Legal Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident

Some Information About Alabama’s Dog Bite Laws.

Dogs are highly commonplace in the U.S. and are usually very friendly animals. However, if the dog feels threatened for some reason and proceeds to attack a person, it usually ends up biting them. Dog bites can inflict severe physical injury and emotional trauma and have a very dire impact on you and your family. Therefore, if you have been bitten, you must understand your rights, work with a professional, and fully understand all the legal remedies available.

First, you must know that in Alabama, dog bite cases are governed by the legal principle of strict liability. Simply put, this means that all dog owners can legally be held responsible for any injuries caused by their dogs; this fact holds whether the owner knows about the dog’s propensity to be vicious or not.

Another vital factor is that this applies to injuries in public places or if the victim is lawfully present on someone’s private property.

Also, most dog bite cases are classified as personal injury lawsuits and, therefore, have a statute of limitations for filing a suit that extends two years from the date of the incident.

Alabama’s personal injury laws also follow the legal concept of “contributory negligence.” This means that if your actions (as the victim) contributed in any way to your dog bite incident, you may be barred from recovering compensation; not many states still adhere to this rule, but Alabama is one of them.

All the above facts highlight the importance of seeking professional legal advice and guidance as soon as possible from an experienced dog bite lawyer whose expertise can effectively protect your rights and maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you need and deserve.

After a Dog Bite in Alabama, What Kind of Compensation Could I Receive?

As stated, dog bites can inflict severe and sometimes life-changing injuries. Therefore, with experienced and diligent professional representation, as a dog bite victim in Alabama, you could be entitled to various types of compensation, including:

• Payment of all your medical expenses – You can request reimbursement for all medical costs associated with dog bite injuries. This can include hospital bills, needed surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and more.
• Lost wages due to time off work – These injuries could prevent you from working. You could be eligible to claim compensation for lost pay and even loss of your future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering – Dog bite injuries can inflict significant emotional distress, followed by long-term intense psychological trauma. Therefore, your compensation could include compensation for continued anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and other more intangible issues.
• Property damage – Sometimes, a dog bite incident may damage personal property, such as clothing or accessories; property damage compensation may also be pursued.

Every case differs, and the above are only a few more common areas where you can receive compensation. But you must understand that a complete and thorough understanding of the dog bite laws in Alabama is crucial for protecting the rights of a dog bite victim and seeking appropriate compensation for your injuries.
However, these cases are often legally complex, and you must obtain professional representation to compensate you and your family for the incident fully.

What Should I Do Immediately If I, or a Love One, Is Bitten By a Dog?

Dog bites are hard to predict, but many times, there are similar scenarios that can provoke dogs to attack you, such as:

• If the animal is stressed or seems scared or threatened.
• If the dog has puppies, it may feel the need to protect themselves, their owners, or their puppies
• A history of past physical abuse by the owners, etc.

So, even a friendly dog you may have previously been in contact with may be prone to bite if put in the wrong situation.
If you or a loved one has been bitten, there are things you must do as soon as possible, such as:

• Obtain all the dog owner’s contact information, including their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance and more.
• Get copies of the attacking dog’s proof of rabies vaccination, etc. Many injuries from dog bites include infections, sepsis, etc.
• Seek immediate medical attention to treat any wounds.
• Fully document the incident with photos, videos, etc.
• Get contact information of all the witnesses and whoever had immediate custody of the dog during the incident.
• Look for “Beware of Dog” signs; if none are present, photograph this fact also.

Report the incident to the police and the local animal control state agency in your area. They will have information on the dog, such as if it has attacked anyone, etc.
The more documentation you have, the better your chance of receiving the compensation you need to physically and financially recover and move on with your life.

How Can an Alabama Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me Get the Compensation I Deserve?

Alabama has complex dog bite laws, but in most cases, you could seek compensation if a dog owned by another person injures you.

A dog bite in the state is considered a serious offense, and many cases end up in court. Therefore, if you want to obtain the compensation you deserve, the help of a professional, experienced, and empathetic dog bite lawyer is mandatory.

Alabama dog bite laws place a great deal of responsibility on dog owners. If their dog bites someone, the owners could often face serious ramifications.

If a person or child is severely hurt, the police may charge them with a crime. The state’s animal control division will contact them, and they may have to follow new licensing rules and other contingencies if they want to keep their dog.

Always remember that a dog attack can happen in the blink of an eye, but the effects on you, your child, and your family may last for years to come.

That said, if you’ve been a victim, you must be laser-focused on protecting your rights and staying physically and emotionally healthy. The only real way to do this is to have professional legal representation so that no detail is missed and you get the funds needed to move on both physically and financially.

I Have Been Injured by a Dog Bite; How Should I Proceed?

First, ensure you get the medical attention you need, and formally report the incident to the authorities. Dog bites are usually serious injuries and must be managed by medical professionals.

Additionally, as soon as possible, obtain advice and legal guidance from a Phoenix City dog bite lawyer who will go above and beyond to provide you with the highest legal representation for victims and their families.

The skilled and well-versed dog bite lawyers at the Bence Law Firm Call are intimately knowledgeable about these complex cases and will manage all the numerous details while you focus on getting well.

Call them today at (334) 489-1951 for a free consultation on your unique dog bite case, and they will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you must have to recover and move optimistically on with your life.