If you or someone you love was bitten by someone’s dog in Albuquerque, NM, it’s critical to understand your rights. Call Jones Injury Attorneys at (505) 248-1400 for a free consultation with an experienced Albuquerque dog bite lawyer. Let us help you fight for full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
After a dog bite, you can count on us to handle the legal issues. Call our Albuquerque personal injury attorneys today to get started.
Why Choose Jones Injury Attorneys for Help After a Dog Bite Incident in Albuquerque?
Jones Injury Attorneys is a leading personal injury law firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When you hire us, you can expect a dedicated team that will fight tirelessly to help you get the money you deserve.
Dog bite victims continue to choose our Albuquerque personal injury lawyers for help with their cases because:
- Our attorneys have earned a proven track record of success over the years.
- Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience representing injury victims and their families.
- We’ve successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
- We intentionally keep our caseload small, ensuring you’ll never get lost in the shuffle.
- This system enables us to provide each client with personalized attention and a custom-tailored legal strategy.
It’s not always easy to hold a dog’s owner responsible for injuries. Call our Albuquerque dog bite attorneys today to learn more about how we can put our legal experience to work for you.
How Common Are Dog Bites in New Mexico?
According to some statistics, roughly 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Insurance companies across the U.S. paid over $1.5 billion in 2024 to settle dog bite injury claims.
What Is My Albuquerque Dog Bite Case Worth?
Dog bites can take a serious toll. When you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial fallout, it’s critical to understand how much the dog’s owner may owe you.
While all cases are different, we can break down several factors that will be highly relevant in assessing your case value:
- The seriousness of your injuries
- All medical expenses made necessary due to the dog bite
- Any loss of work and income during recovery
- Whether you can return to the same job
- The emotional trauma and fear you have experienced
- Impacts of a long-term disability on your earnings and quality of life
- The strength of the evidence
- Whether you’re being blamed for the incident
- Available insurance coverage
Insurance companies fight hard to minimize settlement payments. Our team at Jones Injury Attorneys has the skills and resources to help you get the full compensation you deserve.
If you were bitten by a dog, contact our attorneys at your convenience to schedule a free case review. We can start building your claim for compensation today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Dog Bites in Albuquerque?
Most dog bite cases involve two primary types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are awarded to offset tangible financial losses, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for your personal suffering. While these types of losses don’t have a clear and direct financial value, they can significantly impact many aspects of your life.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety, PTSD, and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
Our Albuquerque dog bite attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that victims receive fair compensation for all their losses.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Claim in New Mexico?
Victims often worry about the cost of legal representation. Like most personal injury law firms, Jones Injury Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis.
When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a fixed percentage of your settlement or verdict. That way, there’s no risk that you’ll owe attorneys’ fees without receiving compensation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Injuries in New Mexico?
It’s possible. Many dog bite injury cases are based on negligence. In New Mexico, the victim’s own comparative negligence can become an issue. Provocation defenses are common in dog bite cases. The owner may claim you did something to cause the attack.
New Mexico is a pure comparative negligence state. Unless you were 100% responsible for your injuries, you can typically recover partial compensation. Any amount awarded is usually reduced by your share of fault.
If the dog’s owner is trying to blame you, our lawyers know how to fight these kinds of tactics. Instead of backing down, contact our attorneys and let us help you defend against unfair accusations.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Albuquerque, New Mexico
When an animal attacks, it can cause extensive damage. The injuries you suffer will depend heavily on the circumstances. Even if the dog’s owner was present, they may not be able to stop the dog once it begins attacking.
Larger animals also have the power to knock victims to the ground, causing injuries that may be more extensive than the bite wounds themselves.
Our attorneys represent dog bite victims with all types of injuries, including:
- Torn skin and lacerations
- Deep puncture wounds
- Crushing injuries
- Concussions
- Eye and facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue (e.g., muscle, tendon) damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Amputations and other infection-related injuries
It’s important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible after a dog bite. The dog bite should also be reported to Animal Protection Services so that the dog can be evaluated for rabies.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in New Mexico?
Under the New Mexico statute of limitations, you’ll typically have three years to file a lawsuit. If you fail to initiate the lawsuit within three years of the dog bite, you will likely lose your right to damages.
While three years might seem like plenty of time, it’s essential to initiate the process as soon as possible. Dog owners aren’t automatically liable for damages in New Mexico. You’ll need evidence to prove your case, and evidence tends to become more difficult to find as time passes.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in New Mexico?
New Mexico doesn’t have its own dog bite statute. Instead, general personal injury concepts will govern your case.
Dog owners can be held responsible if:
- They knew, or reasonably should have known, that their dog had vicious tendencies, and
- Their dog bit and injured you.
This is similar to a “one-bite rule.” Owners of dogs who have bitten or injured in the past are presumed to know that their dog has vicious tendencies. It can be easier to prove liability if there’s proof that the dog had bitten or attacked in the past.
If the dog that attacked you has harmed someone in the past, our attorneys have the resources to prove it.
How Can I Prove the Dog’s Owner Was Negligent?
Not all dog bite victims have proof that the dog had previously caused harm. That doesn’t mean the dog’s owner is simply let off the hook. They can still be held responsible for their own negligence.
Someone is negligent if:
- They have a legal duty of care.
- They fail to exercise a reasonable amount of caution, breaching that duty.
- That breach causes harm to another.
- The victim can prove they suffered damages.
All dog owners have a duty to take reasonable precautions to prevent their dogs from injuring others. That may mean keeping the dog secured on a leash or securely on the owner’s property.
Even if the dog has never bitten before, dog owners are presumed to know that dogs have the potential to cause harm. If the dog’s owner failed to take steps to prevent you from suffering harm, count on us to hold them responsible.
Can Someone Other Than the Dog’s Owner Be Liable for Damages?
That depends on the facts. If someone other than the dog’s owner was responsible for the dog at the time, they may be liable for their own negligence.
If you were bitten while on someone else’s property, you may also have rights under New Mexico premises liability laws. Property owners generally also have duties. If they allow you onto their premises, they must take reasonable steps to ensure your safety. Allowing a dangerous dog to remain on the property and cause harm can violate their duty of care.
Contact Our Albuquerque Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were bitten by a dog, call Jones Injury Attorneys to learn about your legal options. An experienced Albuquerque dog bite lawyer can help you fight for every penny you deserve. Your consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to reach out for legal help today.