Report the Incident
Dog bites can be dangerously serious injuries that require immediate medical attention to ensure proper treatment and to establish the relationship between your injuries and those caused by an unfamiliar canine, as soon as they happen. Seeking immediate medical assistance after being attacked by an unfamiliar canine is key to receiving appropriate treatment while creating evidence for insurance claims purposes.
Animal Control or Police should also be called, to report the incident and create an official record. This will enable law enforcement officials to identify both owner and animal, while assuring any needed rabies vaccinations are administered and prevent future attacks on your property.
While it is ideal to complete this report as soon as possible following an incident, you can also do it later provided all details are accurate. A quality incident report should contain only factual statements without opinions or bias; getting witness confirmation of details could help strengthen your case when seeking compensation for damages.
Your city or county may offer its own animal control department to investigate dog bite cases, which is often easier than working with private companies. Furthermore, working with them may give your claim an advantage by providing help identifying the owner of the dog more quickly – something which may otherwise prove challenging.
At the scene of an accident, it’s advisable to speak with witnesses as soon as possible after it occurs. Get their contact info as well as their statement detailing what occurred at the scene – these statements will provide crucial evidence in pursuit of compensation for medical costs and lost earnings caused by being incapacitated from working.
Finally, it is essential that you continue receiving medical care until your physician deems you have reached maximum medical improvement – this means achieving healing to a point that no longer necessitates regular visits or surgery for your injury.
Seek Medical Attention in Arizona
After being attacked by a dog, it’s crucial that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Seeking help early will reduce the risk of infection and also assist your legal case later on. Your doctor will assess your injuries, recommend vaccination against tetanus (if applicable) if necessary and clean the wound, prescribing antibiotics if required and suggesting stitches if applicable – depending on where they’re needed most.
Take photographs of any bite wounds and scarring that occurs, in case legal action becomes necessary. Keep records of expenses associated with an attack such as medical bills, lost wages, travel costs and any expenses associated with legal representation for compensation claims related to your injuries. This data can help establish how much compensation should be awarded as compensation for injuries suffered.
Dog bite wounds often become infected rapidly due to bacteria entering through puncture wounds created by dog bites, creating an entryway into the body through which bacteria can infiltrate quickly. Bite wounds tend to be more vulnerable to infections than cuts or scrapes as their pockets form beneath the skin that trap bacteria below its surface and keep spreading further afield.
If the dog that bit you is unvaccinated or an unaccompanied stray, they could potentially carry rabies. You will likely require a series of shots over two weeks in order to protect yourself and protect their health; your doctor may also ask about past vaccination history and current status of animal in question.
An animal bite can leave severe and disfiguring scarring that is disfiguring and incapacitating, interfering with work or participation in activities you enjoy; scars may even become permanent over time.
Immediately report any incident where you have been attacked by an aggressive dog to both local law enforcement and animal control agencies in order to deter further attacks, as well as file a suit against their owner for injuries suffered as a result of their bite. A successful lawsuit may help recover medical treatment expenses as well as lost income or pain and suffering caused by their attack.
Here is some information you should tell your personal injury attorney after a dog bite incident:
- The date, time, and location of the incident.
- The name and contact information of the dog’s owner.
- A description of the dog, including its breed, size, and color.
- A description of the incident, including what happened and who was involved.
- Your injuries, including the extent of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
- Your medical history, including any previous dog bites.
- Your financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs you have incurred as a result of the incident.
- Any witnesses to the incident.
- Any photographs or videos of the incident.
- Any police reports or animal control reports.
It is also important to be prepared to answer questions from your lawyer about your expectations for the case. Do you want to be compensated for your injuries? Are you also seeking punitive damages?
Your lawyer will use this information to assess the value of your case and determine the best course of action. They will also be able to advise you on your legal rights and options.
Here are some additional tips for talking to your personal injury attorney about a dog bite incident:
- Be as detailed as possible. The more information you can provide, the better your lawyer will be able to represent you.
- Be honest. Your lawyer needs to know the full story, even if it’s not pretty.
- Gather evidence. This includes things like police reports, medical records, and photographs of the bite wound.
- Keep track of your expenses. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs you’ve incurred as a result of the bite.
- Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer questions about your case. The more you understand, the better equipped you’ll be to make decisions about your case.
Remember, your lawyer is there to help you. They have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the legal process and get you the compensation you deserve. So be honest with them, answer their questions, and let them do their job.
Document the Incident
After being attacked by a dog, you should take prompt steps to document the event by taking photos of both your injuries and of the animal who bit you; additionally, gathering any evidence at the scene that might help prove damages if filing an insurance or personal injury lawsuit against its owner is appropriate. Documenting will strengthen any claim for compensation should an attack happen again later on.
At this stage, it is also important to take note of how an injury affects you physically, mentally and emotionally. Writing this down while the events are fresh in your memory is recommended; alternatively you could record a voice recording using your phone or another device.
If the owner is present, try to obtain his/her contact information and that of any witnesses who were at the scene. Also try and acquire information regarding their dog such as its name, address and vaccination history for use when consulting your doctor about whether you need a rabies vaccination.
Even if your wound doesn’t seem severe, seek medical assistance immediately to let a physician clean and protect the wound against infection. Also follow your physician’s directions regarding antibiotics; including how long to take the medicine as well as when to return to work.
Keep track of any out-of-pocket expenses associated with your recovery, such as prescription medicines, assistive devices and travel and lodging costs for medical care. If you are unable to work, track any lost wages that could help when seeking damages for loss of earning capacity.
Continue receiving medical care until your physician declares you to have reached maximum medical improvement, to ward off claims by dog owner’s insurance companies that your injuries haven’t healed completely and potentially reduce how much compensation is awarded for them.
Contact an Attorney in Mesa, Arizona
Be it personal injury claims or dog bite litigation, having an experienced attorney on your side is essential to building a solid case and receiving just compensation. An attorney will help build it with you from start to finish and can ensure all legal deadlines are met effectively and you receive what compensation is owed to you.
Take pictures of both your wounds and the scene of the attack if possible, as well as gathering contact info of any witnesses that may testify on your behalf in your dog bite case. Witness testimony is often essential when filing claims.
Most states have laws that hold pet owners responsible for injuries caused by their animals’ actions, which may result in medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering as well as additional damages. Depending on your state law, damages could include reimbursement of medical costs incurred as a result.
To be successful in a dog bite case, it’s necessary to prove that the defendant breached their responsibility of controlling their animal, which resulted in your injuries directly or proximally. This may prove difficult if the dog in question is known for attacking people or pets in its past.
Personal injury attorneys can assess legal liability of dog owners according to state laws, history and other factors. After helping prove the extent of losses sustained from them, these lawyers will work towards getting fair settlement from their insurance provider.
Attorneys will handle all communications about the incident from dog owner’s insurer and other parties so you can focus on recovering from your injuries without additional stress or legal requirements being fulfilled. This will also reduce stress for both yourself and family.
After being attacked by a serious dog, you will require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation for both physical and emotional injuries. Continue seeing your physician until he/she determines you have reached maximum medical improvement. It is also vitally important that you keep a journal recording how the attack has changed your life; this will aid your efforts at recovering noneconomic losses from damages claims that could take years to be resolved; start writing early!