When a dog hurts or bites people, the owners are usually held responsible for the action. This means that the injured might sue the owner for compensation which can include medical expenses. In fact, if you live in a place like Atlanta, you’d discover that there are laws stating that dog owners are legally responsible for preventing their dogs from damaging people’s property or injuring people. Other locations have similar statutes. Whether you own a dog or others in your neighborhood do, it’s important to be prepared. Nevertheless, read on to find out everything you need to know.
Speaking With a Lawyer
When someone else’s dog has hurt you, you should consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer to know your local laws, how to apply them in your situation, and the steps you need to proceed. There might be compensation for other damages the dog caused (to your own pets in your backyard, for example).
For instance, if you live in Atlanta and a person’s dog has injured you, your best bet is to discuss your options with an Atlanta personal injury law firm. Such firms have experience dealing with personal liability cases, especially when you are seriously injured and aren’t getting a fair settlement from the dog’s owner.
What You Should Do When Hurt By a Dog
There are specific steps you should take promptly after a dog bites you or your child has been injured by a dog. Let’s find out what they are:
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Collect the name and phone number of the dog’s owner and witnesses
Having these details will be extremely helpful in filing a lawsuit. You can also ask for that information if the owner has liability insurance. Also, collecting the information of witnesses is vital to help you back up your version of the story if there is a later disagreement between you and the dog owner or if you don’t know the dog’s owner.
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Take pictures
If possible, you should take a picture of the dog, the injuries you sustained, and other things in your immediate surroundings that can help substantiate our case. They can include the fence hole or open gate where the dog came through.
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Seek medical attention if needed
If the injuries you sustained are serious and you need medical attention, it is advised you seek it immediately. Additionally, ensure you keep a record of hospital visits, doctors’ offices, and bill copies.
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Report the situation to animal control or other authorities
This step should be vital, especially when the dog has no license tag and you don’t know the owner. Most cities and some states will require the dog to be quarantined after it has bitten a person. This is done to know if it is rabid, so the authorities usually pick up the dog for this purpose. If available in your location, you can also check the animal control department for records to know if the dog has previously attacked someone else. This helps negotiate with the owner or the insurance adjuster and can help you win the case if it goes to court.
That’s A Wrap
When a dog has bitten you or your loved one, you might be entitled to compensation for damages caused by the injuries. However, it can be complicated to determine your legal rights, and it might also be unclear to know who the claim is against or the type of damages you are entitled to. So, to ensure you get fair compensation, you should contact a personal injury lawyer with experience and expertise in handling dog or animal bite cases.