While there may be many instances of dog bites, many of those injured do not report the accident out of concern for the dog and the owner. Most people do not want to punish the dog and cause the animal to be put down. Authorities in California only require euthanasia after a dog attack if the animal has rabies, if the injuries were severe, if the dog has bitten two other individuals, or if they were trained to fight and attack people. Before ordering euthanasia, there must be a court hearing unless the dog has rabies.
For the most part, many less severe dog bite accidents do not involve punishing the dog. Instead, it seeks to punish the owner for any bites inflicted by their dog. There are many reasons why reporting a dog bite is vital to you and your community. Not only does a report notify proper agencies to create a physical record of the bite, but it also allows authorities to track the aggressive behaviors and intervene if others are in danger. Reporting a dog bite might also protect vulnerable children and senior citizens from an untrained and violent animal. If an aggressive dog bites you, contact a California dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
5 Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in California
Your automatic reaction to a dog bite might be to brush it off or assure the person that you are fine, but that can be extremely dangerous if the bite causes severe injuries and other damages. Depending on the dog and the area of the bite, you could suffer injuries that significantly affect your life. Follow the below steps after you suffer injuries from a dog bite in California:
Get Medical Care
Your number one priority should be your health and safety. After suffering a dog bite, clean the injury and seek immediate medical treatment. Many injuries can become infected, bleed excessively, or scar without the proper treatment, so it is vital that you have your wounds examined by a doctor immediately following the bite.
Exchange Information
Like with any personal injury case, it is critical that you exchange information with the dog’s owner. This will help your lawyer gather information and talk with the defendant about your dog bite claim. You will want to collect their name, phone number, insurance, type of dog, and any other relevant information like whether it was on a leash at the time.
Look For Witnesses and Evidence
If anyone watched the event or happened to record the attack, you will also want to get their information and possibly the video as well. Pictures of the surrounding area and your injuries can also be vital to your dog bite claim.
Contact Animal Control
Reporting the incident to your local animal control center and public health department will allow the authorities to properly document the aggressive behavior and have the danger on file if something happens in the future. It will also help to prove basic factual information like the circumstances that led to and the location of the incident.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Reporting your dog bite and going through the legal personal injury process can be stressful for those unfamiliar with the law. With the help of a lawyer with experience working on dog bite claims, you will receive guidance and honest advice for your case.
When you are dealing with medical fees and other financial losses because of a dog bite, talking with a lawyer can give you the reassurance you need. As soon as you are able, contact a dog bite lawyer and discuss the details of your case.
Speak with Younglove Law Group for an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in California
Our Younglove Law Group dog bite accident lawyers have years of experience protecting clients’ rights across California. We understand that a dog bite can come with many challenges and that each case is unique. Our legal services are tailored to your needs and focus on the client’s interests. After gathering reliable resources and tools, you can count on our team to do everything in our power to advocate for your case. Our main goal is to make sure you have the legal representation you deserve and that you feel comfortable and confident in your case.
Learn more about our services and schedule a free consultation by calling (949) 691-3660 or filling out our contact form today.
