Myth: Every dog gets one free bite.
Truth:. Georgia's dog bite statute, O.C.G.A. §51-2-7, entitles dog bite victims to compensation if:
In the first instance, there is no "free bite"; a dog owner is strictly liable for violating the leash law, regardless of his prior knowledge of his pet's violent tendencies.
Our Firm has extensive experience handling claims for all types of dog bite injuries. As experienced lawyers in this area, we will promptly and thoroughly investigate your case to assess damages and determine fault. Once hired, we will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. We will give them only the information they need to evaluate your claim and protect your privacy. If the insurance company refuses to recognize the true value of your case, we will not hesitate to file suit and present your case before a jury so that you can be awarded the compensation you deserve.
More than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs on an annual basis and approximately one out of every six bites is serious enough to require medical attention. Owners of dogs, regardless of the breed of dog, can be held responsible when bites or attacks occur. If you have suffered injuries after being bitten or attacked by a dog or another animal, it is important to know your legal rights. Dog attacks are often covered by the animal owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.
Why Should You Hire Our Firm?
The insurance company for the person whose animal caused the injury will start an investigation immediately. It is the insurance company's responsibility to try to limit the compensation of the injured person to the lowest possible amount in order to protect their profits. Insurance companies have established very specific and elaborate policies on handling animal attack injury claims, especially in the early stages. Insurance companies will take recorded statements from the persons involved, have photographs taken, obtain reports and try to establish the extent of the injuries suffered. The insurance company usually completes these tasks within the first week after the attack and often has completed some, if not all of these tasks, within the first 24 to 48 hours.
Insurance companies try to reach a quick settlement with an injured person. They often do this before the full extent of your injuries are known. Their purpose is to avoid responsibility for future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages that are likely to develop. This is a situation that an experienced Atlanta Dog Bite Attorney can help you avoid. When a person is injured, it very often takes months to completely assess the person's injuries. At that point, the person may need surgery, physical therapy, or other extensive treatment. The injuries may even leave the person permanently disabled. Therefore, the true value of a claim can only be assessed after most of the medical treatment has been completed. The State of Georgia provides in most, but not all, cases a two-year period of time in which to file a lawsuit on a personal injury claim. Accordingly, there is no need to rush to a settlement with an insurance company.
Other Areas Where Experienced Atlanta Dog Attack Injury Attorneys Can Help You:
There are other significant issues that often arise for persons injured by dog attacks. For instance, if your health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will frequently seek reimbursement from your settlement with the at-fault person's insurance company. There are several legal limitations on these rights to reimbursement. An experienced Atlanta Dog Bite Injury Lawyer can use the various laws in Georgia to maximize the amount of recovery that you, the injured individual, gets to keep.
Since insurance companies have vast experience in evaluating dog bite injuries, they often will pay the lowest compensation possible. It is important to have an attorney on your side with considerable experience dealing with these insurance companies. It is always best to have an attorney who will not settle your case for anything less than its full value. If the insurance companies are not being reasonable in their valuation of your case, you need an attorney who will fight for you, who will file a lawsuit, take your case to trial and prove why you deserve to be compensated. Our law firm will do that for you.