Have you recently suffered an injury from a dog attack and are wondering if you have a dog bite injury case?
Dog bites fall under the umbrella of an accident. So, when you’re looking for the best attorney for dog bite injuries, you want experienced and trustworthy accident lawyers on your side.
Even if their practice areas don’t specifically identify them as a dog bite injury lawyer, you know you’re in good hands with attorneys with a proven track record of getting justice for their clients.
Why Do Dogs Attack?
There are many reasons dogs attack. In the case of delivery drivers and mail carriers, it’s often a result of territorial behavior. They’re simply protecting what they believe is theirs.
Yet, just like people, dogs that have experienced trauma can be anxious and fearful. Their animalistic instincts can lead to aggressive behavior. Even toward people they don’t believe to be a threat. This can include neighbors and friends. Additionally, a dog that is in pain from an injury or illness may exhibit unusual behavior.
Dog owners bear responsibility for ensuring that their canines are trained and attended to so that they don’t run the risk of attacking anyone. Despite the best intentions, sometimes accidents still happen. Yet, there are often cases where owners are negligent. In both situations, if you bring in an attorney, you may be able to get a dog bite injury settlement.
Steps to Take Following a Dog Bite Attack
The very first thing you’ll want to do after a dog bite is identify the owner of the dog or the person in custody of it when it attacked you. Get the names and addresses and request proof of rabies vaccination.
Then seek immediate medical care. You don’t want to skip this step – even if you assume the injury is minor. No matter how well you may have cleaned your wound, there is still a huge risk of infection from a dog bite. Furthermore, if no proof of a rabies vaccination is obtained, you may be forced to undergo a series of rabies shots.
After you’ve been medically treated and are ready to make a claim to get damages for your injury, you’ll need to do the following:
File a Dog Bite Report
If you’re planning to sue the owner, you’ll need to legally document your case. By filing a dog bite report with the appropriate city or county authorities, you’ll be doing just that. Plus, you’ll be creating a paper trail so that authorities can effectively enforce.
Gather Additional Information
Once you’ve identified the dog’s owner, it’s time to find out more about the dog. It’s crucial to determine whether the dog has previously bitten another person or has been legally designated as dangerous by the authorities. You can find this by obtaining the dog’s license information and any records pertaining to its history.
Get Photographic Evidence
Take plenty of photos of your injuries, including bruises, scratches, and bigger wounds. You’ll also want to photographically document any torn or bloody clothing from the attack.
Finally, Get the Best Attorney for Dog Bite Injuries
The legal issues around dog bites are complicated and not easy to navigate on your own. So don’t hesitate to contact a dog bite attorney. You want a dog bite lawyer who truly cares and will look after your best interest.
In addition, if you’re seeking medical compensation, start keeping a journal right away. During the first few weeks after the bite, be sure to spend a little time each day recording your thoughts and feelings regarding the attack. Because dog bite claims can take years, you’ll need to keep this journal on a weekly basis after those first few weeks.
Ease Some of the Pain of Your Dog Bite Injury
If you’re hurting and seeking the best attorney for dog bite injuries, you’ll get the care you need at Kajy Law. To get a feel for what you can expect, just take a look at testimonials from our clients.
Then contact us or call us today at 877-KAJY-CARES to set up your free consultation.
And let us care for you.