Once again, California has been named the top state in the United States when it comes to the number of people injured by dogs each year. According to analyses by the Insurance Information Institute (III) and State Farm, there were 2,166 dog bite claims in California in 2018. Each claim averaged $45,543, with a total of $98.6 million paid out to dog bite victims that year. By comparison, the closest ranking state was Florida, where there was roughly 40 percent of the number of claims as California—1,281—for a total of $56.2 million in claims in that state. The total number of claims across the nation amounted to $675 million, accounting for roughly 17,297 injuries by dogs.
Notably, the claims reported by the III were for injuries beyond dog bites. Non-bite injuries were also included, such as injuries that happen when a dog knocks over a person or knocks a bicyclist from his bike, for example.
Nothing is more terrifying than being attacked or mauled by a dog. If you or someone you loved experienced a dog bite injury or non-bite dog-related injury, then our dog bite attorney wants to know. Our experienced dog bite team can help you recover all of your dog-bite-related expenses, from lost wages to medical costs and pain and suffering, among others. Call us as soon as possible after the attack to discuss your case.
Dog Bites Account for 1/3 of All Homeowner’s Insurance Claims
Dog bite attacks are far from unusual. In fact, liability claims stemming from dog bite attacks and non-bite injuries accounted for roughly one-third of all claims on homeowners’ insurance policies in 2017. Dog attacks can be brutal; in 2015, 28,000 people sustained injuries so horrifically during their dog bite attacks that they needed reconstructive surgery as a result. And with so many dogs kept as pets in this country, it’s easy to see why there are so many bites. Americans keep 90 million dogs as domestic pets, notes the III. Around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, with the bulk of them being children.
Most Dangerous Dog: Pit Bull
While any dog is subject to turning aggressive, the pit bull is the most notoriously dangerous dog breed, say researchers. Between the years 2005 to 2017, there were 430 reported deaths due to dog mauling in the United States. Pit bulls, which make up just 6.5 percent of the dog population, were responsible for 66 percent of those fatalities, or 284 of the 430 deaths. Other dangerous breeds combined, including the Rottweiler, German shepherd, American bulldog, and bullmastiff, cannot hold a candle to the scary killing record of the pit bull.
Advocates for Dog Bite Victims
The Los Angeles dog bite attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg have successfully collected damages for many of our clients who were attacked and mauled by vicious dogs. We are staunch advocates for the injured because we know how scary it can be to undergo a horrific attack. You are not alone. Reach out to our Los Angeles attorney team now to discuss your case by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904.