Were you recently bitten by a dog? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, there are 4.7 million reported dog bite incidents every year.
However, we’ll understand if that comes as little comfort to you. That is, if your wounds aren’t even healed yet, you’re undoubtedly more concerned about what to do next. That’s where we come in.
What follows is a list of steps you must take immediately in the event of a dog bite. These steps will ensure that your medical needs are taken care of and that you receive any compensation to which you’re legally entitled. Read on to learn more.
1. Get Medical Attention
One of the first things you must do after a dog bite is to go to the doctor or the emergency room. Your wounds must be examined and taken care of right this instant for several reasons.
First, open wounds can get infected if not properly/immediately treated. Secondly, your wounds might be worse than you realize.
Even if your wounds seem minor, it’s best to get a professional opinion. Hidden wounds with no noticeable symptoms can worsen and become harder to treat if you wait.
Thirdly, the medical institution that treats you will keep detailed records of your injuries. This will be very important evidence in case you decide to take legal action.
2. Gather Evidence
Before you leave the scene of the incident, gather as much information as you can. After all, these cases are a lot more difficult for the police to piece together than, say, a car accident.
Cars can be easily identified by make, model, color, and license plate number. And all of them are registered to someone.
None of this is true of dogs. So you need to record as many details as you can as quickly as you can.
What color, breed, and age was the dog? Was there a person in charge of the animal? Describe them as well and record the time, date, and area.
If you have the ability to take pictures, take lots of them. If the dog’s handler is present, get their name and contact information. You will need all of this evidence to pursue this matter to its conclusion.
3. Take Legal Action
If your doctors confirm that your wounds are minimal, it’s up to you if you want to take action against the animal or its owner. Whether or not you feel the animal is dangerous should weigh into your decision.
However, this decision can wait. First, report the incident to your local government, just to get it on record.
Next, speak to a personal injury attorney about the incident. Dog bite cases are all unique so you will need personalized help from someone with experience.
Do You Need Legal Help For a Dog Bite Case?
If you are the recent victim of a dog bite, you now know what to do. Namely, follow these 3 steps to stay safe and legally protected. Also, keep this guide bookmarked for reference and share it if you know someone else who’s been bitten by a dog.
Lastly, if you believe you have grounds for a personal injury case, we can help. Contact Maurer Law now so we can get to work on your case as soon as possible.