Atlanta Dog Bite Attorney
Atlanta has many fun dog parks, making this an easy city to own a pet. Almost 750,000 households in the Atlanta metro area reported having at least one dog in their home in 2021. When a dog attack happens, though, you need the help of an experienced dog bite attorney when dealing with the dog’s owner and insurance company.
If you suffered dog bite injuries after a dog’s owner allowed the dangerous animal unrestricted movement, then call the dog bite injury attorneys at the Pendergrass Law Firm. We hold dog owners accountable for injurious dog bites. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.
How much can you sue for a dog bite in Georgia?
Dog bite cases vary based on how expensive your medical treatment and other damages are.
Call us now to schedule your free legal consultation with one of the Atlanta dog bite lawyers from the Pendergrass Law Firm. You can learn more about how to seek financial recovery for your medical bills and other damages.
Can I sue for a dog bite in Georgia?
Dog bite victims have rights under Georgia law. Dog owners can be held liable for dog bites if they knew that their dog was vicious. Owners of dogs deemed vicious should keep their dogs confined to a fenced-in yard and carry a minimum of $50,000 in liability insurance.
Dog bites require immediate medical help to treat, which can be expensive. An Atlanta dog bite attorney fights for you to receive the maximum compensation for your damages and medical expenses, including emergency room visits, prescription pain relievers, and antibiotics.
A dog owner can also be held liable for a fatal dog attack. If you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a dog owner, then contact an attorney now.
Does the dog owner pay my damages?
When the pet owner is a family member or neighbor, there can be a lot of tension after a dog attack. Even though the pet owner is liable for your damages, the pet owner does not pay damages directly. The insurance company of the dog’s owner provides your financial compensation.
Does Georgia have a one-bite rule for dogs?
Georgia has what is known as a “One Bite Rule,” which holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs if the owner knew or reasonably should have known of the pet’s vicious propensities. A common defense used by dog owners is that the victim provoked the dog, and is therefore liable for their serious injury.
This is why you need legal representation from a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in dog bite law. Our Atlanta dog bite lawyers at the Pendergrass Law Firm are ready and eager to help you.
To recover compensation in an Atlanta dog bite case, you must prove that the dog either had aggressively attacked before or that the owner violated the leash law by having the dog off-leash. The dog owner must have been aware of or should have known of the dog’s propensity to bite.
Some animals are deemed vicious. A “dangerous dog” is one that bites or attacks and causes serious injuries. It is against Georgia law for the owner of a vicious dog to permit the dog to be outside of a fenced area or secure enclosure.
What is the statute for dog bites in Atlanta?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia is two years. That means victims of dog attacks have two years after the attack to file their Atlanta dog bite claim. After that deadline has passed, your Atlanta dog bite lawyer will not be able to fight for you. This is why it is so important to speak to one of our lawyers as soon as possible.
What should I do after a dog bite incident?
Call 911 right away if the injuries seem life-threatening, if the dog is continuing to act aggressively, or if there is uncertainty regarding the dog’s vaccination history. You should get a copy of the police report as well. Contact the local animal control and local county health department immediately after the dog attack. They keep a record of dangerous dogs and dog attacks.
Get the contact information of the dog owner, including their name, address, email address, and insurance information. Take pictures or videos of where the incident occurred, or get a witness to take them for you.
Seek medical attention to treat your dog bite injury. You should inform the doctor when you had your last tetanus shot. Doctors may require you to get one after your dog bite injury to protect you from serious illness. Often doctors will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection at the site of the dog bite wound.
Adherence to your treatment plan is critical to your personal injury case. Over the next few days, you should look for signs of swelling or infections, such as redness, inflammation, pain, fever, or if the site of the wound is warm to the touch. Seek medical attention again if you notice signs of infection after a dog bite. You should continue to change your bandage at home per your doctor’s instructions.
Finally, call us to schedule your free consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer at the Pendergrass Law Firm.
How An Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
It can be traumatic when a dog bites or attacks someone. Your Atlanta dog bite lawyer can file an insurance claim, name liable parties, gather evidence against the dog owner, and establish liability so that you get fair compensation for your expensive medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Dog bite attorneys also defend their clients when a pet owner claims that you or your child instigated the dog attack. With our extensive experience in dog bite law, our dog bite attorneys can build a strong case proving the dog owner’s liability and prove your child’s claim to damages. Call the Pendergrass Law Firm now to learn more about Georgia’s One Bite Rule and your rights after a dog bite injury.