Loganville
Dog Bite Lawyer

Being bitten or attacked by a dog in Loganville is a serious incident—and dog owners should be held responsible. Although none of us want to think of our dogs as vicious or dangerous, dog bites still happen and victims are left with painful injuries, costly medical bills, and emotional damages that can last a long time. If you or a loved one were injured by a dog, it’s time to talk to a dog bite and animal attack lawyer in Loganville.

At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping dog bite and animal attack victims win compensation for their damages for over 20 years. We can help you investigate the attack, file an insurance claim for your costs, and negotiate for a fair settlement.

Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation by calling (404) 400-4000 now.

How to Handle the Moments After a Dog Bite in Loganville

Right after a dog bite happens, the number one priority should be your health and well-being. If your injuries are serious or life-threatening, get medical attention right away. If the victim is a loved one or a child, call 911 to get emergency medical attention for them.

Otherwise, if you are able to stay at the scene, you can take the following actions to protect your legal rights and begin gathering evidence for your case.

Find Out Who the Dog Belongs to

If the dog’s owner is present when the bite occurs, ask the owner for:

• Their full name and contact information
• The dog’s medical history, including whether it’s had its shots
• Information about whether the dog has bitten or attacked before

In many cases, the owner is not present at the scene of the bite. Witnesses to the attack might be able to identify the dog and its owner, but if you can’t figure out who the dog belongs to, see a doctor right away. They may need to give you a rabies prevention shot if you believe the dog might be infected.

Take Pictures

If you can, get pictures of the dog that bit you. Also, take pictures of the scene where the bite happened and your injuries.

Speak to Witnesses

If other people saw the bite happen, ask what they saw and get their names and contact information. Witness testimony can really help your claim and back up what happened.

Get Medical Attention (if You Haven’t Already)

Even if your injuries don’t seem serious, see a doctor anyway. Dog bites can lead to infection or other serious problems, especially if you don’t know anything about the dog that bit you.

See a doctor just to be sure. This is good for your health as well as your insurance claim, as it shows you took action right away to get treatment for your injuries.

Call a Loganville Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer

A dog bite lawyer can help you obtain information that you couldn’t discover at the scene. If you still don’t know who the dog’s owner is, your lawyer can send investigators to the scene and try to fill in the blanks. This is crucial if you want to seek compensation from the at-fault party, which is virtually always the dog’s owner.

A lawyer can also help once you file the insurance claim, as most insurance companies will a settlement much lower than you deserve. They can help you negotiate for a settlement that will actually cover your damages.

How to Report a Dog Bite or Animal Attack in Loganville

Besides getting information on the dog and calling a lawyer, you should report the animal bite.

Loganville is located in both Walton and Gwinnett counties. Depending on where you live, you may need to contact either Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement to report the bite. An on-call officer may respond to the scene, especially if the animal is still running free without an owner.

How Liability and Fault Work in a Dog Bite or Animal Attack

When a dog bites or attacks someone, the dog’s owner is legally responsible—even if they weren’t present at the attack. Dog owners have a legal duty to prevent harm others, which means making sure their dog is properly trained and controlled so as not to bite others.

The dog’s owner may try to blame you for the attack, saying you provoked the animal or did something to make them feel threatened. While dog bites certainly can happen for that reason, the majority of the time, the bite happened without provocation.

When the owner is at fault, you are legally entitled to recover for all of the costs resulting from the bite or attack. Those include:

• Medical costs like doctor visits, medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, tests, and prescription medications
• Lost wages from work time you’ve had to miss because of your injuries
• Psychological treatment needed because of the attack and your injuries
• Other pain and suffering damages

To seek compensation, you will have to demonstrate that the dog’s owner was at-fault for the attack and that all of your damages resulted from your injuries from the attack. This is where a Loganville dog bite lawyer can be invaluable to your case.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in Loganville

Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim for your damages, so it’s important to act quickly. In Loganville, you typically have two years from the date of the attack to file a claim.

If you try to file a claim outside of this time, you will probably lose all chances of seeking compensation for the incident. This is another reason why you should speak to a dog bite lawyer as soon as you can.

Talk to a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer in Loganville, GA for Free

At John Foy & Associates, we believe you should never have to pay for the costs of an injury you didn’t cause. We’ve been representing dog bite victims for over 20 years, and we can help you with your case, too—starting with a FREE consultation and case evaluation.

Working with us is risk-free because we don’t get paid unless we win you money. To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-40000 or contact us online.