If a Dog Attacked You, Here are the Steps you Should Follow 

In the United States, about 800,000 people seek medical attention after getting bit by a dog. Considering that many more people who get bit by a dog don’t seek medical attention, this number could actually be a lot bigger than it is.

If you have been attacked by a dog, you need to follow a few important steps to ensure that you have a better chance of proving your case probable in court. Not only that but you should be following the steps to make sure that you are safe and healthy after the attack.

Ready to learn what steps you should take after a dog attack? Keep reading!

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

If you get attacked by a dog, the first thing that you have to do is seek medical attention. Although you may be concerned about everything else at the moment, your health should be your biggest concern at the moment.

If you feel that your dog’s attack wasn’t that bad, you should still seek medical attention. This is to ensure that the dog bite wound is properly cleaned because if it is not, you could get an infection. This is the last thing you want to happen!

 You also may want to ensure that the wound is properly taken care of – even if you do not think that you need stitches, you may need them. It is better to be safe than sorry in this case.

This is especially true because staphylococcus bacteria can sometimes entire the wound. If this happens and goes left untreated, this can be fatal. Not only that, but some dogs can carry rabies which can also cause you to get very sick.

Hire a Lawyer

If you were attacked by a dog, you need to find a dog bite lawyer. These are not easy to come by as not every lawyer specializes in dog attacks. However, a dog bite lawyer in Reno, NV can determine and tell you the exact steps you should be taking in this instance. By hiring them and learning more about the situation, you’ll be in a better place than without them.

They know the laws of the local area and what needs to happen from the time of the bite (after you seek medical attention, of course) to the point of filing a lawsuit and beyond.

Identify Any Witnesses

After a dog attack, if you notice anyone else in the area, you need to seek them out. You need to have a few witnesses to prove to the jury what happened to make winning in court more probable.

You should get the names, addresses, and phone numbers to have if you need to contact them down the road. You want to keep this information as it can make or break your case in court.

If the owner of the dog was a witness, it is important to take down all of their information as well. If they have homeowner’s insurance, you should grab that information from them if they are willing to talk to you. Many of these policies will cover medical bills relating to a dog attack, so it is a great place to start. However, do not have any monetary conversations with them before you talk to your lawyer.

Document the Wound from Start to Healing

It is important to take pictures and document the wound after it happens. If there is no way to prove what happened, having a picture of the situation is vital. The photographs documenting the injuries throughout the healing process can show exactly what the dog attack was like and the steps that the court should be taking for the specific incident.

Be sure to keep these for your records. It may be best to put them in a safe file or even email them to yourself so that you do not lose them.

Report the Incident to Animal Control Services

After you get attacked by a dog, It is important to report it to your for animal control. Some cities and counties even require that any person that has an attack by a dog has to report it to the authorities.

Once you report it, the department knows who to report the incident to. Once this happens, animal control conducts an investigation into the situation to see if the animal is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially rabies. There will be a full report to point to the responsible party that you can then submit to your lawyer if you choose to do so.

If the dog is not up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, it is important to immediately go to the hospital. There they will help you take care of the wound and give you every medical need that they feel is necessary.

If animal control does not report it quickly or do what they are supposed to do fast enough, you were able to take it into your own hands to declare the dog to be dangerous on your own.

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack

If you have been attacked by a dog, you are not alone. There are many people that have been through this situation before. However, it is important to take the right steps after a dog attack for your own safety as well as to get the justice and compensation that you deserve.

There is no right order of steps, however, going to see a doctor should be one of your first steps. You want to make sure that you are healthy and safe from the dog bite. Once you know that you are safe, you can then start taking the other steps. You do not want to wait too long before you contact a lawyer if you want the case to rule in your favor.

Did you feel that these tips are helpful for you moving forward? If so, you should check out other blog posts on our site. We have a lot of helpful tips about various aspects of life!