Dog bites happen all too often, and when they do, victims need to take steps that can help them should they choose to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, it is important that you:
- Take photos of the dog: It is important to take photographs of the dog involved in the incident. This will be important, especially if the dog’s owner was not present at the time and denies their dog’s involvement.
- Photograph the injuries: Immediately, or as soon as possible, photograph any injuries, no matter how minor – even before you receive medical treatment, as being able to prove the severity of the injuries is important. You should also take photographs of the injury after it has healed in case it left some type of permanent disfigurement.
- Report the dog to the county: Reporting the dog bite incident to the county will ensure that the dog is identified as vicious. This will put the county on notice of the dog’s propensity to attack people, and it will allow the county to take action if the dog attacks another person.
- Report the incident to the owner’s insurance company: You may be concerned about reporting the dog bite or filing a claim against the dog’s owner, especially if you know them. However, not doing anything is not in anyone’s best interest. The dog could be dangerous and may attack again.
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, you may be entitled compensation for your injuries. Filing a claim against the dog’s owner does not mean they will have to pay out of pocket for your injuries. Oftentimes, these incidents are covered under homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance, unless the dog has bitten someone in the past.
After a dog bite, you may not know what to do first or where to turn for help. Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney can help point you in the right direction and bolster your claim against the dog’s owner. Additionally, if you do not know who owns the dog that attacked you, a dog bite attorney can do some investigating and identify the responsible party against whom you should file a claim.
