The menacing eyes and aggressive snarling are harrowing enough, but the sharp pain as the teeth sink into your flesh is what truly causes unimaginable trauma. Despite being a man’s best friend, dogs can attack humans for many reasons, from fear to sickness, protective instincts, and sometimes even overexcitement.
If you are a victim of a dog bite that is no fault of yours, you can seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But your chances of winning depend on the steps you take from the moment the canines sink into your flesh. This is why we always recommend hiring an expert personal injury attorney. These professionals have knowledge about the legal aspects of personal injury scenarios, such as a dog bite, and they help you navigate this realm more effectively. This way, they assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.
That said, here is a rundown of what you should do in the event of a dog bite incident.
Seek Medical Attention
A dog’s mouth harbors a lot of bacteria, some of which may find their way into your body through a bite. To prevent this from happening, seek medical attention immediately after the incident. Your doctor will take the necessary steps to clean the wound and prescribe medication to minimize the risk of infections like tetanus and rabies.
Moreover, seeking medical aid helps not just your health but also sets you on a path to compensation. It establishes an official medical record that can bolster your claim, as it is a critical piece of evidence.
Take Photos of the Injury
Next, you should take pictorial evidence of the injury. While it may be a gory sight, depending on the bite’s severity, these photos will serve as evidence that can strengthen your case.
Additionally, if the scene has clear aggravating factors, such as a hole in the fence, an open dog cage, or a dog off its leash, capture these as well.
Report the Incident
Moving on, you should report the incident to local California animal control. There are many reasons why this is a prudent move. For one, it establishes an official incident record. It also complies with local California laws, as there is a risk of rabies.
And in case you don’t know who is responsible for the dog that bit you, reporting the incident can help identify the party responsible for your damages. The responding police or animal control officers will investigate the case to identify the liable party.
Contact Your Attorney
Let’s face it: handling a dog bite claim yourself can be overwhelming. That is why you need to call in an expert, someone who has seen such cases before and ultimately helped the victim get justice, such as a California personal injury attorney.
If you don’t have a personal injury attorney, it’s never too late to start looking for one. Start by asking your close friends and family for referrals. You can also check websites like Yelp and Google for customer testimonials.
Keep All Records of the Injury
For any expense tied to the bite, you deserve compensation. For this reason, you should preserve all evidence. Keep all the medical appointment notes, prescriptions, and receipts. These are extremely important documents that can make or break your claim.
Maintaining a journal documenting your recovery from the bite and its impact on your daily life is also wise. All of this can serve as crucial evidence for your case.
Conclusion
Man’s best friend can turn into your worst enemy because of triggers like fear, anxiety, pain, sickness, and even overexcitement. And when the dog bite is not your fault, compensation for damages like medical expenses and pain and suffering through a personal injury lawsuit is within your rights. By following the steps in this blog, you are well on your way to recovery with justice.
