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Protecting Your Rights After a Dog Bite

Atlanta has many fun dog parks, making it a great city to own a pet in. 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 lawyer in Atlanta to deal with the dog’s owner and insurance company.

Can I sue for a dog bite in Atlanta?

Dog bite victims have rights under Georgia law. Dog owners can be held liable for injurious dog bites if they knew their dog was likely to attack someone. Owners of dogs deemed vicious should keep their pets 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. A dog bite attorney in Atlanta will fight to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries and resulting medical expenses, including emergency room visits, prescription pain relievers, and antibiotics. Dog owners can also be held liable for fatal attacks. If you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a dog owner, contact one of our Atlanta personal injury attorneys now.

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What is the value of a case for a dog bite in Atlanta?

The value of dog bite cases can vary depending on how expensive the victim’s medical treatment and other losses are. Call Pendergrass Law today to schedule your free legal consultation with a premier dog bite lawyer in Atlanta. You can learn more about how to seek financial recovery for your medical bills and other damages.

Will the dog’s owner pay my damages?

When the dog owner is a family member or neighbor, there can be a lot of tension after a dog attack. Even though they’re liable for your injuries, they don’t pay the damages directly. Instead, their insurance company provides your financial compensation. 

Does Georgia have a one-bite rule for dogs?

Georgia has what’s known as a “one-bite rule,” which holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause if they knew or reasonably should have known of their pet’s vicious propensities. A common defense dog owners use is that the victim provoked the dog and is therefore liable for their own injuries. This is why you need legal representation from a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in dog bite law. A dog bite attorney in Atlanta at Pendergrass Law is ready 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 their pet off leash. Furthermore, the owner must have been aware of their pet’s propensity to bite. Some animals can legally be deemed dangerous. A “dangerous dog” is one that bites or attacks and causes serious injuries. It’s against Georgia law for the owner of a dangerous dog to permit the animal to be outside of a fenced area or secure enclosure.

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What is the statute of limitations 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 from the date their attack occurred to file their Atlanta dog bite claim. After that deadline has passed, your Atlanta dog bite lawyer won’t be able to do anything for you. That’s why it’s so important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

What should I do after a dog bite incident?

  1. Call 911 right away if the injuries seem life-threatening, the dog is continuing to act aggressively, or there’s uncertainty regarding its vaccination history. You should also get a copy of the police report.
  2. Next, contact your local animal control and county health departments. They keep a record of dangerous dogs and dog attacks.
  3. Get the contact information of the dog’s owner, including their name, mailing address, email address, and insurance information. Take pictures or videos of the site where the incident occurred, or get a witness to take them for you.
  4. Seek immediate medical attention to treat your injuries, and inform the doctor of when you had your last tetanus shot. You may be required to get one after your dog bite injury to protect you from serious illness. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to prevent bite wounds from becoming infected.
  5. Adherence to your treatment plan is critical to your personal injury case.
  6. Over the next few days, look for signs of swelling or infection, such as redness, inflammation, pain, fever, or warmth to the touch at the site of the bite. Seek further medical attention if you notice symptoms of infection. Otherwise, continue to follow your doctor’s instructions.
  7. Finally, call The Pendergrass Law Firm to schedule your free consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
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How an Atlanta dog bite lawyer can help you

It can be traumatic when a dog bites or attacks someone. Your dog bite attorney in Atlanta can file an insurance claim, identify the at-fault parties, gather evidence against the dog owner, and establish liability to ensure that you get fair compensation for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Dog bite attorneys also defend their clients when pet owners claim that the victim or their children instigated the attack. With extensive experience in dog bite law, our attorneys can build a strong case proving the pet owner’s liability and supporting your claim to damages. Call Pendergrass Law today to learn more about Georgia’s one-bite rule and protect your rights after a dog bite injury.

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