Read on to learn more about Georgia dog bite laws and how your experienced Alpharetta dog bite lawyer can handle the process for you every step of the way. This allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries while your attorney focuses on ensuring you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
Georgia Has Laws Against Dangerous Dogs
Under Georgia law, there are a number of provisions that relate to dog bites and the possible liability of dog owners for harm caused by their dogs. When there is a dog that is known to be vicious, the owner is required to establish a variety of safety measures to ensure that the dog is kept from opportunities to harm others. When a dog has bitten a human on more than one occasion, Georgia law requires that they be euthanized, which means that if a dog bites more than one person, it should be put down. There are also some ways in which a dog owner might be criminally liable for the actions of their dog if particular prerequisites are in place.
If you have been bitten by a dog that was known to be vicious, you could be entitled not only to damages but may have the potential of bringing a criminal case. If the owner of the dog is facing potential criminal charges for the actions of their pet, you have a very strong case. Connecting with your local Alpharetta dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after the dog bite will put you in the best possible condition to negotiate the fullest settlement possible for your injury.
Georgia Dog Bite Laws are Complex and Recently Changed
The laws in Georgia are unique in terms of dog attacks in that the owner must have knowledge of the dog’s vicious behavior or of a prior attack in the past that would make the owner aware that the dog was considered “vicious” or “dangerous”.
For a dog owner to be liable to you for damages from the attack:
- The dog must be known as being “vicious” or “dangerous.”
- The animal must have been at large due to careless management of the owner
- The injured person must not have provoked the animal into attack
These many requirements can make it difficult for you to clearly determine when a dog owner is liable. The application of the law and the changing legal concepts in Georgia surrounding dog bites can be difficult to accomplish without knowledge of the law and experience in the courts concerning how they are applied. Reaching out to a local Alpharetta Georgia dog bite lawyer to discuss your case and what options might be available will help you make the most of your case.
If a Dog Owner Was Negligent, They Should be Liable for Injuries
The concept of negligence relates to duty, meaning that someone is negligent when they ignore their duty to another party to act in a reasonably safe manner. The same goes for dogs and dog owners, as the owner has a responsibility to make sure that the dog does not hurt people. Some injuries that can result from negligent dog owners who lead to dog bites include:
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Infections or diseases
- Concussions or head injuries if a victim falls and hits their head
- Mental trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
When a pet owner violates their duty to keep you safe from their dangerous dog and you are injured as a result, you are entitled to damages. This is true even if you believe your injuries are minor, as you should still have your medical bills covered at least.
In this situation, however, Georgia law does require that the dog is known to be vicious. For the first time that a previously friendly dog attacks someone, it can be difficult to establish that the pet owner was negligent. You might not know how to collect evidence from the pet owner to determine if they knew the dog was aggressive or if another attack had happened before.
Your Alpharetta dog bite attorney from Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer knows how to collect evidence in favor of your case to determine whether or not the dog was known to be vicious, and if so, how you can hold the owner accountable for your damages.
Property Damage and Harm to Your Pet Could Also be Covered
When an injury happens due to a negligent dog owner, the owner is liable not only for any injuries that you might experience, but also for any property damage and also harm to your pet. In the courts, pets are generally considered to be property, and you can collect damages to repair property, which in the instance of your pet would include medical bills. If your pet has been injured in an attack, reach out to an Alpharetta dog bite attorney to learn about your options.
Reach Out to a Local Alpharetta Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you or your pet have been injured in a dog attack, you could be entitled to damages. Collecting what you are entitled to will require that you accurately apply the law to the unique facts and circumstances of your situation, then negotiate with the dog owner and their lawyers and insurance companies to get it.
Connect with one of the experienced Alpharetta dog bite attorneys from Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer to schedule a consultation and explore options for a possible case now. Alpharetta Personal Injury Lawyers is located at 44 Milton Ave #132, Alpharetta, GA 30009, United State
Our Dog Bites Office in Alpharetta
Our Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer is located close to you, on Milton Ave near Brooke Street Park and The other Alpharetta cemetery, approximately 2 miles from Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center.