Local office in Riverside, CA3610 Central Ave, Suite 207Directions

Bitten by a dog in Riverside?Talk to a lawyer for free.

California holds a dog's owner responsible from the first bite. In Riverside, call 311 to report the bite to County animal control.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll meet you at your home or hospital.
Get my free consultation
Call our Riverside office(909) 639-689024/7 line: (800) 985-9565

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

Valero Law Group team members welcoming a visitor at the office
Kyle Valero and his staff were very professional, friendly, and always willing to answer questions.
Bianca S.Valero Law Group clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for injured clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

View all results

Here to protect your interests, not the insurance company's

Insurance companies have a team.You should have one too.

Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, and insurers bring adjusters and lawyers to every serious claim. An adjuster may call within days, and what you say can shape the rest of your claim.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Were you in a public place, or lawfully on the property, when the dog bit you?
  2. Did the dog bite you, or knock you down or chase you?
  3. Will the settlement cover treatment, scarring and lost income months from now, not just today?

From one of our car accident cases

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car accident that left our client with a neck injury. Most people would have taken the offer. We won more than ten times as much.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

Get my free case review
A Valero Law Group team member at her desk, working on a case at two monitors

Our office in Riverside

Local dog bite lawyers,right here in Riverside.

Not every firm that advertises in Riverside has an office here. We do.

Our Riverside office is on Central Avenue in Magnolia Center. Come in, or we'll come to you anywhere in western Riverside County.

Nearby officesSan BernardinoPalm DesertWoodland Hills

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Real reviews fromour clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
Thank you, Valero Law Group, for getting me paid after I got bit by my neighbor's dog!
William D.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
Highly recommend this firm to anyone involved in an accident!
Chris F.Google review
Needed advice on a pending lawsuit. Mr. Kyle Valero answered all my questions. Eased my stress level! I would definitely go back to him!
TheresaGoogle review

What you can recover aftera dog bite in California.

The dog's owner can be held responsible for what it cost you, and their homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover the claim.

Economic damages

The costs you can add up

  • Emergency care and surgery
  • Plastic or reconstructive surgery and scar treatment
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Counseling after the attack

Non-economic damages

The harm that has no receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • $100,000Insurance required once a dog is declared dangerousOnce a dog is declared potentially dangerous or vicious, Riverside's Municipal Code (§8.04.070) has its owner carry $100,000 in liability insurance and take the dog through an obedience course. The rule applies after that declaration, not to every dog.
  • 2,830dog-related injury claims in California in 2025More than any other state, according to the Insurance Information Institute. They're typically paid by homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy limit.
  • 80%What you keep if you were 20% at faultCalifornia's pure comparative fault rule reduces your award by your share of the blame instead of erasing it.

After a dog bite in Riverside,what comes next.

Care for the bite, the report, the quarantine, who pays and the deadlines, explained.

Valero Law Group attorneys meeting around a conference table
  • Clean the bite and get it checked
    Wash the bite with soap under running water for five minutes. See a doctor if it's serious, or shows pain, redness, swelling or discharge. The risk of rabies from dogs in California is low, and your doctor decides whether you need rabies shots (CDPH).
  • Report the bite
    California requires dog bites to be reported. In the City of Riverside, call 311 or Riverside County Animal Services at (951) 358-7387: the County's officers handle bites in the city under contract. If the dog is still loose and dangerous, call 911. Ask for the report number.
  • The dog is quarantined
    The dog is then quarantined for at least 10 days to watch for signs of rabies, usually at the owner's home or at the County shelter in Jurupa Valley. Ask the owner for proof of the dog's rabies vaccination.
  • Write it down while it's fresh
    The owner's name and address, the dog, where it happened and who saw it. Take photos of your injuries as they heal, and keep the report number and every medical bill.
  • Who usually pays
    Dog bite claims are usually paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy's limit, not out of the owner's pocket. That matters when the dog belongs to a friend or a neighbor.
  • The deadlines
    Most dog bite lawsuits must be filed within two years. A claim against a public agency, such as the City of Riverside over a police dog, is usually due within six months.
A man and a boy in traditional Colombian hats and jerseys holding Valero Law Group signs at a community event

Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
Yesica H.Google review
Ver esta página en español

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a dog bite in Riverside.

The dog never bit anyone before. Is the owner still responsible?
Yes. There's no "one free bite" in California. The owner is responsible when the dog bites someone in a public place, or someone lawfully on private property, including the owner's own home or yard, even if the dog never bit anyone before (Civil Code §3342). A bite counts even if it didn't break the skin.
The dog knocked me down but didn't bite me. Do I have a claim?
Possibly. The dog bite law covers bites only, but if a dog knocked you down, jumped on you or chased you into the street, the owner can still be responsible if they were careless (Civil Code §1714), for example by letting it run loose against the leash law, or if they knew it was dangerous (CACI 462).
The dog belongs to a friend or neighbor. Who pays?
Usually the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy's limit. Most claims are made against that insurance, which exists for exactly this, rather than against the owner personally.
I was bitten by a tenant's dog. Is the landlord responsible?
Usually not, but it can be. California courts have held that a landlord can be responsible when the landlord actually knew the dog was dangerous and could have had it removed, for example by ending the lease. Talk to us about who may be responsible.
I was bitten by a police dog. Do I have a claim?
It depends. The dog bite law doesn't apply when a police dog bites a suspect during an arrest or investigation under the agency's written policy, but it can apply to a bystander who had nothing to do with it. In Riverside, a claim over a police dog goes to the City of Riverside, in writing, usually within six months.
My child was bitten. How long do we have?
For a child bitten by a privately owned dog, the two years to sue usually don't start until the child turns 18 (Code of Civil Procedure §352). A claim against a public agency still has the six-month deadline, and any settlement for a child has to be approved by a judge.
How much is my Riverside dog bite case worth?
It depends on your injuries, scarring, medical bills, lost income and the long-term effect on your life, and on the owner's insurance. The first offer is often low, so a free case review is the best way to know before you accept anything.
Do you have an office in Riverside?
Yes. Our office is at 3610 Central Ave, Suite 207, Riverside, CA 92506, in Magnolia Center. Come in if you like, or we'll come to you, at home or in the hospital. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

Our easy 3-stepcase review process.

We make getting legal help simple.

  1. Free consultationCall us 24/7 or fill out our form. We'll review your case at no cost.
  2. Review your caseOur experienced attorneys investigate and evaluate your case to build the strongest claim possible.
  3. Injury litigationWe fight for maximum compensation, in negotiation or in court.
Start my free case review

Don't wait. There are legal deadlines.

A Valero Law Group team member smiling beside a firm car with the VLG logo on the door

Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a dog bite lawyer about your Riverside case today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(909) 639-6890

24/7 line: (800) 985-9565

  • Available 24/7, including weekends
  • Hablamos español
  • Free and confidential, no obligation

Get your free case review

Free and confidential. Sending this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Thank you. We'll call you shortly.

If it's urgent, call us now at (909) 639-6890. We're available 24/7.

This is a design preview, so nothing was sent.

Dog bite lawyers at our nearest offices

Other cases we handle in Riverside

Riverside Personal Injury Lawyer
(909) 639-6890Free review