There are around 4.5 million injuries from dog bites in the USA every year.
It is important to understand the steps you need to follow if you are ever unlucky enough to be the victim of a dog bite attack.
Quick thinking is important when you are in the heat of the situation to be treated and gather the right evidence to file a compensation claim.
Follow our short guide to understand what you need to do if you are bitten by a dog.
1. Identify The Owner
If you are on your property and the dog is loose, then it is the neighbor’s responsibility for them to come and restrain their animal. Avoid engaging them in conversation about the attack, whether you know the person and the dog well or not.
Make sure you gather any information about the dog’s recent vaccination history, especially relating to rabies. Gather the contact information of the owner and their name. This is all you will need at this stage.
2. Seek Treatment
You need to get immediate medical attention for any dog bite, especially those that have broken the skin. Make sure you are safe from being further attacked by a dog, and then seek assistance. Dog bites tend to carry a high risk of becoming infected due to the level of bacteria in their mouths.
Clean the wound if you can with fresh water and bind it to stop any bleeding. Make your way to an emergency treatment center. Keep all the paperwork you are given by the doctors as you will need this in your compensation case.
3. Contact Animal Control
If your bite has broken or pierced the skin, then you are legally required in Texas to report it to the local rabies control authority.
Give them the details of the attack and as much information as you can recall about the dog.
4. Take Photos
You will need to gather evidence of the attack to report to the authorities and give it to your attorney, making sure you take photos of any wounds and the animal itself. Also, take pictures of the scene where it happened to help back up your story.
If anyone else was present who can provide witness testimony to your attack, ask them for their contact details and names so your attorney can contact them at a later date.
If any clothing or items were damaged in the attack, be sure to save them as they can be submitted as evidence during the claim.
5. Contact An Attorney
You need to get in touch with a dog bite lawyer who has previous experience dealing with dog bite claims. Insurance companies will do what they can to try and block or minimize your claim, so you need somebody with skill and experience in this field.
If you live in the Houston area of Texas, you can contact Jerome O. Fjeld, a personal injury lawyer in the state. He has had considerable previous success claiming compensation in this field. Follow the link to find out more about this dog bite attorney.
Get Compensation For Dog Bites
It is important to stay calm and ensure you are safe after the initial shock of dog bites wears off. Then once you are able, collect your evidence and speak to a skilled attorney.
You do not need to suffer more than is necessary if a dog has bitten you. Get the help you need and the compensation you deserve.
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