If you are injured by a dog, then, generally, you must demonstrate that the dog owner or custodian was negligent.

The owners and/or custodians of dogs are responsible for property damage and personal injuries caused by their dogs when the owners and/or custodians are negligent.  Negligence is defined as the owner or custodian failing to use ordinary care as a dog owner/handler or acting in an unreasonable fashion.

Negligence of the Other Driver:

In Virginia, in order to successfully make a claim for personal injuries sustained in an automobile accident, you must prove that the driver of the vehicle that hit you was “negligent.”  “Negligent” simply means that the other driver acted unreasonably under the circumstances.

In relation to a motor vehicle crash, negligence can typically be shown by demonstrating that the other driver violated a traffic law or other well-accepted “rule of the road.”  Running a stop sign or red light, changing lanes without using a signal, turning in front of oncoming traffic or speeding are all examples of negligent driving.  Negligence does not mean that the other driver is a bad person or that he did something purposely to hurt you.  (Those types of claims are the subject of another book I am writing.)

When you make a personal injury claim, you must understand that you expose your life to the scrutiny of well trained and highly skilled insurance professionals and risk mangers.  These folks will do everything in their power to intimidate you and minimize or negate your recovery for the damages you have suffered.