When you go outside, the last thing you expect is a dog bite. Unfortunately, studies show that about 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. The studies also show that of those people bitten by dogs, 800,000 of them will require medical attention. If you've been bitten by a dog, it's important that you know what to do. Taking the appropriate steps after the attack will help ensure you receive adequate compensation and care for your injuries. Here are four steps you should take if you've been bitten by a dog.
Get Names and Numbers
If you're the victim of a dog bite, you need to get the names and numbers of the dog owners, as well as information for anyone who witnessed the attack. This information will help law enforcement, or animal control officers identify the dog and locate the owners for possible citations. Having witness information will help if you decide to seek legal action against the owners of the dog.
Seek Medical Attention
As soon as you've been bitten by a dog, you need to seek medical attention. This is particularly important, especially if the wound broke the skin. If you're unable to identify the dog, doctors will need to begin rabies treatment. Dog bites can also lead to serious infections, which will need to be treated by a medical professional.
Take Plenty of Photographs
Pictures are important. You need to document the injuries throughout the process. As soon as you can, take pictures of the wound. Continue to take pictures of the wound on a daily basis until the wound is completely healed. If the injuries leave scars, you'll also need pictures of those. Pictures will help document the severity of the wounds, as well as how long the wounds took to heal.
Talk to an Attorney
If you've been the victim of a dog bite, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible, especially if your injuries are going to need extensive medical treatment. Your attorney will be able to help you receive the medical care and compensation you're going to need in order to fully recover from the injuries.
Dog bites can leave you with lasting scars – both physical and emotional. If you've been bitten by a dog, there are steps you'll need to take in order to receive the care you need. The information provided here will help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. Contact a law firm, such as the Gartner Law Firm, for more information.
Share9 April 2016
When I sued a product manufacturer after a disfiguring accident, I never expected to actually go to court. I assumed that the case would eventually be settled, like most personal injury cases are. To my surprise, they wouldn't budge, and we ended up having to go all the way to court. I was pretty nervous about testifying, but I had a great attorney that prepared me well, and everything went smoothly. In the end, the jury saw things my way. I realized that I probably wasn't the only person to ever experience an unexpected day in court, and that's how I got the idea to start this blog. If you're looking for tips to help you prepare or wondering what to expect when you go to court for a lawsuit, this blog contains important information for you.
