Albuquerque Dog Bite Injury Attorney

As a dog bite victim in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it’s important to ask for help. You have rights, including the ability to file a dog bite lawsuit against the dog’s owner and, in some cases, other parties. However, getting compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and trauma can be more of a challenge than you might expect. That’s where the Albuquerque injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber can help.

Our Albuquerque dog bite injury attorneys are nationally acclaimed trial attorneys with decades of collective experience handling complex personal injury disputes. As fearless advocates for our clients, we’ve successfully recovered over $2.5 billion in damages.

You shouldn’t have to struggle with the consequences of a dog attack on your own. Let our award-winning New Mexico litigators help you get the justice you deserve. There’s no charge for your initial case evaluation, so contact our Albuquerque law office to get started today.

Are Dog Bites Common in Albuquerque?

Yes. Hundreds of dog bites are reported across the city of Albuquerque every year. In fact, dog bites are so problematic in Albuquerque that the city ranks 16th in the nation for dog attacks on mail carriers. In 2023, there were 26 verified attacks on mail carriers in the largest city in New Mexico.

Albuquerque lawmakers have taken steps to address the city’s dog bite problem. In 2005, Angel’s Law was passed to help protect residents from dangerous dogs that were allowed to roam the city. The law explains that “owners who allow their dangerous dogs to run loose in the city or fail to safely and humanely restrain those dogs on their property are criminally and civilly liable for the harm those dogs cause.”

A dangerous dog includes:

• A dog that causes “serious injury, great bodily harm, or mortal injury to a person or companion animal” without provocation, or
• A dog that has been identified as a potentially dangerous dog and either attacks someone or chases another person aggressively without provocation.

The owner of a dangerous dog can be liable for a bite victim’s resulting damages.

If you’ve been attacked by a dog, it’s important to reach out to our dog bite attorneys in Albuquerque to discuss your legal rights and options. Dog bite litigation can be complicated. Our law firm has the experience, knowledge, and resources you need to make the most of your fight for compensation.

Does New Mexico Have a One Bite Law?

New Mexico does not have a defined dog bite statute. Rather, the state subscribes to a one-bite system. Under the one-bite system, dog owners are not automatically liable the first time their animal attacks another person.

In order to recover compensation, a dog bite victim must either prove that the dog’s owner was negligent or that they had actual or constructive knowledge of a dog’s vicious propensities.

A dog’s owner might be considered negligent if they failed to take reasonable steps to control their animal, such as:

• Violating Albuquerque leash laws
• Failing to keep the dog in a fenced-in yard
• Allowing their dog to roam freely around the city

When a dog’s owner has knowledge of a dog’s vicious tendencies, they can be strictly liable for resulting injuries or wrongful deaths. When filing a dog bite lawsuit, a victim must prove that they were bitten by the dog without provocation and suffered injuries, as a result. There’s no need to demonstrate the owner’s negligence.

Dog Bite Lawsuits As a Matter of Premises Liability

The dog’s owner is not the only one who might be liable for a dog bite. There are times when dog bite cases are a matter of premises liability. If you get bitten by a dog on someone else’s property, the owner of the premises could potentially be liable for your resulting injuries. 

This might allow you to sue an Albuquerque business, government agency, or private property owner for your medical expenses, loss of income, emotional distress, and other bite-related damages.

You can win a premises liability action as long as you can demonstrate that the owner owed you a duty of care, breached it by failing to take appropriate steps to prevent the dog attack and that their actions were the direct and proximate cause of your dog bite injuries.

Dog Bites Can Inflict Life-Changing Physical Injuries

More than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year. More than half of these victims are children. Not surprisingly, the consequences of these dog bites tend to be quite catastrophic.

Some of the most commonly reported dog bite injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures, especially to the fingers, hands, and arms
• Nerve damage
• Amputation injuries
• Brain injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Eye injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Chest injuries
• Infections
• Bruising and contusions
• Crushing injuries
• Wrongful death

Seek prompt medical attention as soon as you can after you’ve been attacked by a dog in Albuquerque. Sometimes, the shock of being bitten by a dog can mask critical signs and symptoms of serious physical trauma, especially internal injuries. Getting to the closest hospital to you in the city is the best way to mitigate your injuries and ensure you give yourself the best possible chance of making a full recovery.

Dog Bite Victims in Albuquerque, NM, Trust Singleton Schreiber

Don’t let the dog’s owner or a negligent property owner off the hook when you’re bitten by a dog in Albuquerque. Call Singleton Schreiber and discover how our award-winning Albuquerque dog bite injury lawyers can help you demand the financial accountability you deserve.

We want you to have the time you need to recover from your debilitating dog bite injuries, which is why we’re prepared to handle all aspects of your personal injury case.

Among other things, you’ll be able to count on us to:

• Investigate your dog bite case
• Gather critical pieces of evidence, including vet records, medical records, surveillance footage, photographs, eyewitness statements and depositions, and forensics reports
• Consult expert witnesses who can lend valuable insight as we build your case and calculate your damages
• Handle all administrative elements of your claim
• Provide counsel and advice when it’s time for you to decide how to resolve your dog bite lawsuit

We’re local lawyers with national resources at our disposal. When you ask for our help, we’ll be ready to do everything in our power to get you the top-dollar recovery you deserve. Call our Albuquerque personal injury lawyers today to get started. Your first case evaluation is free.