Do you need an Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer?
Dog bites are some of the worst injuries that we see, especially in children. Georgia law permits dog bite victims to bring a case against the dog owner when the owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous. This is called the “one bite rule” – meaning that when the dog bites someone for the first time, the owner is now put on notice that the dog is dangerous and appropriate action should be taken to prevent injury to other victims.
Understanding Georgia Dog Bite Laws
When a dog owner has knowledge that a dog is dangerous, or if the owner should have known of the dog’s dangerous tendency to bite people, that dog owner is liable for any harm caused by their animal. The dog’s breed does not matter, but certain breeds of dogs are known to be more aggressive, so owners of aggressive dog breeds should be on even higher alert. In most cases, the dog owner (and their insurance company) act like the dog was perfectly innocent and the owner could never have expected the dog to bite. In that situation, testimony from neighbors and others who have seen the dog running loose, can be critical evidence in the case.
What if the Dog is Running Loose in the Neighborhood?
Most cities and counties in Georgia have “leash laws” which require that the dog be on a leash any time the dog is off the owner’s property. If the dog is running loose in the neighborhood, the owner could be liable under the doctrine of negligence per se. Negligence per se is just a fancy way of saying that the owner violated a written law, so they are automatically responsible for any harm the dog causes. Free roaming dogs are typically the most straightforward cases, but they still require a dog bite lawyer to identify the local law or ordinance and prove that there was a violation of the law.
Who Pays for Injuries After a Dog Bite?
Generally, the homeowners’ insurance of the dog owner pays for the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering of the dog bite victim. If the dog owner owns their home, there is a good chance that their mortgage company requires them to have homeowners’ insurance. If the dog owner is a renter and does not purchase renters’ insurance, there might not be coverage for the incident. Typically, the owner of the home is not responsible for the actions of the renter’s dog in Georgia unless he or she knew that a dangerous dog was living there and allowed the dog to stay. An experienced dog bite lawyer can search for all available insurance coverage to ensure that there is an insurance policy to protect you after a dog bite occurs.
Why Hire the Coker Accident Lawyers for My Dog Bite?
Dog bite cases are not simple cases. They present complex insurance questions and unfortunately often lead to dog owners who are dishonest in their representation about their dog’s prior bite history. Everyone loves their animal, and many dog owners are willing to look the other way when they have an animal that is a danger to others. At the Coker Accident Lawyers, a thorough investigation is the difference between winning and losing your case. Witness testimony is critical in laying the foundation to show the insurance company that the owner knew the dog was a danger to the community but took no action. Our dog bite accident team will knock on doors and interview neighbors in the community to find witnesses who are willing to provide a statement showing that the dog was dangerous. Most neighbors are fed up with a dangerous dog in their neighborhood and are more than willing to help rid the community of the unsafe animal.
Can You Make the Dog Owner Go to Jail after a Bite?
No. Whether or not the dog owner is charged criminally is up to law enforcement and the local prosecutors. At the Coker Accident Lawyers, our job is to provide you with compensation for medical bills, lost time from work, pain, and emotional suffering. Our job is to hold the insurance company accountable to make sure that you receive what you deserve to get your life back on track after a serious dog bite. If the bite involves a child, our dog bite lawyers help the parent navigate the complex legal framework in Georgia surrounding children and legal settlements. We will not settle your case unless you are completely satisfied with the amount of money that you receive in your pocket after all the bills are paid.
How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
At the Coker Accident Lawyers, we take a percentage of the settlement and there is no out of pocket cost to you. You have nothing to lose by giving us a call and exploring your options with a dog bite lawyer for your dog bite case. At our firm, we have successfully handled hundreds of dog bite cases, and our incident response team is ready and available to respond to your incident and collect the information and data needed to win your case. We promise that we will spare no expense in obtaining justice for you and your family.
What To Do After a Dog Bite Injury:
Seek Medical Attention. Getting medical attention after a dog bite is critical. Dogs unfortunately can carry diseases, so testing and vaccinations could be required to ensure that the diseases are not transmitted to you as the person bit.
Call Animal Control. Every dog bite should be reported to animal control. A county’s animal control office has procedures in place to ensure that dangerous dogs are controlled and are not a danger to the community. Calling animal control could protect other future victims in your neighborhood.
Take Picture of the Bite Marks. Unfortunately, dog bites can lead to permanent scarring, and it is important to document what the bite looked like shortly after the incident to determine if the scarring heals properly.
Call a Dog Bite Lawyer. An experienced lawyer will immediately start gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. A great dog bite lawyer will also search every database to determine what insurance applies.
Strengthen the Value of Your Case with the Coker Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, speak with a dog bite lawyer at Coker Accident Lawyers immediately so that our dog bite incident response team can leap into action on your case. Time is of the essence, and we want to ensure that your case is protected so that you receive every penny of compensation that you deserve under Georgia law.
Dog Bite Case Results
- $300,000.00 Dog Bite Judgment
- $90,000.00 Dog Bite Settlement
- $121,000.00 Dog Bite Judgment
- $50,000.00 Dog Bite Settlement
- $75,000.00 Dog Bite Settlement
