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Do You Have a Case Under Illinois Law If an Attacking Dog Caused You to Wreck a Bicycle?
Riding a bicycle can be a great way to exercise, save on transportation costs, and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, bicyclists are vulnerable to various hazards, including motor vehicle collisions, road hazards, and —surprisingly—dog attacks.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a dog attack in Illinois, you may wonder if you have a case under Illinois law.
In this blog post, we’ll explore your rights and how a personal injury lawyer at Onward Injury Law can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Illinois Animal Control Act
The Illinois Animal Control Act is a statute that provides significant protection for individuals who are injured by dog bites or dog attacks.
Under this law, if you’ve been injured by a dog and you were in a place where you had the right to be or were peacefully conducting yourself, and you did not provoke the dog, you have a winning dog bite case against the owner or person controlling the dog.
This law applies whether you were bitten or knocked off your bicycle due to the dog’s attack.
Recovering Damages Under Illinois Law
If you have a case under the Illinois Animal Control Act, you may be entitled to recover damages for all of the typical damages that would apply under Illinois law for a personal injury case.
This includes:
- Medical bills
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Disability
- Loss of normal life
- Any other damages you have suffered due to the dog attack
It’s important to note that to recover these damages, you will need a source of recovery. In most cases, this will be the homeowner’s insurance policy of the defendant.
Identifying Insurance Coverage
Identifying the insurance coverage available to compensate you for your losses can be complex, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
A lawyer can help you determine what kind of insurance coverage might be available and guide you through the claims process. This could include the homeowner’s insurance policy of the dog owner, a renters policy, or a personal umbrella policy.
Filing an Animal Control Report
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a dog attack, it’s important to file an animal control report immediately. This will help create a record of the incident and any dangerous dogs in the community, which can help prevent future incidents.
Contacting animal control is also important because it helps ensure the dog is properly quarantined and observed for signs of rabies or other diseases.
Get a Free Consultation with Onward Injury Law
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a dog attack in Illinois, you may have a case under the Illinois Animal Control Act. It’s important to file an animal control report immediately and to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the claims process and identify the insurance coverage available.
With the help of a lawyer, you can recover the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE consultation if you have any questions about your legal rights.
During a consultation, you can learn more about your rights under Illinois law, get help valuing your case, and determine whether pursuing legal action is the right choice for you.
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