QUESTION: I was bitten by my neighbor’s dog. Do I need to file a lawsuit against my neighbor to get my medical bills covered? I don’t want to strain our relationship.
ANSWER:
No, you don’t have to file a lawsuit against your neighbor to cover your medical bills or receive compensation for your injuries. In most cases, this situation is handled through an insurance claim rather than a lawsuit, meaning it’s primarily between you and your neighbor’s insurance provider, not a direct legal action against your neighbor.
Here’s how it works: You notify your neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance company about the dog bite incident. Typically, the insurance company will reach out to interview you, and possibly your neighbor, to understand the circumstances. Once that’s done, your neighbor is no longer involved in the claims process. The homeowner’s insurance policy is designed to cover situations like this. While there may be a slight increase in your neighbor’s insurance premiums, the insurance company covers your medical costs, not your neighbor personally.
Dog Bites Are Usually Just Insurance Claims
In most dog bite cases, it’s just an insurance claim, not a lawsuit.
For more information, check out these helpful resources:
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, contact attorney Jacob S. Gunter at (801) 373-6345 for a free consultation on filing an insurance claim and protecting your rights.
