What to Do After a Dog Bite

If you or your loved one has been bitten by a dog, you are probably experiencing a range of emotions; including fear, uncertainty, anger. You may be so overwhelmed you are unsure of what the next step is. We can help.

What to do after a dog bite in Woodland Hills

Immediately after a dog bite:

1. Call for medical help. This is especially important if the dog that bit you was a stranger and you do not know if it may be carrying a disease, such as rabies.
2. Obtain witness contact info. This includes the name and address of the dog owner, anyone who had custody of the dog when it bit you, and any witnesses who observed the attack.
3. Take photographs of the wounds.
4. Report the incident to animal control.
5. Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer. Discuss their track record handling dog bite cases.

As with any type of personal injury accident, photographs are key. Be sure to document your dog bite accident from beginning to end. Take pictures of any wounds, both before and after treatment, with before treatment being key. Without photographic evidence to prove that the dog bit you and caused you harm, it can become a “he said, she said” game. Do not give the owner a chance to deny liability.

Need another reason to seek medical attention? Not only can dog bites cause physical scarring and emotional trauma, left untreated, they can lead to infections with serious long-term consequences. Emergency rooms in Woodland Hills are prepared to treat dog bites. In fact, over 1,000 Americans arrive in emergency rooms every day of the year because of dog bites alone! If you or your loved one are wounded on or near the face, insist on treatment by a plastic surgeon.

What not to do after a dog bite accident

After a dog bite accident involving injury to you or a loved one, there are several things NOT to do in order to preserve your personal injury claim. It is quite common for the insurance company representing the dog owner to contact you. Remember, insurance companies are generally not on your side. Refer the insurance company to your dog bite accident lawyer. Do not, at any point during the process:

• Discuss money with the dog owner or their insurance provider
• Write a letter (this includes text messages and email) to the dog owner or the insurance provider
• Permit yourself to be tape recorded
• Allow the victim to be photographed
• Discuss who is responsible
• Accept any money from the dog owner or his/her insurance provider

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in a serious dog bite attack, the law is on your side. Contact experienced Woodland Hills dog bite accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today to discuss your legal rights and potential for financial recovery.