Even though the law typically sides with the victims for dog bite injuries, the burden of proof still lies with you. During negotiation or trial, you need to show that the dog’s owner was negligent in their actions, which led to your dog bite injury. This requires a good amount of strong evidence to prove.
If you feel unsure how to begin your claim or gather evidence, please contact the dog bite lawyers at John Foy & Associates today to learn more. Our dedicated lawyers have years of professional experience and can help you gather and submit all the evidence pertinent to your claim. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or submit to one of our contact forms on our website.
Why Is Evidence Crucial for a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-2-7 provides rules for dog owners that they must keep their pets safe from others, especially if they’re vicious. Even those this code exists, you still need to provide evidence for three key reasons:
- To show that you did not intentionally provoke the dog in any way.
- To show that you were not trespassing or doing any illegal activity when bitten.
- To show that the dog was vicious and that there was no reason for you to have gotten bit.
These three factors are important when it comes to winning your dog bite injury settlement. Even though Georgia technically doesn’t have the one-bite rule, there are still strict rules in place that can make it difficult to negotiate for a fair settlement.
What Kind of Evidence Will I Need?
Our dog bite injury attorneys will help you locate and retain several critical pieces of evidence for your dog bite claim.
Police Report
Filing a report of your dog bite incident with the police or animal control is absolutely vital. An official report puts your dog bite on record as proof that it happened. In the report, you will have the time and date of when you got bitten, plus other information such as the breed of the dog, the owner, etc.
A police report can detail exactly what happened and is a valuable piece of evidence to have. We always recommend that you file a report of your dog bite as quickly as you can. That way, it can be readily available for you when it comes time to file your claim.
Photographs and Witnesses
Take as many pictures as you can of the dog, your injuries, the location of your accident, and anything else related to what happened. Even if it seems trivial, document it anyway. It’s better to be thorough so you can have a wealth of images at your disposal to prove your damages.
Also, if there were any witnesses to your dog bite, get their information and take down their statement. That way, we can follow up and get them officially on record when negotiating for your claim. We will also help you gather CCTV footage of your dog bite if it’s available.
Medical and Financial Records
When you seek medical treatment, retain all medical records on your injuries. This will help show the extent of your damages and how bad the impacts of your dog bite are. Your medical records are also essential to make a case for any non-economic damages you wish to pursue compensation for.
Your financial records pertaining to your dog bite incident, such as any expenses you may have incurred, are also essential. They show just how much of an economic impact your dog bite accident had on your life. These can get reimbursed properly so long as you have all receipts, bills, and invoices.
Evidence Is Time-Sensitive
Remember, case evidence doesn’t last forever. The best time to file a claim is when you have a strong case to back it up. You should always prioritize building a solid case with strong evidence before the two-year statute of limitations.
Don’t squander the time that you have. If you let time continuously pass, the risk of evidence becoming weak or lost increases. The last thing you want is to file your claim with little to nothing backing it up.
Call the Dog Bite Injury Lawyers at John Foy & Associates
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that aggression is the most common behavioral problem in dogs. It’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dogs get kept in check and safe from others around them. Let our dog bite lawyers hold the negligent owner accountable and win you compensation for your damages. Call us today at (404) 400-4000 to get started.