Take These Measures If You Are Attacked By A Dog

Posted on

If you are pursuing a dog bite case, the actions you took immediately after the bite goes a long way in determining the strength of the case. This means if you have been bitten by a dog, there are actions you should take to strengthen your potential claim; for example, you should:

Get the Name and Contacts of the Owner

The only way you can get compensated for your damages is if you can identify the owner of the dog. This is why you need to get the name and contact of the dog owner. This is especially necessary if the attack occurred outside the dog owner's home (for example, in a park) and tracing them will be difficult. Do this even if you haven't made up your mind to pursue damages; its best to have the contact and not need it than to need it and fail to have it.

Get the Names and Contacts of Witnesses

If there are witnesses on the scene, then you should also get their names and contacts. If you don't do that, then it will be your word against the dog owner's word, and you don't want to box yourself in such a position. What if the dog owner lies that you provoked the dog or that it was another random dog that bit you? Having witnesses can easily help you disapprove such erroneous claims.

Preserve the Evidence

Preserving physical evidence of the attack can also help strengthen your claim. For example, if the bite or attack has left you with torn or bloodied clothing, don't be hasty in getting rid of them; in fact, don't even wash the clothes. Put the clothes somewhere safe in that state until you are through with the claim or any lawsuit it may generate.

Get Medical Attention

A dog bite isn't just a mere puncture wound; it can leave you with a nasty infection, for example, if the dog transfers germs from its mouth or saliva during the bite. The risk of getting rabies alone should send you scurrying to the doctor's office as soon as possible. Apart from that, getting prompt medical treatment will also prove to the dog owner and the court (assuming it gets that far) that you were actually hurt and you took measures to mitigate your damages.

Report the Incident                

Lastly, you need to report the incident to the animal control authorities (or the police). This serves two purposes; first, it helps the authorities to take measures (such as guarantying the animal) to prevent the animal from attacking other people. Secondly, it also gets your attack on record, and you can use the record to pursue your claim.

If you would like to learn more tips, contact a law firm like Palace Law. 


Share