A dog bite can result in a vicious, devastating, and potentially very expensive injury. The extent of how bad it might be has a lot to do with the dog’s size and whether the wound becomes infected, but regardless, it’s a traumatic experience which, depending on the severity of the injury, could become life-altering. When this happens to you as a result of a dog owner’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your suffering. That’s why it’s important to know what your local region’s laws are with respect to a personal injury case like a dog bite.
No matter where you are, if you’re looking to pursue damages after a dog bite incident, it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer. Maxwell Tillman is a Birmingham dog bite lawyer who’s helped countless victims pursue legal action against negligent dog owners. As a result of his education and experience, he’s highly knowledgeable about how Alabama’s state-specific personal injury laws factor into lawsuits in these kinds of cases.
Read on if you’d like to learn more about the benefits of having an attorney in a dog bite case and the window of time you have to file a lawsuit after being bitten.
If you’re looking to sue the owner of a dog that attacked you, it’s important that you give yourself the best chance possible at a payout that will cover any expenses associated with your injuries. The biggest of these is likely to be medical bills, but things like loss of income may also be a factor if your injuries interfere with your ability to work.
Even if you’re familiar with how Alabama’s laws work with regard to dog bite personal injury claims, arguing your case in court may not necessarily be as straightforward as you might believe. This is the biggest reason to seek the services of an attorney as soon as possible after you’ve been attacked; a lawyer focused on this type of case is likely to be fairly familiar with not only the laws relevant to your case, but also the typical arguments presented by either side.
Take a look at this article from Findlaw for more information about how an attorney can help in a dog bite case.
The statute of limitations for this type of personal injury claim in Alabama is 2 years. That timeline begins from the moment the dog bite incident takes place. To give yourself the best chance in court, it’s essential that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the attack.
If you miss the deadline to file your claim, the dog owner will likely ask the court to dismiss the case, and they’ll likely succeed. If that happens, you’ll miss out on damages that could’ve covered any money you lost as a direct result of the owner’s negligence. That’s why it’s paramount to act decisively once you know you have a solid case and have the help of an attorney on your side.
If you’d like more detailed information about this point, check out this Nolo article.
There are three main points you’ll have to prove if you decide to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that attacked you. We’ve written about these points before on our blog, and you can read our post about it here.
Maxwell Tillman is the attorney you need for the best chance at a favorable result in a dog bite case. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation.
