Dogs are cute animals. If you are a dog lover and have a dog pet of your own, you will understand where I am coming from. Dogs are different than human beings; if you treat them well, they will treat you well as well.
According to a recent study made by AVMA, more than 67% of house owners have pets in their household. That means things related to pets can be on a major scale, especially when a dog bites another person.
Recently, there has been a rise in dog bite cases in America. According to the CDC, more than 4.5 million dog bites cases are recorded every year, of which 800,000 cases need medical attention.
In fact, some cases even find their way into the courtroom. A San Jose personal injury lawyer has claimed that dog bite cases have become common in modern society.
With that said, we come to our original main topic that this article will be all about. Today I will discuss with you all what to do after getting injured by a dog bite.
What Should You Do After A Dog Bite?
There are several types of dog bites; some are accidents while some are caused by negligence. Most of the accidents that we see in the courtroom are caused due to negligence. Here are the steps that you need to take after getting injured by a dog bite.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Dog bite wounds can be very serious; if not taken care of immediately, they can cause infection, making the wound more severe. Hence, no matter how small or a big wound is, seek medical attention immediately to secure your wound.
Early treatment will ensure that you are not infected by rabies or any other bacterial infection. Be sure to show even a small scratch of the wound.
2. Follow Your Doctor’s Words
Dog bites are infectious. Hence, listen to what your doctor has to say about the wound and its treatment. Your recovery will directly depend on how you follow your doctor’s words.
Furthermore, you need to take the antibiotics for an extended period to ensure that there are no residue germs inside your body.
3. Report The Accident To Animal Control
Once you have secured your safety from the dog bite, the next important thing is to report the attack to the respecting authorities. America has an institution that investigates such attacks. This is an important activity. Hence, you must report it to ensure there are no other victims.
Furthermore, this report will help you identify the proper responsible party. This can really help you get compensation for personal injuries.
4. Document The Wound & Identify The Witnesses
The report I have talked about earlier acts as an important document in your case. In addition to that, you must look for eyewitnesses that have been on the scene and have watched the whole thing with their eyes.
In addition to that, you can take pictures of your injuries and the dog that inflicted that injury upon you and other evidence that you might feel can help;p you with the lawsuit.
5. Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
The final thing is to hire a personal injury attorney to ensure that you get the true value of your injury claims. Remember, not all lawyers handle dog bite cases. So, before you hire them, talk with them and ask the necessary question that will help you find the right lawyers for your case. The right injury lawyer will be prompt to help you solve things immediately or at least as soon as possible.
Take Away
Dog bites happen all the time. You must ensure first whether it was due to negligence or an accident. If you ever come across such a scenario where you know you might have to deal with the injury’s compensation in the courtroom, hire a personal injury attorney. They will help you know your rights as a claimant and represent your case in the courtroom.