My friend was on a public sidewalk walking past a parked car. A pit
bull inside the vehicle leaned out the open window and badly mauled my
friend's arm. He needed over 30 stitches to close the wounds. He
took photos and got names of witnesses and plans to see an attorney
later this week.
But my question is, if the dog was inside the vehicle and if the
vehicle was insured with liability insurance, does this cover a dog
bite under the circumstances I have mentioned. I called several
lawyers and none had an answer for me.
Paul Cassel
11-12-2003, 01:59 PM
LawZ wrote:
[dog lunges out of car. Attacks.] But my question is, if the dog was inside the vehicle and if the vehicle was insured with liability insurance, does this cover a dog bite under the circumstances I have mentioned. I called several lawyers and none had an answer for me.
I'd say file the claim, but expect the insurance company to deny it due to
the company indemnifying the driver of the car against his negligence in
vehicle operation - not all negligence.
For example, say the car operator did some work on the car and then the car
exploded hurting a passerby, I doubt the insurance would pay off. Yet, I'd
say, give it a shot. BTW, the dog operator may have some sort of umbrella
policy as part of his homeowners which does cover this circumstance.
-paul
ianal
James Alexander
11-12-2003, 02:00 PM
lawz911@hotmail.com (LawZ) wrote in message
news:<rd72rv0i0ni2ph7knv1nmsuj22phnudqud@4ax.com>...
My friend was on a public sidewalk walking past a parked car. A pit bull inside the vehicle leaned out the open window and badly mauled my friend's arm. He needed over 30 stitches to close the wounds. He took photos and got names of witnesses and plans to see an attorney later this week. But my question is, if the dog was inside the vehicle and if the vehicle was insured with liability insurance, does this cover a dog bite under the circumstances I have mentioned. I called several lawyers and none had an answer for me.
A prudent attorney will usually refuse to answer such questions
without conducting an independent investigation of the facts and the
law. To do otherwise could be malpractice.
Your friend needs to consult with a local personal injury attorney.
The attorney will handle the task of finding insurance or assets to
cover the damages -- that's his job.
Seth Breidbart
11-15-2003, 04:04 PM
In article <rd72rv0i0ni2ph7knv1nmsuj22phnudqud@4ax.com>,
LawZ <lawz911@hotmail.com> wrote:My friend was on a public sidewalk walking past a parked car. A pitbull inside the vehicle leaned out the open window and badly mauled myfriend's arm. He needed over 30 stitches to close the wounds. Hetook photos and got names of witnesses and plans to see an attorneylater this week.But my question is, if the dog was inside the vehicle and if thevehicle was insured with liability insurance, does this cover a dogbite under the circumstances I have mentioned. I called severallawyers and none had an answer for me.
Your friend has a case against the car/dog owner. The extent to which
damages are covered by insurance (car, homeowner/liability, whatever)
is the problem of the car/dog owner, who would be the defendant in
your friend's lawsuit (if it comes to that).
Seth
