Dogs are beautiful creatures. They can take on many roles in your life, such as a playmate for your kids, a companion to fight loneliness, and even a workout partner. Having the motivation to walk your dog everyday is of great help when you’re trying to stay fit.
In the United States, pet ownership levels have grown and a lot of people even got one during the pandemic. Many Americans own a pet, especially a dog, but not everyone has the ability to educate and train them properly for social interactions.
Some dogs are friendlier than others and don’t require professional training, but every single dog is capable of biting a person or another dog. There are many reasons why this happens: The dog could be injured and he bites because he’s trying to defend himself from a possible attacker, or maybe he’s just afraid you’ll hurt him and he bites as a preventive measure.
Keeping yourself safe around dogs is possible, but not easy, and you can’t always predict a pet’s behavior. If you’ve been injured by a dog, you’ll most likely be able to sue someone for a dog bite.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite, contacting 911 immediately should be your first move, especially if the bite was severe.
You should also take pictures of your injury, if possible, and report the accident to the police. Do not make the mistake of just dealing with it and going back to your life like nothing happened. If you don’t sue after being attacked, you’ll have to pay all the medical bills by yourself, and there also won’t be anyone to calculate all your lost income while you’re recovering from scratches and lacerations.
After you receive the proper medical attention, consider getting in touch with a lawyer who has experience with injuries caused by dogs. Discussing the details of your claim is essential, and examining the evidence before the whole process turns into a long lawsuit can help you minimize the risks of your case taking a lot of time and money.
Suing for a minor injury is also possible, even if it’s rare, as dog attacks can end up causing mental trauma, even if they weren’t severe enough to send you to the hospital. Speaking with a dog bite lawyer is always advisable before trying to advance with a legal claim.
Liability
Liability changes as a concept according to the state you were in when the accident took place. Some states follow the one-bite rule, which states that a dog’s owner can only be held responsible for what happened if the dog showed signs of aggression or has attacked someone in the past. In other states, this rule doesn’t exist, and the owner has the responsibility of keeping his dog under control at all times. It doesn’t matter if it attacks someone for the first time, he still will be asked to pay for all the damages and losses caused to the victim.
Get a Lawyer
Do not deal with your injuries by yourself. What happened is not your fault and you shouldn’t pay for it. Contact a lawyer and seek compensation; it’s your right and you’re only hurting yourself if you refuse to do so.
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