How an Attorney Can Help You With a Dog Bite Case

If you've been bitten by a dog that's not yours and you need to pay for medical care, you may want to seek compensation for the cost of your care. If you're unsure how to proceed or if the bite didn't happen recently, consider talking to an attorney about your options. Here's how an attorney can help with your dog bite case.

Determine if a Suit or Claim Is Worth It

The first step is to determine if your case is strong enough to take to court or to file a claim with the dog owner's insurance company. Take as much evidence as you have to the initial meeting so the attorney has a good picture of what happened.

Evidence might include photos of the injury, an eyewitness report, medical records, medical bills, police report, and any other evidence you might have. The information you provide helps the attorney know if you have a good case and the next steps to take.

File an Insurance Claim

If the owner of the dog has homeowners or renters insurance, the liability portion of the insurance policy should cover dog bites as long as the dog isn't a restricted breed. If you file a claim, the attorney can help you negotiate the right amount of compensation. The insurance company may offer less than you deserve. You shouldn't agree to a settlement or give a recorded statement to the insurance company without your attorney's approval.

Investigate the Dog

Your attorney may find it helpful to investigate the dog by looking for police reports about aggressive behavior or by obtaining veterinarian records. If incidents are found, this could strengthen your case when the dog showed signs of aggression toward others before you were bit. If the dog was known for aggressive behavior, that could help prove the owner's liability.

Your attorney may be able to track down witnesses and record their version of the events. The more reputable witnesses you have, the stronger your case.

Provide Negotiation Skills

An attorney has experience with negotiation. You may be intimidated by an insurance company lawyer and not feel confident enough to stand up for yourself, especially if you're accused of trying to defraud the company.

The insurance company may try to say you weren't really bit or that your injury wasn't very bad if you don't have reliable witnesses. Your attorney will stand up for you so you're treated fairly during the negotiation process to settle your claim.

Take the Case to Court

If the dog's owner didn't have liability insurance, you may need to take the owner to court. An attorney is familiar with Alabama laws as they pertain to dog bites. Laws vary by state, so it's important to understand how Alabama laws affect your court case. Whether you were bit on the owner's property or while on public property such as a park or street could matter.

Keep in mind that your actions may also matter. For instance, if you were trespassing on the property that could negatively affect your case. If you were bitten without provocation, then the owner may be liable for your medical care. Medical costs for a dog bite can be expensive, especially if you have complications, such as an infection.

There could also be the threat of rabies if the dog wasn't vaccinated. If the owner didn't vaccinate the dog or keep it on a leash, they might be considered negligent. That could give you a stronger case.

If your dog bite was recent, you may still be shaken up by the incident. This can cloud your thinking, so before you talk to an insurance company lawyer or take action against the dog owner, consider talking to an attorney to get advice. Call James W Bodiford Law Office for a free phone consultation or to set up an appointment so we can help.