Your Winston-Salem Dog Bite Lawyers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog each year. Most dog bite victims are young children between 5 and 9-years-old. Dog attacks can lead to severe physical and emotional damage.
In fact, one in five victims of dog bite attacks will require medical attention for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog due to the negligence of the owner, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. It’s important for dog bite injury victims to have their claims reviewed by an experienced North Carolina dog bite attorney.
For help with your dog bite lawsuit, simply fill in the form to the left – it’s 100% FREE.
Dog Bite Incidents In Winston-Salem And Forsyth County
Winston-Salem is a city made up of established neighborhoods, apartment communities, and shared public spaces where residents and visitors interact daily. In these settings, dog bite incidents often happen during routine activities such as walking through residential areas, visiting friends or neighbors, or spending time outdoors.
Forsyth County’s mix of urban and suburban development means dog bites may occur in a wide range of circumstances, including situations where a dog is not properly restrained or where warning signs are unclear. For individuals who have never dealt with a dog bite injury before, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Medical care, reporting requirements, and insurance questions often arise quickly, leaving injured individuals and families navigating unfamiliar processes while recovering from a painful and sometimes traumatic experience.
A 2023 study ranked Winston-Salem 12th in the country among the most pet-friendly cities, reflecting an increase in dog ownership and accommodations for pets in everyday settings. The growing reputation as a pet-friendly city also means more dogs are likely to be present in public and shared spaces. As dogs become a more visible part of daily life in the city, the potential for preventable incidents can increase when proper safety measures are not followed.
Common Places Dog Bites Occur In Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, dog bite incidents can occur in locations where residents regularly gather with pets. The city includes a number of dog-friendly spaces that encourage interaction between animals and the public, which can increase risk when dogs are not properly supervised or restrained. Examples of local settings where incidents may occur include:
- Tanglewood Park, a well-known destination for dog walking and outdoor recreation
- Salem Lake Trail, where pets often accompany walkers and runners
- Bailey Park and Corpening Plaza, two downtown green spaces where residents and visitors frequently gather
- Dog-friendly patios and breweries, such as Foothills Brewing and Wise Man Brewing, where pets may be present in crowded environments
Beyond these locations, dog bites can also occur during routine interaction in residential and shared spaces throughout the city. Children are especially vulnerable in these situations because they may not recognize warning behaviors or understand how to react around unfamiliar animals.
Understanding where dog bites commonly occur helps explain why these injuries are not always preventable through caution alone. It also highlights why accountability matters when an owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
Steps To Take After Suffering A Dog Bite
Due to the complex nature of the dog bite laws here in North Carolina, it can be quite difficult to sue the owner of an attack dog, unless the attack has occurred within specific boundaries described in the law.
However, if you are a resident of North Carolina and have been either attacked by a dog or the victim of a dog biting incident, taking steps to document the incident shortly after the attack can help strengthen your lawsuit.
Some suggestions include:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Find out if the dog that caused the injury has been vaccinated for rabies.
- If possible to do so safely, take a picture of the dog that attacked you.
- Try to find out if the dog has a history of being aggressive and if they have attacked others in the past.
- Take photographs of your injury and file a report with your local animal control center or police department. Be sure to write down the time you called and the name of the person you spoke to about your injury.
- Write down the names of any witnesses who saw the attack and take a photo of the place where the attack occurred.
- Do NOT provide any information to an insurance agent or company, without consulting an attorney
- Report the dog attack to local authorities
This last point is quite important, as by reporting the bite attack to police, it establishes a documented record of the event and when it allegedly took place.
Medical Care After A Dog Bite In Winston-Salem
Prompt medical treatment is an important step after any dog bite, even when injuries initially appear minor. Dog bites can lead to infection, nerve damage, and long-term scarring if not properly treated. Injured individuals in Winston-Salem may receive care through:
- Emergency departments for severe or complex injuries
- Urgent care clinics for moderate wounds
- Primary care providers for follow-up treatment and monitoring
Medical professionals often focus on several immediate concerns, including:
- Cleaning and disinfecting the wound
- Assessing infection or rabies risk
- Determining whether stitches, antibiotics, or additional treatment are needed
Follow-up care may be required for deeper wounds or injuries involving sensitive areas such as the hands, face, or neck. Medical records created during treatment can later play an important role in documenting the extent of injuries and the care required.
In addition to seeking medical care, dog bite incidents are typically reported to local authorities. Reports are commonly handled by Forsyth County Animal Control, which helps document the incident and determine whether further action is needed to protect public safety.
Guidance on rabies exposure and post-incident health steps is also provided by the Forsyth County Department of Public Health.
Dog Bite Injuries Involving Children And Families
Children face a higher risk of serious injury in dog bite incidents due to their size and natural curiosity around animals. Injuries involving children often affect areas such as the face, head, or upper body and may result in lasting physical or emotional effects.
Dog bite injuries involving children may include:
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
- Facial injuries or scarring
- Emotional distress or fear around animals
For families, a dog bite injury can bring added stress beyond immediate medical concerns. Parents may need to coordinate follow-up care, monitor for complications, and address behavioral or emotional changes in their child. These challenges often arise alongside missed work, unexpected expenses, and questions about responsibility, making recovery a complex process for the entire household.
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NC Dog Bite Laws & Insurance Companies
Dog bite laws vary by state, county and city, so it is important to have the help of an experienced North Carolina dog bite attorney who understands the animal bite laws in your area.
Insurance companies will often ask dog bite victims to sign a “release” which will eliminate the injured party’s right to seek compensation for their injuries. Some insurance providers will also ask victims to sign a medical authorization to obtain their medical records and bills. It is important that Winston-Salem & Greensboro injury victims do not sign any documents without first speaking to a North Carolina dog bite attorney – as these kinds of actions may have a negative effect on your lawyer’s ability to collect proper compensation.
It must be noted that any information that you provide to an insurance company can and will be used against you in a court of law. Insurance companies and their damage assessors are NOT your friend. They are highly skilled at their jobs and are trained to obtain confidential information from you, when you are in a vulnerable position.
By employing the services of a skilled law firm, they will be able to act as a barrier against those questions, and will often prefer that you just re-direct any insurance-related inquiries directly to them.
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Why Local Experience Matters in Winston-Salem Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite claims often involve more than one party, including dog owners, property owners, insurance companies, and local agencies. Understanding how these cases are handled in Winston-Salem and throughout Forsyth County can significantly impact the efficiency of a claim’s progression. Local experience can help ensure that incident reports, medical records, and other documentation are gathered and reviewed in a timely manner.
At Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers, we believe that every North Carolina resident deserves access to legal counsel, regardless of their financial situation, so we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid until we obtain a favorable outcome for your claim.
We have an investigator on staff to help prepare your case and can apply our many years combined legal experience towards your litigation. Our skilled team of attorneys have won over $10 million in successful settlements and verdicts for our clients and are prepared to fight for your rights in a court of law.
For more information on the legal rights which may be available to North Carolina dog bite victims – and for your specific dog bite attack case, simply contact us today!
Alternatively, to schedule a no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team, please complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page.
