6 Things To Do First When Attacked By A Dog
The first few moments after a dog attack play a great role in your subsequent injury claim, should you decide to file one. Here are some of the things you should do first when attacked by a dog.
1. Identify the Dog
One of the first things you should do is to identify the dog that has just attacked you. This is particularly necessary if there is more than one dog at the scene of the accident or if the dog was by itself. Note the dog's tag if it has one; if it doesn't have a tag, note its breed, size, color, and any unique features for ease of identification.
2. Identify the Dog's Owner
You also need to identify the owner of the dog because they will be the one responsible for setting your damages. Take the name, address, and phone number of the dog owner for identification and communication purposes.
3. Identify the Witnesses
If there are any potential witnesses at the scene of the attack, then you should also get their name and contacts. This will save you a great deal of trouble of having to look for witnesses later on. Don't forget that having eyewitness testimony will play a huge role in your pursuit of compensation. For example, they may help you identify the dog that attacked you and also to prove that you didn't provoke the dog.
4. Photograph Your Injuries
It also helps to photograph your injuries as a form of preserving evidence. If you possible, you should even take the pictures before dressing up the wound. These pictures will help you prove that you were indeed injured, act as evidence of the severity of your injuries, and even help identify the responsible dog.
5. Get Medical Attention
Getting prompt medical attention is always advisable after an injury. This is not only for your health's benefit, but also to help you with any eventual claim you may decide to make. Don't forget that injury victims are expected to mitigate their damages, and one way of doing this is by getting medical care.
6. Don't Settle With the Dog's Owner
In some cases, the owner of an offending dog may be in a hurry to settle the case by giving you some money. This is inadvisable immediately after the attack because you still don't know the extent of your injury and damages. Take some time to take stock of your dames and know the extent of your injury (by getting medical treatment) before talking compensation. In fact, it's a good idea to consult a personal injury lawyer first before settling with the dog owner.
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