When Domestic Animals Overstep Boundaries
3 Things You Should Do If You’ve Become a Dog Bite Victim
Dogs make fantastic pets but there are circumstances in which they are anything but man’s best friend. Sometimes they bite, causing serious injuries, transmitting diseases, and leaving their victims terrified. If you are a victim of a dog bite, you may be wondering what to do. You should, of course, administer first aid and then seek immediate medical attention. However, if you want to be compensated for your injuries, you need to consult a personal injury lawyer. Let’s talk about how you can help your case.
Get as much information at the scene as possible
If you are able, get the name of the dog owner and the person who was with the dog at the time of the attack. It is important to find out if the dog has an owner. If it was a stray, you won’t be able to seek compensation for your injuries. You also want to get contact information for any witnesses and take photographs of your injuries. Your lawyer will ask for this.
There will be costs attached to your treatment following a dog bite. You may need stitches, surgery or even reconstructive surgery depending on the nature of the injuries. You may need a rabies shot and medication. You may have a long hospital stay. Collecting as much information as possible will make it more likely that you can recover these costs.
Follow doctor’s orders
You need to take the medication prescribed, change bandages as directed and follow all medical advice. You don’t want to do anything that will make your situation worse. This could result in you receiving reduced compensation or no compensation at all. If you’ve been given time off from work, make sure you use it to recuperate. Insurance companies and the dog owner’s lawyer will be looking for signs that you weren’t as badly injured as you claimed. You should keep all records of diagnosis and treatment as well as bills. These will come in handy if the matter has to go to court.
Contact a personal injury lawyer
It is best to seek legal advice if you’ve been seriously injured in a dog attack. The owner may contact you and agree to pay your bills. However, if there is no formal agreement, they may back out when your bills start to increase. They may even say they never agreed to pay. A personal injury attorney will be able to tell you whether you should settle out of court. They know how much is reasonable and if you’re being taken advantage of. You can click on the URL here to learn more about how seeking legal advice from a personal injury lawyer can help you throughout the process and get you the maximum insurance claim for all your injuries. This is a sensitive situation so you don’t want to make a decision you will regret. When you’re in pain and possibly still in shock, it is hard to make these choices on your own. You need an experienced dog bite attorney.
Dog bites can be physically debilitating and mentally tough. In addition to wounds and possible amputation or disease, you may develop a fear of all dogs. You can be compensated for this once the dog has an owner. If you follow the correct steps in the aftermath, you may be able to recover damages.
