Dog bites are more common than one anticipates. Thousands of people are beaten by dogs monthly, around the globe. While some bites are minor some can lead to serious injuries and emotional trauma, and one must deal with the legal landscape to deal with them. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, then you’d know how tiring navigating the legal landscape is. There are some steps that you should take to deal with dog bites effectively.
Seek Medical Attention
After any incident, your health and safety should be the priority. Even if you think your injuries are nonexistent you should still get them checked by a health professional. Tell them about the circumstances and how you get bitten and if you get any first aid or not. Keep the medical receipts and documentation safe as they can be used as evidence later.
Gather Evidence
If possible, document the incident as soon as possible. Take the picture of the dog, its owner and the injury and its healing process. Try to get contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses, if possible.
Understanding Dog Laws
Like all laws, dog laws vary from state to state. In many states, dog owners can be held liable for the injuries that someone received due to their dogs, but there are some exceptions, in which dog owners are not found liable for the injuries that someone received due to their dog.
Consider you Legal Options
Depending on the injuries and their severity you may need to file a claim against the dog owner. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate through the legal maze and deal with the legal landscape on your behalf. A lawyer can help you investigate the incident, negotiate with the dog owner, represent you in court and help you understand the value of your claim.
Settling Vs Trial
Most dog bites cases are settled outside of the court between both parties and insurance companies. This is rather less stressing way then the trial one. However, if the insurance company offers a less compensation amount, then you can consider going to the court for fair compensation.
Emotional Toll of Dog bites
Dog bites can be very emotionally traumatic for everyone, especially children and elderly people. You may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. A lawyer can help you document the emotional impact of the bite and make sure it’s well deserving.
Dog bites can be very life altering experience by understanding your legal rights and taking the effective steps to protect yourself you can ensure that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve for your injuries and the emotional stress you faced. You must remember that consulting with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to deal with any legal matter and one can’t get through the legal landscape without the help of a legal professional.
If you or someone you know need any type of legal help, then call now for a free consultation (718) 414-6642.
How to Deal with Dog Bites? 
