When Do You Need a Lawyer for A Dog Bite?
An animal attack or a dog bite can be a traumatizing ordeal. Even a little puppy may have the jaw strength to snap your fingers in two. Certain breeds of dogs have immense power to cause harm during an attack or dog bite.
With over 4.5 million dog bites occurring each year in the country, the statistics prove that being bit by a dog is not a rare event. Fortunately, you can seek damages for your injuries by working with a capable dog bite attorney. Skilled legal representation can prove to be highly effective in holding the responsible parties accountable.
Alabama Dog Bite Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more people are reporting dog bites every day as an increasing number of homeowners continue to accept dogs as pets. Unfortunately, only a few of these injured victims ever get compensated for their lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering, among other damages.
Injured parties that submit claims with insurance companies are often paid less or denied compensation entirely for their injury-related costs. Personal injury attorneys lend seriousness to the claim because they are prepared to take the case to court if required. A dedicated attorney will do everything possible for getting the maximum compensation to protect your financial security and health.
Attorneys Can Determine the True Worth of Your Claim
Not all dog bite claims are worth it. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess your individual situation, injuries, and circumstances for determining the actual value of your claim. Sometimes even the most minor injuries may be awarded compensation if they get infected during recovery, or some other underlying problem sets in.
Bites on the face and neck can result in scarring. This may leave you socially and emotionally scarred as well. You may be entitled to a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a loved one to dog attacks. It’s critical that you file a personal injury claim if you were hurt and don’t have the necessary resources for covering all medical costs or if the dog bit a child.
Dog owners in Alabama are liable for injuries and damages if the dog injures or bites someone who is on the property lawfully at the time of the injury. Dog owners may only be liable for the victim’s actual expenses related to the attack and bite if they can prove that they were unaware of their pet’s propensity to attack.
It is challenging to pursue damages, such as pain and suffering. There are a few legal approaches that can be effective on the basis of the legal tenet of negligence. You may be able to recover other types of damages besides medical expenses if you can show that the owner was negligent. This is why it’s recommended that you have a dog bite attorney take a look at the claim.
Steps to Take to Maximize Your Dog Bite Claim
The majority of dog bite lawsuits can be handled between the victim and the dog owner. However, there are certain pet owners that refuse from taking responsibility when their pet attacks someone. You need to act timely in such situations to seek justice and compensation for damages.
These are a few important steps that can safeguard your rights if you were attacked or bitten by a dog:
- Obtain the dog owner’s contact information
- Obtain contact information from other witnesses
- Take pictures of the dog, injuries, and accident scene
- Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine
- Follow all doctor’s instructions for the injury
- Write down the incident without leaving out any details
- Report the incident to the local animal control
- Speak with a personal injury attorney
Understand Your Rights from a Dog Bite Lawyer
You may feel unsure or overwhelmed regarding the next steps to take following a dog bite injury. Attorneys can help you understand your legal options and rights. They can give you the support you require to heal better. It can be challenging to prove liability in personal injury lawsuits. You may be unable to recover any compensation at all if you go at it alone.
Treatment for severe dog-related injuries can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. You would deal with immense pain and inconvenience as well if you undergo cosmetic treatments. It is a given fact that insurance companies are not concerned about your well-being. They want to do everything possible to minimize the damage.
Dog bite attorneys can pursue compensation aggressively and combat any tactics employed by the insurance company. Your proven attorney will have a team to investigate the incident for gathering evidence, contact witnesses, and collect medical evidence. They will build a strong lawsuit based on the evidence to help you recover the maximum possible compensation.
Speak With an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney in Alabama Today
Suffering a dog bite injury from a man’s best friend can be traumatic. You should not hesitate in seeking compensation from the dog owner if their negligence was involved. The seasoned and rigorous attorneys at Smith Law Firm are ready to fight for your rights and will take all possible steps in order to maximize your compensation from the negligent party. To schedule your complimentary consultation, call 334-702-1744 or reach us online.
