a guard dog, you might not have a case.

Otherwise, Arizona’s strict liability laws mean that the owner is held responsible.

In some cases, the dog owner could be found legally negligent.

For example, these rules apply if:

• The owner ignored leash laws
• Let the dog run loose
• They failed to control an aggressive animal

What Compensation Can You Seek After a Dog Bite?

You are entitled to seek compensation for several reasons.

You might seek payment for any of your medical bills, such as:

• ER care
• Surgery
• Follow-up treatment

You may claim lost wages if your injuries or attending medical appointments have prevented you from working in the aftermath of the injury.

You can pursue compensation if you have any long-lasting scarring or pain.

You may also claim compensation for emotional harm, such as developing severe anxiety around dogs or having nightmares after an attack.

While Arizona laws protecting dog bite victims are strong, insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid payouts.

So it’s important to get dog attack legal advice as soon as possible.

As soon as you’re physically able to do so, you should contact a local attorney who practices Arizona Personal Injury Law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Arizona?

Strong rights are meaningless if you fail to meet the deadline.

Arizona law sets short time limits for dog bite claims, and waiting too long can destroy a strong case.

The timeline still counts, even when injuries are serious.

If you rely on the Arizona strict liability statute, you typically have one year from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit.

You usually have two years from the attack if you rely on negligence, but a delay may make it more difficult to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

The safest choice is to treat the bite like any serious injury case and seek legal guidance well before any deadline.

What If the Dog Has Never Been Aggressive Before?

A common defense from the owners of dangerous dogs is that the aggressive animal had never shown such behavior previously.

Unfortunately for the owners, such things don’t affect the law.

The rules here in Arizona still apply even if the dog owner didn’t have any indication that the dog was aggressive.

As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to be in control at all times, so being taken by surprise won’t help an owner’s legal case. 

Take Your Next Steps After an Arizona Dog Bite

Life after a dog attack is often stressful and complicated.

Your health must come first, so see a doctor at once to prevent infection and create a clear record of what happened.

Once you are safe and treated, a new question quickly arises: What are my rights if a dog attacks me?

At that point, you should start to think about the law and what options you may have.

Arizona gives strong rights, but deadlines are short.

If you wait, evidence loses its value. By acting quickly and hiring a lawyer, you give yourself a fair chance at justice.

Here at Bailey Law Firm, our office works on a contingency fee for dog bite claims; you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully resolve your case.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

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