Snellville
Dog Bite Lawyer

If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog in Snellville, you know how painful and frustrating, not to mention how costly it can be. Dog bites victims often need treatment for infections, stitches, surgeries, or other expenses medical attention that they weren’t asking for. Thankfully, the law is on your side, and a Snellville dog bite and animal attack lawyer can help you seek compensation.

At John Foy & Associates, we have spent the last 20 plus years helping dog bit victims win the money they need to pay for their costs and begin to move on. You should not have to pay for the expenses you face because of a dog owner’s negligence.

Let us give you a FREE consultation and discuss how we can help in your unique situation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation.

How the Law Handles Dog Bites in Snellville

In Snellville and the rest of Georgia, dog bites are treated like any other personal injury accident. The negligent party is responsible for all losses. As the victim of a dog bite, you have the legal right to seek compensation as damages (Georgia Code § 51-12-4).

In almost all dog bite situations, the dog’s owner is legally liable. Dog owners have a duty to control their pets and ensure they don’t put others in the way of harm, especially if they know the dog has had a history of aggressive or vicious behavior. If the dog bit you, it clearly wasn’t being controlled.

We recommend calling a dog bite and animal attack lawyer as soon as possible after you are bitten. They will know exactly how the law pertains to your situation and how to fight for your right to recover your costs.

How to Gather Information for Your Dog Bite Claim

After the dog bite, you will need to find out the name and contact information of its owner. This is often easier said than done. Dog owners will often try to leave the scene quickly with their pets if they were at the scene during the bite at all. A lot of times, dog bites are caused by a roaming dog that the owner has not been watching.

Here are some things you can to do try get the name of the dog owner and other crucial information.

Talk to Neighbors

Ask around in the neighborhood. Chances are good that someone will recognize the description of the dog. They might be able to give you information about the dog’s owner, including insight into whether or not letting the dog roam freely is typical for this person. It’s a clear sign of negligence if the owner routinely fails to secure their dog.

Take Pictures

If you can, snap a picture of the dog after the bite happens. Dogs often run away, but picture evidence will preserve documentation of how the dog looked. You should also take pictures of your injuries and the scene where the bite happened.

Talk to Witnesses

Other people may have seen the dog bite happen. Talk to them and ask for their contact information. Witness testimony can be incredibly helpful in any personal injury case.

Call a Lawyer

Contact an experienced dog bite and animal attack lawyer in the Snellville area who can help you take action. To seek compensation, you will need to file a personal injury claim with the dog owner’s insurance company. However, you will need certain evidence to do this.

A good lawyer will help you gather the appropriate information and also fight for your rights. Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on injury claims, so they may look for ways to blame you for the bite or say you weren’t hurt as badly as you claim. A lawyer can communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so you don’t get taken advantage of during your case.

You do not have to take on your case alone. In fact, working with a lawyer is highly recommended in most situations. Thankfully, most dog bite lawyers (like John Foy & Associates) offer the consultation free of charge. To schedule a consultation with us today, call (404) 400-4000.

Reporting a Dog Bite Attack in Snellville, GA

According to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement, dog bite victims should dial 911 after serious bites or accidents involving animals that could have rabies. This will ensure the bite is reported and the incident is filed.

Some dog bite victims are afraid to report the bite to the police because they worry the dog will be put down. In Gwinnett County, dog owners are required to have their dogs quarantined at a veterinarian’s office, boarding facility, or animal hospital for 10 days from the date of the bite. This is found under Chapter 10 in the county’s Code of Ordinances.

It’s understandable to not want the dog to be put down. However, not reporting the bite means you will miss out on your personal rights to compensations for your damages. Dog bites can be very costly, often more than you initially realize. In addition, most dogs are not put down if it’s the first time they have bitten someone.

Damages You Can Recover from a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Case

If the dog owner is at fault, you have the right to recover damages by filing an injury claim against the owner. “Damages” refer to any losses you experience because of the owner’s negligence and the dog attack.

The most common loss from a dog bite injury is medical expenses. Even minor bites can require a lot of testing and treatment to make sure the dog didn’t transfer a disease or cause damage that will get worse. Your biggest costs will probably be medical, and you can include them all in your claim.

Besides medical expenses, other damages you can recover include:

• Lost wages from work time you’ve had to miss because of the dog bite and your injuries
• Property damage if any personal property was damaged in the attack
• Pain and suffering damages, such as fear, trauma, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD

The emotional costs of a dog bite should not be overlooked, especially in children and young adults. Pain and suffering damages can be worth a lot in an injury case.

Get a Free Consultation With a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer in Snellville

John Foy & Associates is ready to help you seek fair compensation after a dog bite in Snellville. We’ll start with a FREE consultation to get to know you, answer questions, and discuss how we can help. If you decide to work with us, there is no fee unless we win you money.

Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now to get started with your FREE consultation.