While most pets are adequately trained, there are cases where someone’s animal defies their owner and attacks a human being. It is a terrifying and confusing situation to find yourself in, and if you ever do, there are actions you should take to make sure you are safe and receive the compensation you deserve – here they are.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention
You need to prove that you were injured during the attack, so seek medical attention as soon as you are bitten. Not only will this ensure your safety from infection, but it will also help win your case down the road.
Take Note of the Owner
In some cases, the owner will quickly contain their dog and make sure you are OK. In this case, you should ask for their name and contact information, as well as any vaccination records that they may have. If they don’t comply, however, you should take note of the dog breed and the way the owner looks, as you’ll have an easier time identifying them later on.
It’s important to note that once the incident is over, you should not contact the dog’s owner again. At this stage, they should go through your lawyer.
Take a Picture of the Injury
After sustaining an injury, your instinct won’t be to take out your phone and take a picture, especially if you are in pain. A picture is worth a thousand words, though, and it could help your claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
After being bitten by a dog, you need to understand your legal rights, and that is where a personal injury lawyer (and your evidence) comes in handy. Using their first-hand knowledge, they will guide you through your case, fighting for coverage on medical bills, mental anguish, time off work, and more.
While money might be the last thing on your mind if the injury is serious, it is important to avoid talking to the owner’s insurance company and instead contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Ferguson Law Group – Accident & Injury Lawyers Phoenix will take over the case, giving you the best chance to receive the compensation you deserve after such a traumatic event.
Collect Evidence
To help win a fair settlement, gather all the evidence you have. That should include medical bills, eyewitness statements, pictures of your injury, and time off work. By doing this, your claim will be much more convincing, increasing your chances of winning the case.
Report the Dog to Animal Control
Reporting the dog to animal control is another way to give your case strong support. Not only that, but it will ensure the dog is no longer a danger to other people. Animal control can check for rabies, order the owner to muzzle their dog, and even remove the dog from the custody of the owner (if necessary), so it’s important to report them as soon as possible. Remember places such as Orange County requires that all dogs must be on a leash.
Being bitten by a dog can be scary, confusing, and financially difficult, which makes seeking compensation a crucial step after the incident.