How Do I Pay My Medical Bills After A Dog Bite?

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In most instances, a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance will cover the medical bills arising from a dog bite on their property. Homeowner’s insurance also usually covers bites inflicted by the policyholder’s dog, regardless whether the insurance company accepts liability for the bite.

One problem: homeowner’s insurance policy limits may not be enough to cover all the costs of medical bills. In this case, other avenues of compensation must be explored. Most homeowner’s policies provide a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability, while the upper end has limits of $300,000 to $500,000.

Car Insurance

In the cases that a homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover bites that occur in a vehicle, a dog owner’s auto insurance might. If a victim was bit by a dog that was in the back of a truck or with its head out the window, it’s possible that both homeowner’s insurance and auto insurance is responsible. This is a matter for the insurance companies to resolve themselves.

Animal Insurance

If a dog is a “repeat offender” – meaning it has bit someone before – many insurance companies will refuse to insure the dog. That opens the door for specialty insurance companies that insure dogs and provide coverage for pet owners.

Victim’s Health Insurance

Instead of dipping into personal savings or borrowing money, it’s best to just use health insurance first when a dog bite occurs. If an injury claim is filed afterwards against the dog owner, a portion of that settlement will go to the medical facility as reimbursement.

If the dog bite victim does not have health insurance, it’s often best to consult with an experienced dog bite attorney. It’s likely the attorney will help you put a lien on your medical bills, delaying payment until after the case is settled. This also gives the victim or the victim’s attorney time to negotiate the medical payments down, saving the client money.

Legal Options After A Dog Bite

If you’ve been bitten by a dog or other domestic animal in Washington State, you may want to explore your legal options — especially if you sustained serious injuries. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers will be able to help you determine who is at fault. Get help today by having an injury attorney provide an initial evaluation of your claim.

Call Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at 206-727-4000, fill out the form on this page or use the chat feature below for a free case evaluation.

Dog Bite Victims: Know Your Rights

Get your complimentary copy of “When The Dog Bites: The Essential Guide To Dog Bite Claims In Washington” absolutely free by clicking the “Order Now” button below. Award-winning dog bite attorney Chris Davis has written a series of FREE books, including one about dog bite cases in Washington state. These books answer common legal questions that people and their loved ones may have about their legal rights, including how to handle your claim on your own and when you might need an attorney’s help.

The Washington Accident Books™ is a collection of books, reports, and other materials designed to educate the public about the nature of accidents and the legal rights of injury victims. The Washington Accident Books™ were created as a public service for Washington state residents and is sponsored by award-winning author and attorney Chris Davis of Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers