DOG BITE LAWYER IN BOISE, IDAHO

Nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually. This has resulted in homeowner's insurance liability claims that have reached a staggering $797 million in 2019 alone. Many of these accidents occur as a result of owner negligence. The owner either allowed an individual too close the pet or they gave the pet too much freedom to roam.

If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog, you may have sustained severe injuries and paid out thousands of dollars in medical bills. Shep Law Group can help you with your case. We offer comprehensive legal services for victims in cases that involve dog bites. Call us today and get a free case assessment from a dog bite lawyer in Boise, Idaho.

Idaho Dog Bite Laws

There is no official dog bite law on record in Idaho. Instead, the courts decide a case based on legal precedent or by existing personal injury laws. For instance, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years in Idaho. The same statute applies to injuries from dog bites. You have two years from the date of your injuries to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Idaho does, however, have a law for at-risk or dangerous dogs. According to Idaho statute title 25, Chapter 28, a person commits the crime of owning a dangerous dog if it can be established that the dog is dangerous. The state defines a dangerous dog as any dog that bites a person without justified provocation.

Idaho is a one-bite state; meaning, that there may be evidence that shows that the owner either knew the dog was dangerous or there is at least one instance of an attack in the past. Regardless of whether the dog was dangerous, the owner is still liable if they failed to practice reasonable control of the animal.

Dog Owner Defenses

Common defenses in a dog bite case include:

• The dog was defending a person who was being assaulted.

• The alleged victim was committing a crime on the property where the dog lives.

• The dog was protecting its offspring.

• The alleged victim was interrupting the dog as it was working or training.

• The dog was a service animal protecting the owner.

• The alleged victim was trying to break up a fight between two dogs.

In these particular cases, it can be difficult to establish owner liability for your injuries. Your attorney must be able to overcome the defenses and demonstrate that the owner’s negligence or carelessness is what led to your injuries.

Comparative Negligence

Dog bite cases fall under Idaho’s modified comparative negligence rule. In a comparative negligence case, you cannot recover damages for a dog bite if it can be established that you are at least 50 percent at fault for the accident. Comparative negligence can be applied to a variety of personal injury cases such as workplace accidents, car accidents, and dog bite cases.

Examples of comparative negligence cases may include:

• You were provoking the dog.

• You were attacking the dog’s owner.

• You were trying to break up a fight between two dogs.

• You were trespassing on someone’s property.

In each of these cases, the defense may argue that the dog’s actions were provoked. Therefore, you were at least 50 percent at fault for the accident.