Alabaster Dog Bite Attorneys

The citizens of Alabama love their dogs; and the citizens of the City of Alabaster have taken the love of their animals to a higher level. While there are more now, Alabaster was only the second city in the nation to host a Beneful Dream Dog Park. The $500,000 dog park opened in 2012 is complete with synthetic turf, separate off-leash areas for small and large dogs, water splash pads, tunnels and hoops, a miniature fetch football field, a walking course, and more. Dog bites and attacks can happen anywhere: in the owner's yard, in a neighborhood, and even in a state-of-the-art dog park. In fact, bringing together so many dogs and owners can only increase the risk of an attack or biting, including an injury while a dog is playing. Thousands of dogs and owners visit these types of parks every year, so owners and participants need to be on high alert.

Owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility, one of which is exercising and socializing the animal. A dog park is a great setting for these types of activities. However, owners need to be extremely vigilant when they have their dog in a public setting, as the dog can be provoked, or even hurt someone while trying to be playful. Owners can be held liable if their dog injures someone. Dog bites can be more severe, especially those bites or attacks involving larger dogs, and can produce life-long permanent injuries and disfigurement. Most injuries from dog bites occur in neighborhoods or in the owner's yard, but a dog attack can occur in any setting.

If you've been attacked or injured by a dog, even if the dog thought it was playing, be sure to get medical attention for your wounds. Secondly, be sure to contact the Alabaster dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. Dog bite cases can be complicated and have a lot of nuances. You will need an attorney to guide you through the process. You can call us at (844) LAW-TALK or (205) 324-3600.

Certain breeds of dogs, including Pit Bulls and Rottweilers (full list here), have a higher propensity to attack, bite, and cause an injury. For this reason, owners should be aware before they purchase a dog if their dog is one of these breeds. Also, if you have been attacked by a dog, it is important to know the breed of dog, as this information can impact your claim. No matter how well-behaved you believe your dog is, never leave small children alone with your dog or allow small children to get in your dog's face. Do not interact with your dog when it's eating. And, try to gauge the temperament of the dog before you make the purchase. These are all proactive steps that could lessen the possibility of your dog biting and hurting someone.

It is important to remember that should you be attacked or bitten by a dog, you are entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and any physical scarring or disfigurement that often accompanies an animal attack. Most often, the compensation you receive comes from the owner's insurance company, not the owner individually. So don't be nervous about making a claim against a neighbor or friend after an attack. Be sure to stress that this is a claim against their insurance company to pay for your medical bills and other damages. These claims typically do not involve ever asking the individual owner to pay out-of-pocket for your damages and injuries.

As mentioned, dog bite claims can be complicated and time is usually of the essence in terms of pursuing a claim and collecting evidence. Once you have received medical treatment, you will need an attorney to guide you through filing your claim with the at-fault-party's insurance. This generally will be the dog owner's insurance but could be a business depending on where the attack took place. And remember, the injury is the key indicator as far as the compensation you will receive. Generally speaking, the more significant your injury is, the more your claim will be worth. Even if the dog is a friend's dog or if the dog seemed to be playing, you will still have medical bills and possibly missed time from work and other damages.

The Alabaster dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. are here to help you, so let our team of attorneys go to work on your behalf. You can contact us here or at (844) LAW-TALK or (205) 324-3600.