According to annual reports, over 4.7 million dog bites happen each year in the U.S. alone. Children do fall victims in these tragedies. The focus more often goes to the medical bills than the physical and emotional scars that people get as a result of some irresponsible dog owners around us. In many cases, victims are unsure on the path they can follow to get compensation. Herein is a step by step guide to hiring a lawyer after a dog bites you;
Identify The Owner Of The Dog
This is the first thing you need to do before anything else. You need to obtain details from them and also never forget to request proof of rabies vaccination. This information will help you avoid undergoing tests which can turn to be very costly.
Seek Medical Care
You need to contact first responders for immediate medical attention depending upon the severity of the damages that you were left with. You can also consider asking someone to drive you to nearby hospital. It’s important that you seek care from a specialist for injuries since risks of infection from a dog bite are too great to be ignored.
Filling a Report
It is now time to start filing report to the authorities even if you received a minor injury. It is important to document everything and also this may help people who could get bitten by the same dog in the future. It’s normal that authorities will effectively enforce with a paper trail.
Try To Gather As Much Information as Possible
After identifying the dog owners, you aren’t done yet. Try to find out more about the dog. Go the extra mile to obtain the dog’s license information as well as any other records that pertain to the past history of this dog. Through this you will identify whether the dog has attacked or bitten someone else or even another animal in the past.
Photograph Your Injuries
This is something you should never forget. You need to take photos of the injuries you received. Try and do this before and after you get treatment. Take photos of all wounds including bruises and also make sure not to leave any torn or bloody clothing at the place you were bitten.
Hire a Lawyer
Many people get overwhelmed with the procedures and processes when filing a lawsuit. If this is the case, hiring a lawyer can be the right thing to consider. To find someone to represent you, you need to seek a referral from your local or state bar association. In case you lack money to pay a lawyer to represent you, you can consider meeting one for consultation. During the consultation time, you will have an opportunity to ask them any questions on your mind. Dog bite legal issues are complex and you need to contact a personal injury lawyer to help you. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney will play a role towards the success of your case.
