What to Do when a Dog Bites You!

Are you afraid of dogs and being bitten by them? Well, you are not alone.

Dog bites are very common cause of injuries in not only children but also adults. Dog bites can cause serious consequences from psychological trauma or permanent deformity. And the worst consequence of a dog bite is death.

It is eerie in a way to say that dog bites are a nightmare coming from what is supposed to be a man’s best friend.

There is actually a dog bite epidemic in the United States. Dogs bite almost 5 million or 2% of the country’s population, annually. Most of the victims are children, often bitten in the face.

From this number, 800,000 are in need of medical attention. Meanwhile, 1,000 each day need to undergo treatment in emergency rooms. Sadly, 15 to 20 die from dog bite injuries and complications, annually.

This number just goes to show that no one is securely protected from sudden dog attacks.

However, there are ways to prevent being bitten by a dog. First, remember that there is no such thing as a dog that does not bite.

Pet dogs are still dogs that would most possibly bite. It is better to keep distance and exercise great care when dealing with dogs, your pet or otherwise. Do not be among those who became victims of pet dog attacks.

Experts and medical practitioners have provided many lists of precautionary measures on how to deal with dogs and avoid being bitten.

However, if you still managed to be bitten by a dog, then here is some information regarding your legal rights to recover damages.

1. First is to identify the dog. You must find out if the dog has rabies. Nevertheless, you should get medical attention, immediately and be shot with anti-rabies vaccines.

2. Immediately after the dog bite attack, report the incident to the authorities. They can help in investigating the circumstances of the dog bite. Their report would help in establishing the incident.

3. Avoid getting into an argument with the owner of the dog. Remember that many owners dote on their pets and would not believe anything negative about them. Understand that it may be hard for them to accept that their dog can bite even without severe provocation.

4. Avoid signing in any papers or making statements that can be recorded. You might be persuaded by the dog owner, property owner or insurance company to do these things. Their primary goal is to avoid liabilities for your dog bite injuries. Be sure to consult a personal injury lawyer to assist you even before meeting up with the people mentioned above.

5. Seek the assistance of a reliable and experienced lawyer to help you get back the financial, emotional and psychological effects/losses you suffered because of the incident.

An insurance company might offer you payment but before accepting anything, having a lawyer you can trust to review, the proposed settlement is still advisable. He will also know the legal implications if the dog owner denies liability for your injuries.

Every state has different laws regarding dog bite attacks. It is but important to engage the services of a lawyer with expertise on the dog bite laws in your specific state. It would also help you to check your state's law for information on dog bites, yourself.