Dog bites can happen for a number of reasons. The dog may suddenly feel threatened by your body language, movement, or tone of voice. He may become agitated if you come too close or try to play with him by waving a toy in front of his face. Dogs can be unpredictable sometimes, so it’s important to be prepared by learning what to do after a dog bite.
Seek medical attention.
Immediately following a dog bite, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. If the wound is deep, you will need to call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance. Even if the wounds are minor, you should still visit a doctor as soon as possible after the bite to prevent infection and ensure your injuries are documented.
Locate the owner.
Try to locate the owner of the dog so you can ask for his contact and insurance information. If you are able to find the owner, you should also ask him if the dog has been vaccinated. Victims who are unable to locate the owner of the dog may need to get a rabies shot as a preventative measure.
Collect information from witnesses.
If there were any witnesses to the dog bite, ask them for their contact information and try to find out what they saw. It’s important that you do not speak about the accident when talking to the witnesses. Don’t discuss your injuries or speculate as to what caused the dog to attack you.
Report the bite.
Animal bites should be reported within 12 hours to the animal protection agency within the county where the bite occurred. You will be asked to provide a description of the animal, the location of the dog bite, the owner’s information, and a brief summary of what happened.
Contact an attorney.
Finally, it’s in your best interests to contact a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible after you are bitten by a dog. An attorney will immediately begin to work on your case to gather evidence, identify the liable parties, and negotiate with the negligent party’s insurance company. If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you, do not give a statement or answer any questions until you have consulted with a lawyer.
If you have been attacked by a dog, contact Reisch Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to hold the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries and recover the compensation that you deserve. Schedule a free consultation by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
