Nearly half of all American households own a dog and it’s not hard to understand why. They’re loyal, smart, and affectionate creatures that exude love everywhere they go. For many people, dogs are more than just pets, they’re part of the family.

Unfortunately, like humans, these animals aren’t perfect. Every year, around 4.5 million Americans suffer a dog bite. These bites can be extremely serious and pose risks like infection, scarring, and long-term complications if not treated properly.

In the aftermath of a bite, many people are unsure what steps to take. This guide explains what to do if you’re bitten, what evidence is important to preserve, and why hiring an injury attorney is one of the best decisions you can make.

Immediately After a Bite

Medical Attention

As with all personal injuries, the most important thing to do following a dog bite is receive medical attention. This ensures proper healing, prevents long term complications, and helps prove your bite in court later on.

Identify an Owner

Outside of medical attention, it’s imperative that you identify the owner of the dog that bit you. With many bites occurring in public spaces, it’s crucial to identify an owner before anyone leaves the scene. If you do not know who owns the dog or the address at which the dog is kept, then you do not have a case.

Ideally, try to get a picture of the dog that bit you and of the owner’s driver’s license. This will be key evidence for your case down the line.

Building  Your Case and Preserving Evidence

Report the Bite to the Police

Once you receive medical attention and identify the owner of the dog that bit you, it’s time to focus on collecting and preserving evidence.

A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence for dog bite cases. It serves as official documentation of the incident and helps establish a timeline of what transpired. Additionally, if the dog that bit you has a history of biting other people, an official report helps ensure that it won’t happen again.

Some people may hesitate with this step because they’re concerned about what will happen to the dog. While each situation is different, reporting a dog bite to the police does not automatically mean the dog will be euthanized. Court-ordered safety measures (like quarantine, muzzling, and fence installation) are more likely outcomes for dogs with no prior history of aggression.

Take Photos of Your Injuries

Dog bites can result in horrific injuries that require immediate medical attention. If possible, try to document your injuries via photo and video before you receive care. This helps capture graphic details that quickly fade once you get treatment.

Following medical attention, it’s important to continue documenting the healing process. Photos and videos of your recovery serve as testaments to the pain and hardship that you endured as a result of your dog bite.

Do not Speak to the Adjuster from the Insurance Company

If you’re contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company, do not speak to them. They will record your conversations and find ways to make you say things that you might regret later.

To avoid mistakes like this, it’s a good idea to enlist the services of an injury attorney and have them present for any and all conversations with insurance adjusters.

Contacting an Injury Attorney (Before Things Get Complicated)

Receiving compensation for a dog bite is hard work. The slightest legal mis-step can call your entire case into question.

In order to protect your rights and obtain maximum compensation, you want an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner. An attorney will be able to:

• Communicate with insurance
• Preserve evidence
• Coordinate medical treatment and documentation
• Ensure important court deadlines are met

These procedures are complicated and navigating them alone can be a major burden for someone already dealing with trauma from a dog bite. Having trusted legal guidance early can help prevent small issues from becoming major obstacles later on.

Get David Get Paid

If you were bitten by a dog and need legal help, contact Femminineo Law right away!

At Femminineo Law, we take the guesswork out of dog bite cases. We’ll worry about contacting adjusters, coordinating medical treatment, and making sure bills get paid. That way, you can focus on what really matters: healing.

Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH to speak with our team and discuss your options for compensation today.

Get David. Get Paid.