Accidents involving wild and domestic animals that may have strayed onto the road are common across the country. There are also cases where animals have attacked and injured or killed people on foot to various destinations. The type of the animal involved come into play when there is an accident involving the animals. Each animal category has a different determination depending on the circumstances of the accident.
A case of negligence
The law puts the responsibility on the animal controller or the owner to ensure that the animal he or she handles is not a danger to people around him. If they fail to manage the animal adequately such that it causes an accident, they are liable for the injury and damage that results from the accident under the provisions of the law of negligence. You need to prove that the animal holders failed in their duty to handle the animals properly and led to the injury.
You can also use the same provision for accidents at the zoo if you can prove that the zookeepers did not take enough care to prevent injuries from zoo animals. California premises liability laws provide that zoos must ensure that the facility is safe for the patrons.
Dog Bites
There are specific laws that cover dog bites in California. The owner of the dog is held liable should the dog bite someone in a public place such as the park or on the street. He or she is also held responsible if the dog bites someone in private property if the person in question has legal right to be on the property. Such people include the postal workers, guests of the homeowner, and meter readers. California is a strict liability state that does not take into consideration whether the owner knew or did not know that the animal was dangerous.
Animals with dangerous propensities
In addition, domestic animals with known dangerous propensities such as a horse, cat, and other pets are under the responsibility of the owner to be managed such that they do not injure other people. Therefore, if you are injured by a horse when riding on it, the owner is liable for the injury.
Wild animals.
As for the wild animals, the law believes that any wild animal is likely to cause injury. As such, the owner of the animal is strictly held liable for the injury meted by the animals to others. In such cases, you are not required to determine whether the owner was negligent to be awarded the damages.
It is important to seek the help of a competent personal injury attorney to rove your case on the floor of the court and maximize the amount you might get from the personal injury claim. At Johnson Attorneys Group we have competent personal injury lawyers with several years of experience, and a deep understanding of California personal injury laws. We will do a free case evaluations and do not charge a legal fee until your case is determined and settled. Contact us today for assistance in personal injury cases.
|