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What To Do After Suffering a Dog Bite

After being bitten by a dog, the trauma that a victim might suffer can be devastating. From minor cuts and abrasions to major lacerations and damage, the physical impacts can be significant. Additionally, the emotional damage from a dog bite can last much longer than physical wounds and require therapy and treatments. Dog bites are one of the most common forms of animal attacks since many homes have family dogs. Injuries from a dog bite can have long-term consequences and could even result in death or dismemberment.

Over 4 million dog bites occur annually in the United States, and about 800,000 of them require medical attention. Many biting incidents occur as a result of an encounter with a dog the person doesn’t know. Many other biting incidents, however, occur by neighborhood dogs. When an animal attacks, it is usually due to some negligence on the dog owner’s part. Usually, the dog was let out or was put in a situation where an incident was inevitable.

If you are the victim of a dog bite, there are several steps that you will need to take both immediately and in the future. Once any medical emergencies are taken care of, you might even consider contacting a dog bite attorney for a free consultation. Let’s take a look at some things that you should do after suffering a dog bite.

Seek medical attention

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If you are a loved one has suffered a dog bite, the first thing that you need to do is to assess the wounds. Dogs can have powerful bites that can cause function wounds, rips, or tears in the skin. If the skin has been broken or there is blood present, you will need to seek prompt medical attention. Even if it appears that the injury isn’t very serious, it is a good idea to have it looked at as dog bite wounds can become infected quickly. Additionally, there could be issues arising from unvaccinated dogs, and you might need medical care to be protected from rabies or other serious illnesses and infections.

Obtain contact information

If you or your family members can speak with the dog’s owner or handler, you will want to get contact. Try and get the person’s full name, phone number, and address as soon as possible. This will allow medical professionals and veterinarians to verify the animal’s medical history and vaccination status. If there were any witnesses, you would want to get their contact information as well. Witnesses will be important in establishing that you or your loved one had the lawful right to be in a specific location and that the dog was not provoked.

File a police report

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Even if you weren’t seriously injured, it is good to call the police and file a report. Dog bite laws vary by state and require that certain conditions and actions take place to establish liability. If you experience injuries later or suffer lasting damages, you’ll want to have all of your bases covered if you need to revisit the issue. Additionally, if you plan to contact a lawsuit attorney or take legal action, you will want to have a documented report on file.

Contact an attorney

A dog attack can cause serious injuries, both physical and mental. You might face significant medical and therapy bills to help you recover fully from the attack. If this is the case, you might need to contact an attorney to help you get compensation. An attorney with dog bite experience can help you establish fault, assess your injuries, and pursue a claim on your behalf.

Dog bites can inflict serious immediate, and lasting damage. If you are the victim of a dog bite, you will want to get treated as soon as possible and then assess your needs for any help or compensation.


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