4 Reasons You Need An Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer’s Help With Your Claim
The majority of dogs live up to their reputation as loving, devoted companions, so it is unfortunate that some can be aggressive. When they bite, scratch, jump up, or maul another person, dogs can cause serious injuries that are often accompanied by infection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, of the 4.5 million people who are estimated to suffer dog bite injuries every year, just 1 in 5 require medical attention. However, for that one person, recovery can be painful and the losses are extreme. You could suffer financial and emotional consequences that you did not expect.
The good news is that Georgia dog bite laws are robust, giving victims multiple options for seeking compensation from the animal’s owner. You might be tempted to represent yourself when you know the protections are powerful, but there are a number of reasons you need an Atlanta dog bite attorney on your side. A few include:
- The at-fault party has a lawyer. Initially, keep in mind that you will likely be dealing with an insurance company for monetary damages in a dog bite case. Property owners, businesses, and homeowners carry liability insurance to protect against loss, so you must file a claim for compensation. Insurers have large legal departments and hefty budgets, and these resources are all dedicated to paying you as little as possible.
- You may not know what your claim is worth. After filing your claim, the insurance company will investigate, evaluate fault by its policyholder, and assess losses. Often, the insurer will make a counteroffer, since many dog bite claims settle out of court. If you do not know how to measure your losses for legal purposes, you cannot be confident that the settlement is fair and sufficient to cover them.
- You do not have extensive litigation experience. If the insurer refuses to pay a reasonable amount and you cannot settle, the next step is suing in court. Attorneys for insurance companies might spend every day in a courtroom, so they have developed considerable trial advocacy skills that they will leverage against you. Retaining your own lawyer levels the playing field when your claim goes to litigation.
- There are deadlines that affect your claim. Georgia’s statute of limitations on dog bite cases is two years, which can fly by when you are embroiled in the claims process and discussing settlement. If you do not know how these deadlines work and when the clock starts to run, you might be barred from recovering damages.
Speak to an Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer Attorney for Free
These are powerful reasons for retaining legal counsel for help with your case, but there is one that should not factor into your decision: Cost. At Zagoria Law, we offer a free consultation and handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay unless we recover compensation in your case. For more information, please call 404.653.0023 or go online to set up your no-cost case assessment.
Source:
cdc.gov/healthypets/connect/newsletter/dog-bite-prevention-week.html
