4 Top Tips On Handling a Dog Bite Injury
To many, dogs are man’s best friend, and as loveable as dogs can be, they are still temperamental animals that can act out of turn sometimes. Being bitten by a dog can be a very distressing experience, and in the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to know what to do and how to handle the situation.
Although it is a relatively rare incident, if you do find that either you or a loved one is the victim of a dog bite, there are a few steps you should follow to ensure that the incident is dealt with in the proper manner. Much of how you handle the incident will depend on the situation and the severity of the dog bite. Here are some general tips on handling a dog bite injury that may assist you in the aftermath of an incident:
Suggestions for Handling a Dog Bite Injury
Get the Owner’s Contact Details and Document the Scene
Despite the fact that you may be traumatized immediately after the dog bite has occurred, it is important that you get the dog owner’s contact details if possible. This information will be essential should you need to seek compensation. Try to get their name, address, telephone, and email address as a bare minimum. Asking them where they work would provide an additional level of security. If you have a phone on-hand, try to get a picture of the dog and the scene of the incident. All of this evidence may be useful for legal proceedings further down the line.
Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of how minor a dog bite may seem, it is important to be seen by a medical professional. They will advise you on whether you need to take antibiotics or possibly receive rabies injections. You should also ask the dog owner to verify the dog’s vaccinations are all up to date. Keep track of any medical bills incurred, as you may be able to recover these costs in compensation from the dog owner.
Report the Incident
The next thing you should do is file a police report. While the law surrounding dog bites will vary from one state to the next, it is important that the incident is properly reported to prevent it from happening again in the future. The police may follow up with the dog owner to ensure that they are taking the necessary precautions to improve the dogs’ behavior. In addition to speaking with the police, it is wise to make contact with your local animal control authority, as they often have a role to play in determining if the dog is deemed dangerous.
Get Legal Support
As laws surrounding dog bites vary depending on the state, you should contact a specialist lawyer that works with such cases in the animal injury practice area and can give you the necessary information about your legal rights. For example, if you are based in Georgia, the attorneys at gtakg.com have the expertise to navigate the legal complexities of your case. Hiring a specialist dog bite injury lawyer will ensure your interests are protected, and you receive the best possible settlement.
Most domesticated dogs are harmless, but they are still unpredictable and have the potential to cause harm if they aren’t properly taken care of and trained. If you do find yourself the victim of a dog bite, following the correct course of action is crucial, not only to ensure you receive the necessary compensation for your injuries but also to hold the owner accountable and to limit the chances of it happening again.
