6 Steps to Take After a Dog Bites You
When most people see a dog, their first instinct is to go up and pet it, but being bitten by a dog is a real risk. While a dog may look friendly, the truth is that they are animals and may be unpredictable. There are a reported 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year, 800,000 of which result in the victim needing medical care. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you may want to partner with an experienced dog bite lawyer to help with your claim.
Younglove Law Group is a team of award-winning dog bite injury attorneys with experience helping victims build a strong injury claim. If a dog bite does occur, there are six steps to take afterward to help ensure your safety and well-being.
What to Do After a Dog Bites You in Riverside
A dog bite may be as unpredictable as the animal itself, and dog bite injuries can be severe. While you can never be fully prepared for an incident like this to happen to you, knowing what you should do in the moments following the bite may be beneficial to your health and safety.
Seek Medical Attention
After a dog bites you, you should seek immediate medical attention if needed. If the bite is severe, you may need to visit the emergency room for immediate care. Of course, if a dog nips at you and does not break the skin, you may not need to see a doctor, but if the skin has been broken, especially if you are losing a lot of blood, you should. Dogs may have certain bacteria in their mouths that can cause an infection, and a deep enough bite may cause permanent damage if not treated.
Administer First Aid
Administering first aid is a crucial step in treating a dog bite. The severity of the bite determines the type of first aid you will need to administer. If your skin was broken before being bitten by the dog, wash the bitten area with warm water and clean any residue with soap. Press lightly on the injury to release a tiny amount of blood from the affected area and flush out any germs. If your skin was healthy before being bitten by the dog, clean it with warm water and soap. If you have antibacterial lotion nearby, apply it to the affected area as a precaution. If the wound is severe, it may actively bleed. Lightly press down on the wound with a clean cloth to stop blood flow. Before covering up the wound with a sterile bandage, follow up with a generous application of antibacterial lotion.
Get Information on the Dog
Finding out information about the dog that bit you is essential. You should also ask for the dog’s vaccination history to ensure it is up to date on its shots. You should find out whose dog it is, if possible, and if it is up to date on its shots and vaccinations. Knowing information on the dog that bit you may help determine fault for your claim.
Talk to Witnesses
As with any accident, you should let witnesses approach you rather than the other way around. If witnesses approach, ask them if they would be comfortable providing you with a statement or their contact information. Being able to provide a witness’s version of events may be helpful to your injury claim.
Get Information from the Dog’s Owner
If you can identify who the dog owner is, you will want to obtain their information. You should get their name, contact information, and insurance provider to ensure you can properly file your injury claim.
Document the Incident
Documenting the incident is essential in case you need to file a report or seek compensation for your injuries. Take photos of the wound, the location where the incident occurred, and any torn or bloody clothing. Make sure to get the dog’s owner’s name, contact information, and the dog’s vaccination history. If the dog is a stray, try to gather as much information as possible about the dog’s appearance, size, and breed. Keep a record of any medical treatment you receive, including dates, times, and details of the treatment. Also, keep track of any expenses related to the incident, such as medical bills and lost wages.
File a Report with Animal Control
Filing a report with animal control is an important step in ensuring that the dog is properly identified and that the owner is held responsible for the incident. Contact your local animal control agency and provide them with as much information as possible about the incident, including the dog’s description, the location where the incident occurred, and the owner’s contact information. If the dog is a stray, provide as much information as possible about the dog’s appearance and any identifying features. The animal control agency will investigate the incident and may take action against the dog’s owner if necessary.
Follow Doctor’s Orders
If you have to get medical help for your dog bite injury, you should follow all orders given to you by the doctor who helped you. This includes taking any medication prescribed to you, limiting the use of the affected area where you were bitten, and any cleaning or care of the wound.
Do Not Discuss Details with the Owner
Handling an accident in which another person’s pet bit you can be an emotional situation. People are protective of their pets, so you should not accuse the owner of being at fault. You should try to limit the details you discuss with the owner and leave it to your experienced dog bite injury lawyer to handle.
California Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help
After being bit by a dog that leaves you with an injury, you may be entitled to collecting damages for the losses you suffered as a result. Taking legal action can also help prevent the same dog from causing harm to others in the future. Partnering with an experienced dog bite injury attorney will help you build a stronger injury claim.
Younglove Law Group is an award-winning California dog bite injury firm. Our legal team is proud to provide each of our clients with award-winning, personalized care. For a free case review, contact us here or call (949) 691-3660.
