Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They provide us with unconditional love, no judgment, and plenty of companionship. But, even calm dogs can have a moment of weakness and bite someone. Whether you are a dog lover or not, being bitten by a dog could change your opinion of them in an instant. Our dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles would like to share the steps to take following a dog bite attack.
The minute you are attacked by a dog you should seek medical care. Don’t wait until you develop an infection in the wound to go to the hospital or see your doctor. You need to document your injuries as soon as possible following the attack so they are fresh in all of the pictures. If the injuries are serious enough you should call 911 to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. If not, simply go visit your family physician for treatment.
When you have time you need to gather information from the dog’s owner. This includes the owner’s name, phone number, and address. You should also ask the owner of the dog who has been vaccinated recently. This is just like the moments following a car crash, except that you will want to ask for the dog’s veterinary contact information too.
It might not be out of the realm of possibility to collect insurance information from the dog’s owner. The owner might have coverage for their dog under their homeowner’s policy or even through a pet insurance policy. If so, ask about the insurance company and the contact information so you can file a claim.
Did anyone witness the attack on you by the dog? If so, speak with them soon after the incident so it is fresh in their mind. This will help you put a timeline of the incident together that can be used when speaking with your attorney. When speaking with the witnesses you need to obtain their contact information too. You will want to be able to get a hold of them when your lawyer needs to obtain a statement about the attack.
Whether you know the dog and its owner or not you should always file a report with animal control after a dog bite attack. Reporting the attack on animal control will not result in the dog being taken away from its owner. It helps to prevent future dog attacks. The animal control agency closest to you will conduct its own investigation into the attack, which could wind up helping your legal case.
Make sure you adhere to the doctor’s orders regarding treatment, therapy, medication, rest and anything else prescribed. If you veer away from the orders given by the doctor you could risk your chance of receiving compensation for your injuries.
Were you bitten by a dog while going for a walk around Los Angeles? If so, it’s in your best interest to contact our Los Angeles dog attack attorney to discuss your injuries. Contact the office at 310-997-0904 to schedule an appointment.