It is really important to be aware of the fact that simply because you were bitten by someone’s dog does not mean a personal injury claim is possible. There are exact laws that have to be respected and it is highly recommended that you contact dog bite attorneys in Detroit Michigan or where you live to get accurate information about your situation.
What should be known by anyone though is that there are some specific actions you can take right after the bite so that you can increase the possibility that an injury claim will be successful. Here is what you should do.
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Take Pictures
You will most likely not think about this but the more evidence you gather, the easier it is to prove how severe a wound was. After filing the claim, the dog bite lawyer needs such images to easily validate injuries. If you think there is even the slightest possibility you will file a claim, you need to get photos. It is possible that you do not know how much medical treatment will cost and you might want the dog owner to take care of it if costs are too high.
Get The Information of the Dog Owner
You already know this if the dog that bit you is owned by someone you know. If this is not the case, you want to exchange contact information. For instance, when the dog owner was walking the animal and you were bit, you need information about the owner when seeking out medical treatment. This is also necessary when you hire the injury attorney.
When getting dog owner information, it is good to look around to see if witnesses are present. If so, it is a good idea to get the contact information of these witnesses. A couple of witnesses can be a huge difference in any insurance claim or lawsuit.
Get Treatment
It is very easy to underestimate how much treatment you need. Many people simply take care of the wounds alone, without going to the emergency room. They only go to doctors when a severe attack happens.
Keep in mind that you never know if the dog is sick or not. This means you do need to at least get checked out, even if the injuries look minor.
Get in Touch with Animal Control
You do not do this in order to get the dog killed or taken away from the owner, which is why many do not get in touch with animal control in the first place. The reason for contacting is that animal control keeps track of dogs that were involved in repeated attacks. If this is the case, your claim can be higher.
Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer
Never assume that you can file the claim and be successful alone. You need to get the help of an experienced personal injury attorney whenever you are injured by a dog and you decide to file a claim. Laws can be complicated and you need someone to help you in your corner.
