Follow These 8 Tips in the Event of a Dog Bite

Dog attacks are reported by an estimated 1.5 million Americans each year, with approximately 200,000 dog bites and other animal-related injuries resulting in hospital visits. About 70 to 80 dog bites occur per day in the United States. Almost 90 percent of those bites occur in children under the age of 16. The average cost for a dog bite injury in the United States is over $1,500; however, this can often change depending on the victim’s age and medical expenses. Therefore, it is important to raise your claim quickly and ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries as soon as possible.

If a dog has injured you, here are eight steps that you should follow for the best possible response: 

1.   Seek medical attention immediately

The sooner you see a doctor, the better your chances of recovering from your dog bite injuries. In some cases, dog bite victims may experience temporary effects such as swelling or bruising that are treated with over-the-counter medications.

2. Photograph your wounds to file a police report

This helps law enforcement understand the type of injury they may have sustained, and it can also help them create a list of witnesses. The police report will also assist your medical care team in determining the best course of treatment for your injuries.

3. Contact the owner of the dog immediately

It is important to make a claim against the dog’s owner that attacked you as soon as possible. When you contact them, inform them that you intend to pursue a claim against them and their dog for damages. You should ask them to reimburse your immediate expenses and pay any medical bills that were incurred because of your dog bite injuries.

4. Keep track of any expenses incurred from your injuries

You should keep copies of all expenses incurred from your dog bite injuries and save receipts for all treatment costs.

5. Contact an attorney who specializes in animal litigation as soon as possible

If a dog or another animal has hurt you, you should hire an attorney to represent your case as soon as possible. An experienced animal attack lawyer will help you determine the type of compensation you should receive for your injuries. There are three types of compensation that can be considered in dog bite cases:

 >Past, present, and future medical compensation for your injuries;

 >Compensation for lost wages

 >Compensation for pain and suffering.

6. Document the dog’s behavior before you were attacked 

It is important to document the dog’s behavior before you were attacked so that it can be included in your case against the owner of the dog that bit you.

7. Promptly file an insurance claim

Depending on your dog bite injuries, you may be able to receive medical care that is paid for by your insurance company. Ensure you notify your insurance company of the incident and submit any claims within the time limit.

8. Motivate yourself to seek the best possible outcome

Sometimes the law takes time to process cases, especially dog bite cases. If you are delayed in filing a claim for your injuries, it could be difficult to secure a fair outcome. However, if you have an attorney knowledgeable about the law, it will make all the difference in the world when they represent you in court.