While any dog may bite if it is provoked or is not well trained and restrained, there is still a great deal of liability with dog bites. Every year, there are millions of dog bites in the United States. A great deal of these bites lead to emergency care. If you have been bitten by a dog, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause significant pain. Even bites that are less painful can still have long term consequences. Some typical dog bite injuries are:
- Blood problems, such as hematoma
- Dislocated bones
- Fracture of limbs
- Infection
- Puncture wounds
- Scarring
In the most serious instances, some people have needed to get their limbs amputated due to the spread of infection. In addition, bites by more aggressive breeds or bites in more vulnerable people such as children or elderly people have resulted in death. Many people experience serious emotional distress after a dog bite, which is understandable.
I’ve been injured, what do I do now?
The most important steps that you should take to recover any damages and to assure maximum compensation are to seek medical attention and identify the dog. After a dog bite, do what you can to find out who owns the dog so that you can seek information on vaccines and if you need to be tested for rabies. Even if the bite appears to be a superficial injury, dog bites can still cause a lot of damage in the long run. Take pictures of the injuries as soon as possible, and keep all medical documentation on hand. Your dog bite injury lawyer can use all this information to pursue your dog bite claim.
Find a Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bites are dangerous, and dog bite laws can be difficult to navigate. In order to get compensation that you may be entitled to, please get in touch with an experienced dog bite injury claims attorney. Your attorney can help you navigate state laws and figure out what to do next.