Foley Dog Attacks Are all too Common. The Andy Citrin Team Is Here to Help
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Most of the people attacked by dogs are young children between the ages of five- and nine-years-old. Understandably, many people worry about infection, medical expenses, and the psychological harm caused by a dog bite or attack. In these difficult situations, you deserve to understand your options and what to do next.
If you, your child, or a loved one has experienced a dog attack in Foley, Alabama, one of our dog bite lawyers at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys is ready to help.
For a free case review with one of our injury attorneys, simply fill out our online form or call us at 251-888-8888.
What Is Considered a Dog Attack?
Dogs attack for a range of reasons, but most of the time it’s because they feel threatened or afraid (even if you haven’t done anything to provoke them). Many dogs often have a “prey drive” that makes them want to chase anything that moves quickly, such as a squirrel, jogger, small child, or cyclist.
As a result, dog attacks aren’t limited to bites. Our law firm has represented all types of dog bites and attacks, which can include:
- Bites that cause cuts, puncture wounds, skin tearing, lacerations, infections (like rabies or tetanus), or abrasions.
- Crushing injuries from the force of a bite that cause broken bones, soft tissue damage, and other severe injuries.
- Avulsion is another word for “tearing off,” avulsions can happen if a dog attack leads to torn skin, or a bitten-off ear.
- Sprains or broken bones often occur after people get tackled by an aggressive dog. It’s not uncommon to suffer broken wrists and other injuries in the fall.
While people often assume a dog attack only involves pit bulls or other “fighting dogs,” any dog can become dangerous—even if it’s an animal you know with no previous history of causing serious bodily injury. Any dog can become a dangerous dog.
Understand Alabama Dog Bite Laws
Every case is different, but usually, if a dog bites or attacks someone, the dog’s owner is usually legally responsible if:
- The dog was not provoked before it attacked
- The bite happened on property the dog’s owner owns or controls (like a private home or business they manage), or after the dog chased the bitten person off this property
- The bitten person was legally allowed to be at the location of the attack. This includes the injured person’s own home or yard, a sidewalk, public spaces like parks.
There are some exceptions to these rules if the dog that bit you has a history of aggression. If you have questions about how Alabama dog bite law applies to your case, your dog bite lawyer can help you understand the situation and your options.
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Important Steps to Take After a Dog Bite or Attack
Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience. If a dog has attacked you, there are some important steps you should take:
- Seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. Even if they seem minor, your injuries could become infected, or you could develop symptoms of a more severe condition over time if left untreated.
- If it is safe to do so, find out if the dog that bit you has received rabies vaccinations and try to determine if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. Ask if the dog has attacked others in the past or if this is the first time.
- File a report with a local animal control center or police department. Make a note of the time you called, and the name of the animal control officers you spoke to about the attack. Include as many details about the dog as you can.
- If it is safe to do so, take photographs of your lacerations, puncture wounds, and other injuries, the place where the attack took place, and the dog that hurt you.
- Write down the names and contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses who saw the attack.
- Contact the experienced dog bite lawyers at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys to help you with your claim.
In many dog bite cases, witnesses and injured people forget important details of the incident and evidence gets lost. Contacting a lawyer quickly will help them gather relevant, accurate information that can be used if you decide to pursue compensation for your dog bite injuries.
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We Stand Up for People Injured by Dog Bites and Their Loved Ones in Foley
At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our team of personal injury attorneys has experience handling dog bite lawsuits and can help you with your claim by:
- Conducting an investigation and interviewing witnesses of the dog attack
- Analyzing your claim based on either Alabama dog bite liability laws and filing a lawsuit on your behalf
- Consulting with medical experts to get a fair assessment of your current and future medical expenses
- Determining whether you are entitled to additional compensation for lost work, loss of future earnings, and other losses
- Handling negotiations with the insurance company to ensure that you receive compensation for your losses
We’re proud to support our friends and neighbors in Foley with their legal needs after a dog attack. Our team of attorneys knows how difficult the recovery process can be, which is why we take fighting for you so seriously. We’ve recovered over half a billion dollars for people just like you in Alabama and Mississippi and are ready to speak with you today about your case.
RELATED ARTICLE: Children and Dog Bites
Hurt by a Dog in Foley, AL? Contact Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Foley, Alabama, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma.
With decades of experience handling personal injury lawsuits involving bites from pit bulls, drunken driving accidents, and more, the lawyers at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and determination to fight for you.
Contact us today by completing our online form or by calling 251-888-8888 to schedule your free consultation.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
