Best Dog Bite Attorneys in Tempe

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Tempe, Arizona?

  For non-emergency situations, you can contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Tempe, Arizona?

  To request a copy of a police report in Tempe, one must first complete a written request form as shown in this link: https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/81057/637226384939270000. Then, either submit the filled-out form in person by dropping it by the Police Headquarters at City Hall, 31 East 5th Street. Another option is to send it by mail addressed to 120 East 5th Street.

• Does Tempe require that a dog bite victim prove that the dog owner's negligence led to the incident?

  No. In Tempe and other parts of Arizona, the strict liability rule is followed when it comes to dog bites. This means that the dog owner is fully responsible for the injuries and other damages that their dog causes. The rule applies even if the owner is unaware that their dog has the potential to become aggressive or if they practice due diligence in preventing incidents.

• Can a dog owner be held responsible if their dog bites a trespasser in Tempe?

  No. There are two exceptions to the strict liability rule on dog bites in Tempe. The first one is when the dog bites an individual who unlawfully enters the property of its owner. The second is when the victim provoked or harassed the dog, which triggered the dog to attack and bite them.

• A dog boarding at a pet hotel in Tempe bit a customer who was dropping off their pet. Who will be liable for the damages: the owner or the pet hotel?

  Under Arizona laws, the "keeper" of an animal is liable for injuries or property damage caused by the animal. The keeper does not necessarily mean the owner; it can be a person who "harbors, protects, or shelters" the animal. In the given case, the pet hotel in Tempe is primarily liable for the victim's injuries since the dog was currently lodged with them when the incident happened.

• Until when can a dog bite victim file a lawsuit against the dog owner in Tempe?

  If you are bitten by a dog in Tempe or other areas in Arizona, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim in court from the dog's owner. If you fail to initiate the legal process within this period, you may lose your right to recover any damages or bring other actions against the dog owner.

• How do lawyers estimate the value of damages a dog bite victim can pursue compensation for in Tempe?

  The amount of damages a dog bite victim in Tempe can recover largely depends on the impact of the sustained injury/ies. A lawyer will first consider the economic damages, such as the medical costs the victim incurred and any lost wages due to the incident. The resulting amount will then be modified by multipliers representing non-economic damages like the trauma, disfigurement, or emotional trauma the incident caused the victim. The final value will be the rough estimate of damages to be demanded from the dog owner.