What To Do If A Dog Bites You?

Steps After a Dog Bite Attack

When a dog bites you, you will require treatment for wounds ranging from cuts and abrasions to deep punctures. You’ll likely have to spend time after the attack undergoing important medical examinations and dealing with difficult financial matters. No one can blame you if you just want to relax, recover from your bite injuries, and forget about the incident, at least for a while.

However, the reality is that the steps you take after a dog attack can determine your compensation. Our dog attack attorney has seen how understandable mistakes can come back to haunt a victim.

What to Do After a Dog Bite?

After a dog attack with multiple bites and injuries, take the following steps once the dog has been restrained:

• Apply first aid to serious dog bite wounds: ensure victims are given medical care as a priority.
• Seek medical attention: Your health and well-being are the most important factors to consider. Go to a hospital or your doctor immediately,
• Take pictures of the bite wound both before treatment and afterwards
• Inform the owner: Calmly, patiently, without hostility or malice, inform the owner of the attack. The owner is often present at the time of the attack, but if he or she is not, tell him or her. Don’t argue, don’t raise your voice.
• Inform animal control: Contact your local government’s animal control unit. They need to know about the attack, and they might have records of past attacks by the same dog.
• Document everything: The law is all about evidence, so it’s impossible to have too much documentation of your attack. Take pictures of your injury and the surrounding environment. Keep copies of any medical records or law enforcement reports generated after the attack.
• Speak with our dog attack lawyer as soon as possible. Call Mr. Cowhey to arrange a free case evaluation. At this consultation, we will discuss your attack and your legal options, all with no charge or obligation.

What Happens in the Weeks After a Dog Attack

In the weeks after a dog bite incident, you’re likely to experience emotional and physical health challenges relating to the attack. During this time, many dog bite victims undergo additional medical treatment beyond the stitches and wound care. The following days and weeks after the dog attack, you may require:

• Treatment for dog bite infections
• Planning plastic surgery for facial wounds
• Counseling for emotional trauma
• Ongoing treatment for rabies prevention.

It’s important to keep all of your options open. Even if you’re leaning against pursuing legal action, you should still speak with our dog attack and injury attorney. He will use his 35+ years of experience to evaluate your case and help you decide which avenue is right for you.

If you’re a New Jersey resident and you need an experienced dog attack attorney, please call David J. Cowhey at 866-343-3181 or reach out to us through our online form and schedule your free consultation.