They say dogs are the friendliest pets to have, and while that may be true, we all know they can be aggressive sometimes – even when they are playing. Data show that a vast majority of bites are by pet dogs and more than 4.7 million people (about twice the population of Kansas) fall victim to dog bites or attacks every year.
In addition to the above, statistics according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reveal that almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention. If you are one of them, you could be entitled to receive compensation for the outcome of such attacks.
If you have been bitten by a dog, taking the right course of action as soon as possible can save you medical, financial, and legal complications. It is essential to take the following steps:
You should get immediate medical attention if the dog bite is severe. Some dog attack injuries include broken bones, scars, severe disfigurement, laceration, bleeding, nerve damage, finger amputation, and emotional trauma.
In addition, getting bitten by a dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies can lead to a severe infection. At times, there is no way to verify if the dog is vaccinated; therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention right away.
Finding the owner of the dog makes it more likely for you to receive compensation for your injuries. As a victim, you must hold the dog’s owner responsible, so you do not end up paying the medical bills from your own pocket when the other party should be doing so.
If you do not know the dog’s owner, you should call animal control authorities immediately for assistance to determine if the dog has a microchip. Scanning the microchip for additional information may help in finding the responsible owner of the dog.
You should exchange contact information with the dog owner to easily reach them after the incident as needed. In addition to collecting their name and contact information, you should collect their address.
If any witnesses are present when the incident occurs, be sure to get their names and contact information, as this will help you if the need arises to file a lawsuit or receive an insurance claim. Eyewitnesses can help back up your side of the story.
Another smart thing to do after a dog bite incident is to gather evidence relating to the incident. It would help if you took pictures of the dog, your injuries, and anything else in the vicinity that can support your story. Alongside that, you should also document your injury – you can do so by writing down as much detail as you can remember about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Aside from running away from a dog or startling it, there are other ways dogs can be provoked, which could lead to an attack:
First, it is essential to know that dog bite liability laws differ from state to state. A state like California imposes strict liability on owners of dogs that bite someone. This implies that all you need to do is prove that you are a dog bite victim. You can do this by submitting the pictures and documentation you gathered.
On the other hand, California has a civil code law that protects non-dog owners from being liable in the event of a dog attack. This implies that the non-dog owner (i.e., a pet sitter) is not responsible for the dog’s negative actions if they have taken the necessary precautions to avoid a situation where the dog attacks or injures someone.
If the dog attacks someone, the owner must pay the damages, especially if the pet sitter has taken necessary measures to prevent the dog from harming others.
Dog bite attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced in several injury cases – including dog bites or attacks – and help victims fight to receive maximum financial compensation. They understand all the laws guiding dog bites in your state, no matter how complex it is.
The Los Angeles Dog bite attorneys at Golian Law Group will help you in the following ways:
Contacting Golian Law Group when you want to raise a dog bite insurance claim means that you will be getting the best outcome possible and fair compensation for your injuries, downtime, or pain. Visit here for Rideshare Accident Lawyer