Can You Sue for a Dog Bite Injury?
A dog can be the greatest companion you have. They are loyal, show undying love, and bring so much joy to your life. But that is your own dog, not a stranger?s dog that doesn?t know you and can be extremely wary of you. Dogs are, after all, animals, so it?s impossible to predict their actions. Approaching a dog you don?t know, or being involved in a situation where the dog feels threatened, scared, or protective of its own can result in you being bit. This is both scary and serious, and it?s important to know the steps you should take in this circumstance.
If you?re wondering if you can sue for a dog bite injury, we?ve got all the information you need.
Get Immediate Medical Attention:
Before you even wonder about suing after a dog bite, the first step you want to take is to get immediate medical attention. You will also need to get the name of the dog’s owner and their contact information – as this will be needed later. On top of their contact information, you will need their homeowner?s insurance information. This is also a good time to ask if the dog has received all its vaccinations, as this will be something the doctor will likely ask.
If there were any witnesses to the incident, you will want to get their contact information as well. In some cases, it may not be possible to identify who the owner is, so be sure to take photos of the dog and owner. These can come in handy down the road.
A dog bite can be relatively minor and require only a bit of medical attention, or be something much more serious. It?s best not to take chances and be seen by a professional.
Report the Dog Bite:
Reporting the dog bite to the local animal control will also be important, and will help to act as your official paper trail.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer:
After you have received medical attention and you are stable, now is the time to contact a personal injury lawyer. Ideally, you want to do this as soon as possible after being treated. You want to be able to recount your story to your attorney while it’s fresh in your mind. Every little detail will matter, so you don?t want much time to pass by.
Your lawyer will also want to see your medical file that describes your injury and your treatment. This information will be used when determining the compensation.
Your attorney will be able to take all the information you have shared with them and then let you know how strong your case is, and what you can expect in terms of the outcome. Within a dog bite lawsuit, there are actually two main parts, these are damages and liability. You can get more information by speaking to Horst Shewmaker.
Because a dog bite can be so serious it?s important you take all the right steps so that you can build a strong case.
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