If bitten by a dog, document everything and seek medical attention. If you have been bitten by a dog, there are several steps you can take. First and foremost, seek medical attention immediately. A dog bite can cause serious damage to your body and it is important that you get it treated correctly. If possible, ask if the owner of the dog wants to file a report with animal control or law enforcement so there is documentation in case of future trouble with this animal or its owner (more on this later).
However, if the owner defends the dog’s action and seems reluctant to file a report or seek professional help, you can report the dog to animal control. Not only will you be saving yourself from other attacks from the same dog, but you’ll also be helping other neighbors. You’ll also be helping the dog get the treatment it needs to stop being a threat to other people.
Next, find evidence of past aggressive behavior by the dog; photos or video footage could be helpful here. It’s also important to record all medical expenses associated with treating your injuries following the bite; these should include any follow-up visits as well as any prescriptions for pain relief medications or antibiotics that may be needed during recovery from an infection caused by bacteria spread through saliva contact with open wounds on hands or arms (especially those near joints).
This will come in handy when filing for compensation from their insurance company, since most companies pay out only 50% of their policy limits before claiming fraud against them by saying victims exaggerated how bad their injuries were after getting bitten by an animal owned by someone else (which isn’t true at all).
You should also reach out right away to a personal injury attorney who specializes in helping people recover financial damages after being injured due to negligence on behalf of another person’s actions such as failure to keep secure dogs properly while they were off-leash near children playing outside their homes.
A dog attack lawyer will advise you on the right course of action. Some of the services you’ll get from a qualified dog attack lawyer include:
- Legal advice on how to proceed from the incident
- Advice on what kind of compensation you should get from the insurance company
- Followups on the insurance companies to compensate you
- Representation in court if you go to trial
- Advice on how you can recover from the nasty incident
Conclusion
If you are bitten by a dog, remember to stay calm. If possible, get the owner’s contact information, or at least their name and address. File a report with your municipal government and take pictures of the scene of the incident.
Make sure that you keep track of all medical expenses related to the bite, both present, and future. Go to urgent care or your doctor immediately after getting bitten so they can assess the damage done by any infection that may have been caused, as well as help prevent that from happening in the first place.