Dog may be known as “man’s best friend” but there are millions of dog bite accidents each year. If you are the victim of one and suffer an injury, you might be able to recover compensation for your damages. Read on to learn the five steps you should take after a dog bite, then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
- Identify the Dog and the Dog Owner
- Get Emergency Medical Care
- Report the Attack to the Appropriate Individuals
- Take Photos of the Injury and Other Evidence
- Call an Attorney
If you are able to, identify the dog and their own before you leave the scene. There are a few reasons you should do this. First, you need to know who can be held accountable for your injuries and other damages. Second, you need to know whether or not the dog was up to date on its rabies shot. If not, you will need to get a shot yourself.
if your skin was broken by the dog bite then you need to get medical care and you need to get it right away. This is essential both for your health and for documenting the incident to assure you can prove any accident claim that might arise. If you are dealing with a serious injury, then you will certainly want to go to the emergency room. Otherwise, you can likely go to an urgent care center. Just be sure to get the care that day to prevent potential complications.
You will need to call either the sheriff’s office or the local animal control department, depending on the specific county on which you were bitten. If you are not sure which one to call, just pick one to call. They can direct you to the appropriate party if they are not it. Whomever you talk to, be prepared to give them the name and address of the owner of the dog, if you have it.
Securing compensation for your damages is often reliant on the quality of the evidence you have. Take photos of the injury as soon s possible. Continue to take photos as the wound heals to show any scarring or other disfigurement. Take photos of where the accident occurred, especially if there was something that allowed the dog to attack you when you otherwise believed you were safe.
You do not have to wait until step five to do this, but it is essential that you call an attorney. We can help secure evidence, talk to the appropriate officials, and ensure that the insurance companies involved are notified without you putting your case in jeopardy. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to request a free legal consultation.
