After being bitten by someone else’s dog, Should the Victim talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Mobile, AL?
People in Alabama love their dogs as much as anyone else, if not a little bit more. However, that doesn’t change the fact that some dogs are dangerous. People, particularly children, are seriously injured or even killed by vicious dogs.
Children and Older Women are Most at Risk
More than half of those killed by dogs in 2014 were killed by a pack of dogs, highlighting the importance of dog training. Other than children, the people most likely to be attacked were women over 50.
Alabama Dog Bite Laws
• The victim must have been bitten on the owner’s property or was chased off of the property by the dog.
• If the owner of the dog had no knowledge of the dog being dangerous, the owner would be liable for actual expenses related to the dog’s bite (medical bills, etc.).
• There is an exception to this rule. If the breed is known to be vicious, such as a pitbull, this can be enough to prove that the owner had reason to believe the dog could be vicious.
• If the owner knew the dog had bitten someone in the past, or even if the dog only acted like it wanted to bite, this can be considered negligence on the owner’s part. The owner would be liable for damages beyond actual expenses.
• Fighting with other dogs in the past is not enough to prove that the dog could be dangerous to people.
Landlord Liability
A landlord must be notified if other tenants feel threatened by one tenant’s dangerous dog. If no one had notified the landlord of the “dangerous condition,” the landlord is not liable.
Injuries Caused by Dogs, Other than Bites
In one case, dogs were chasing people riding bikes or cars that went past the owner’s property. Since the owner knew that the dogs did this, she was responsible for injuries to bikers who were chased and fell.
Contributory Negligence
If the victim was negligent (provoking a dog, for example), the victim is not entitled to compensation.
If you’ve been seriously injured by a dog bite, consult a personal injury lawyer in Mobile, AL. Alabama laws are very specific regarding a dog owner’s responsibility. Find out from a personal injury lawyer in Mobile, AL, if the dog’s owner owes you compensation. Contact Gene T. Moore, as he has been fighting for victim’s rights for more than 20 years.
