Peachtree Corners Dog Bite Attorneys
Insurance companies move fast after an accident — and not in your favor. McGahren Law builds every case from day one as though it will go to trial, because that’s what it takes to get what you’re owed.
Helping victims of dog attacks in Gwinnett County maximize their compensation since 1996
Dog bites can happen in an instant, but the physical and emotional effects often last much longer. Whether the attack occurred at a friend’s home, in a public park, while taking a walk through your neighborhood, or while delivering food for DoorDash or another delivery service, victims are often left facing painful injuries, expensive medical treatment, and lost income.
At McGahren Law, we understand that some dog bite victims are hesitant to pursue a claim because they know the dog’s owner personally and don’t want to create financial hardship for a friend, neighbor, or family member.
In many cases, however, compensation comes from an insurance policy rather than directly from the owner’s pocket. Our job is to help you understand your legal options, investigate what happened, and pursue the compensation you need to recover while treating everyone involved with professionalism and respect.
For more than 30 years, our Peachtree Corners dog bite attorneys have earned a reputation across Georgia for going further for injured clients. We prepare every case with the care and attention it deserves because we know even a single dog attack can have lifelong consequences.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Peachtree Corners or elsewhere in Gwinnett County, contact McGahren Law today for a free consultation* to learn how we can help.
A serious dog bite demands a serious attorney.
We’ll make sure nothing is overlooked.
No fee until we win. A real person always picks up.
The trust we’ve earned speaks for itself
Why choose McGahren Law after a dog bite in Peachtree Corners?
We go further for you than anyone else will.
We won’t let an insurance company downplay your injuries
Insurance companies often treat dog bite claims as routine injury cases, even when victims are left with permanent scarring, nerve damage, emotional trauma, or years of reconstructive treatment. We take the time to fully document how the attack has affected your health, your livelihood, and your quality of life so your claim reflects the true impact of your injuries—not just your initial medical bills.
You’ll receive the attention your case deserves
Recovering from a serious dog bite can involve surgery, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, counseling, and months of uncertainty. Throughout that process, you deserve a law firm that’s responsive, accessible, and invested in your recovery. We intentionally limit the number of cases we accept so we can provide every client with personalized guidance from beginning to end. When you call our office, you’ll always speak with a real person—day or night.
Local experience. Proven results.
For more than 30 years, McGahren Law has proudly served injured clients throughout Georgia from our Peachtree Corners office. During that time, we’ve recovered more than $60 million for our clients, handled more than 100 trials, and earned recognition from Super Lawyers, AVVO, and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. Those accomplishments reflect our commitment to careful preparation, relentless advocacy, and helping injured people rebuild their lives after someone else’s negligence.
FAQs about dog bite laws and lawsuits in Georgia?
Georgia’s dog bite law is found in O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7. Unlike some states that automatically hold dog owners responsible whenever their dog bites someone, Georgia generally requires an injured person to prove that the owner was legally at fault before compensation can be recovered.
In many cases, that means showing the owner knew—or should have known—that the dog had dangerous tendencies. However, a violation of a local leash law or animal control ordinance may also establish liability in certain situations.
To bring a successful dog bite claim in Georgia, it generally must be shown that:
- The dog caused your injuries.
- The owner was legally responsible under Georgia law.
- The owner’s negligence or failure to properly control the dog contributed to the attack.
Because every dog bite happens under different circumstances, liability depends on the specific facts of each case rather than the bite itself.
Sort of—but not in the way many people think.
Georgia is often described as a “one-bite rule” state because, in many cases, an injured person must prove the dog’s owner knew—or should have known—that the dog had dangerous tendencies before they can be held legally responsible.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean a dog gets “one free bite.”
For example, an owner may already have received notice that a dog is dangerous if the dog has:
- Bitten someone before
- Attempted to bite or attack another person
- Frequently acted aggressively toward people or other animals
- Been declared dangerous or vicious under Georgia law
- Been allowed to run loose in violation of a local leash law or animal control ordinance in certain circumstances
So, even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, you may still have a valid claim depending on the dog’s history, the owner’s actions, and whether local laws were violated.
Often, yes. But the answer depends on who owned or controlled the dog and how and where the attack happened. In many cases, the dog’s owner is the person who can be held legally responsible. However, depending on the circumstances, other parties may also share responsibility.
For example, it may also be possible to file a dog bite claim against:
- A property owner or landlord who failed to repair a broken fence or gate that allowed a known dangerous dog to escape.
- A property owner or landlord who knowingly allowed a dangerous dog to remain on the property in situations where they had the legal ability to address the problem.
- Someone other than the dog’s owner had custody or control of the dog when the attack occurred.
Every situation is different, and simply owning the property where a dog bite occurred does not automatically make someone legally responsible.
Determining who may be liable often requires carefully examining who owned the dog, who controlled it at the time of the attack, and whether another person’s negligence contributed to what happened.
Often, yes. Many dog bite claims are paid through a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than directly by the dog owner.
However, not every policy provides dog bite coverage, and some insurers exclude certain breeds or dogs with a history of aggressive behavior.
At McGahren Law, one of the first things we do is identify every available source of insurance coverage so our clients understand what compensation may be available.
Strong evidence can make a significant difference in a dog bite claim. In most cases, you’ll need to show not only that you were bitten, but also which dog attacked you, who owned or controlled the dog, and why an owner or landlord may be legally responsible under Georgia law.
Helpful evidence may include:
- Photographs of your injuries, the dog (if possible), and the location where the attack occurred
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
- Animal control or police reports
- Witness statements from people who saw the attack or recognized the dog
- Surveillance or doorbell camera footage from nearby homes or businesses
- Evidence that the dog had previously bitten someone or displayed aggressive behavior
- Evidence that the owner violated a local leash law or animal control ordinance
- Licensing, vaccination, or other records that help identify the dog and its owner
Even if the dog ran away after the attack or you weren’t able to photograph it, you may still have a claim. For example, neighbors may recognize the dog, nearby security cameras may have captured the incident, or animal control may be able to identify the dog based on prior complaints or licensing records.
Many people worry that a dog bite case will come down to their word against the owner’s, but that’s not usually how these cases are decided.
Instead, insurance companies, attorneys, and sometimes a jury consider all of the available evidence to determine whether it’s more likely than not that a particular dog caused the attack and that the owner is legally responsible.
The amount of compensation depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, whether surgery or reconstructive treatment is required, whether permanent scarring or disfigurement occurred, the amount of time missed from work, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery
Dog bite claims involving children, permanent facial scarring, nerve damage, multiple surgeries, or permanent disabilities are often worth substantially more because the physical and emotional effects may last for many years.
At McGahren Law, we’ve built our reputation on refusing to let insurance companies minimize serious injuries. We work to fully document the impact a dog bite has had on our clients’ lives and pursue compensation that reflects not only today’s losses, but the long-term consequences as well.
In most cases, Georgia law gives injured dog bite victims 2 years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances. If you’re unsure whether the filing deadline has passed, contact our Peachtree Corners dog bite attorneys as soon as possible. We can review your situation, determine whether any exceptions may apply, and help you explore your legal options.
What you can expect when you contact McGahren Law
Where can I find the best dog bite attorneys in Peachtree Corners?
Dog bite injuries are often more serious than they first appear. Beyond emergency medical treatment, victims may face infections, permanent scarring, reconstructive surgery, emotional trauma, amputations, and months or even years of recovery.
When those injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t be left to bear the financial burden alone.
At McGahren Law, we’ve spent more than 30 years helping injured Georgians hold negligent parties accountable when dog bites lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. We’ll thoroughly investigate what happened, identify every available source of compensation, and fight to make sure your claim reflects the full impact the attack has had on your life.
Learn why our team has been the trusted choice for dog bite victims in Gwinnett County since 1996. Schedule a free consultation* with McGahren Law today.
We go further than anyone else will. Starting with your first call.
No fee until we win. A real person always picks up.
