The sudden and often traumatic nature of a dog bite can leave victims shaken. Dog attacks range from minor to severe, the latter of which can lead to a small pile of medical bills, especially if the injury leads to infection. In the event of a dog bite, be sure to follow these tips.
- Seek Medical Care Immediately
- Gather Names and Addresses of Witnesses
- Document the Injury
- Get a Lawyer
First things first, get medical care for your injuries. If left unattended, dog bite injuries can lead to infection, or worse, death. Your immediate priority is to go to the hospital right away, especially if the victim is a child. Your physician will want to control infection and vaccinate for rabies.
A dog attack can happen in several scenarios. For example, you might have a neighbor with a loose dog that attacked you. A stranger may also own the dog, which escaped from the leash, attacking you. In this case, it’s important to get the owner’s contact information, which will prove crucial when seeking damages.
Take pictures of the bite and be sure to keep records of the medical and police report. Written reports will be your most powerful tool when seeking damages for the dog attack.
A lawyer’s legal advice will be of great assistance for victims of dog attacks. A lawyer will know how to negotiate with insurance companies, as well as how to catalogue your injuries, medical expenses, and lost income due to being away from work. If you or anyone you know is a dog bite victim in San Antonio, talk to an experienced San Antonio dog bite attorney at Barrus Injury Lawyers. Call us today at (210) 593-8709 to schedule a FREE consultation.