Dogs are man’s best friend, or that’s how the saying goes. According to the ASPCA, there are around 70 to 80 million dogs that live in households throughout the United States. (ASPCA) For the most part, these four-legged friends are sweet, loving, and loyal. However, there are cases of dog bites that occur every year. Dogs may bite for a variety of different reasons. They may be aggressive on their own. They may be provoked. They may think they are protecting their owner. They may bite someone who is trying to break up a fight. In any case, if you are the victim of a dog bite, then you may have a legal case against the owner of the animal.
If you have been bitten by a dog, you will need to seek medical treatment, but there a few things you will need to do, as well, in order to ensure you have the information you need for a legal case. You will need to hire a Maryland personal injury attorney to represent you too. Here are the steps you need to take as soon as the dog bite occurs.
Take Pictures
If you can, take pictures of the dog that bit you as well as your injuries. The more documentation, the better. If you aren’t able to get pictures of the dog, then write down what it looked like, the color of it, what breed it was, if identifiable, its size, and any other distinguishing characteristics.
Get Information from the Dog Owner
Of course, if you plan on pursuing a personal injury case, then you will need to know how to contact the dog owner. This means you need their name, address, telephone number, and any other pertinent details that can help you and your attorney.
Call the Police
If the injury is serious, then you will definitely want to call 911. Otherwise, it is still a good idea to contact the police so that they can write a report on the situation. You may also need to report the dog bite to animal control.
Get Medical Attention
Even if the dog bite is minor, you should seek medical attention. There are concerns that your doctor will need to cover, including the possibility of rabies. Even minor dog bites could lead to infection, so you need to ensure your injury is properly looked after, as soon as possible.
Dog bites don’t happen that often, but when they do, you may need to pursue a personal injury case if you didn’t provoke the dog or trespass on private property. If you have been bitten by a dog, your first steps should involve the above. That way, you will have the best chance of making a solid case for your injuries. Make sure, then, that you seek the services of a qualified personal injury attorney in Baltimore who has experience with dog bites specifically. This way, you can ensure you are compensated for your injuries as well as for any emotional duress you may have suffered due to the attack.
