(235+)Being the victim of a dog bite attack is a painful and often harrowing experience. What once you may have thought was an innocent dog walking on your neighbor’s property or a quaint little dog walking with its owner down the street, can turn out to be the cause for pain, disfigurement, or expensive medical bills. Many people don’t like to believe that dogs attack their owners, family, friends, or other people, but some of the time they do. In fact, back in 2011, there were almost 35 fatal dog attacks that occurred in the United Sates!
Therefore, what are some things that you should do if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being the victim of a dog attack? Well, the first thing that you should do is identify the dog and who owns it. Secondly, and probably the most important step is to seek immediate medical attention—especially if the bite is severe. There is a high risk of infection after a dog bite, so it is essential that you get emergency care if the bite is severe.
After you have had your wounds treated it is important that you file a “bite report.” This will document your case, and it will inform the authorities about the dog if it happens to claim another victim. After the initial report is filed it is also important to get in touch with a dog bite lawyer because many victims will be able to receive compensation from the owner of the dog. Also, a good dog bite lawyer will have your best interests in mind, and he or she will work hard to prove that you were not the one that instigated the dog to attack.
Dog bite law is difficult to understand, so it is necessary to have a lawyer that understands the ins and outs of the law. For more information on what to do if you have been the victim of a dog attack you can contact Gibbons & Crichton, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers, for a free initial consultation on your dog bit case.
