Whether you are at your neighbor’s house for a cookout or maybe walking through a downtown park on your lunch break from work, you may encounter what seems like a friendly dog. However, should something occur that makes the dog nervous, it may suddenly lunge at you and inflict a severe bite. When this happens, you will be stunned, seriously injured, and wondering what to do next. If you are facing this situation, here are the steps you should take immediately.
Find the Dog’s Owner
As quickly as you can, find the dog’s owner. By doing so, you can inform them of what has happened and also get important information about the dog, such as its breed, age, and medical history to ensure it has a recent rabies vaccination. In addition, also get the owner’s contact information so your attorney can contact them later if needed.
Get Medical Treatment for the Dog Bite
Since dog bites often result in torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your hands and arms, seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Depending on the severity of the bite, surgery may be needed to correct whatever problems you are experiencing. By getting immediate treatment, your injuries can also be quickly documented in your medical records, which can be crucial once your personal injury attorney begins negotiating with insurance companies.
Contact Police to make a record of the dog bite
If the bite was severe and led to serious injuries, it is usually best to also contact police about the incident. By doing so, animal control officers can come to the scene and assess the situation to determine if the dog should be considered vicious and a threat to others. In addition, police will file an accident report that can be used by your personal injury attorney to prove certain aspects of your case in court.
While dog bites may not happen very often, when they do they are extremely serious and often leave devastating injuries to adults and children. If you have been the victim of a dog bite and are in need of compensation for medical bills and other damages, consult immediately with dog bite attorneys in Mesa, AZ at Tobler Law.
