As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.7 million cases of dog bites are reported in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites require professional medical care. This means that every 1 in 70 people is bitten by a dog every year.

In the US, dog owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their pets don’t injure people, otherwise, they will have to compensate the victim for medical expenses, time lost from work, and pain and suffering.

It’s critical to know what steps you should take after a dog bite for your safety as well as legal action that you might take to obtain compensation for your sufferings.

Let’s get started!  

What to do if you’re bitten by a dog?

Seek immediate medical care

That goes without saying, but first and foremost, you should immediately seek medical care for your injuries, particularly for serious injuries such as puncture wounds. If the dog wasn’t vaccinated against rabies, the injuries can lead to infection.

If you have your phone, try to capture a picture before the wound is treated to document the injury. This will help you show the severity of your injury beyond doubt in the court when the damages are being determined by the court.

Exchange information with the dog owner

It’s important to exchange information with the owner of the dog or caretaker so they can easily be contacted after the accident. This isn’t only important for filing a claim but also helps to verify the history of the dog’s vaccination, which can be crucial for your medical treatment.

The information should include the name, address, and contact details. Unfortunately, you cannot file a claim if a stray dog bites you. The dog has to have an identifiable owner to sue for compensation.

Take contact details from witnesses (if any)

If there were people around who witnessed the dog bite, ask them to provide their contact information so they can testify if there’s a need for a lawsuit or an insurance claim. Their testimony is valued because they can provide precise details about what happened.

Inform animal control agency

Contact your local animal control agency, explain your situation and file a report. This will help prevent future dog bites, saving other people from going through the same pain and suffering.

Moreover, they might also open an investigation into the incident, which may help your own case. This is particularly important if the dog wasn't wearing a license tag and the owner cannot be identified.

How to obtain compensation?  

If you’ve sustained injuries by someone else’s dog, it’s important to get the services of a personal injury attorney to learn how local laws apply in your case and how best to proceed with your legal claim.

Having legal representation on your side will help you understand the outcome you deserve. Your lawyer will formulate a strong case to increase your chances of a successful personal injury lawsuit.

If you or a loved one is bitten by a dog, get in touch with the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at the Estes Law Firm today! It’s a top personal injury law firm Richmond with skilled lawyers that can help you to obtain rightful compensation for lost income, pain, and suffering, among other expenses.