You are enjoying the beautiful weather by strolling in the park when out of nowhere comes a dog and attacks you .There are over 4.5 million dog bite cases a year with about 20% of them resulting in the need for medical attention. If you've been injured by a dog that is not yours, you could face some serious medical issues. Some injuries can include needing stitches, shots, and more depending on how bad the injuries are.
If the dog belongs to someone else, the owner of the dog is required to take care of the medical expenses you incur. Here are the steps you should take when you've been bitten by a dog:
Evaluate the Injury
Once you have been bitten by a dog, you need to assess the wound. If it looks to be deep or is gushing out blood, chances are you need to consult a medical professional. In many cases, the wound may require stitches if it is deep enough. If the wound goes untreated, it is possible it could get infected.
This would require antibiotics to alleviate the infection. Whether you have insurance or not, it is important to seek out treatment. Over 30% of dog bites end up with reconstructive surgery. This can cost you thousands of dollars.
Get the Dog Owner's Information
It is the dog owner's responsibility to keep their dog from injuring anyone. In most cases, they are responsible for paying the medical bills you incur when their dog has bitten you. trying to get them to pay for the bills can be difficult. When the bite occurs, it is important to get their information.
This involves a phone number, address, or any other way of contacting the dog owner. Every state has different laws surrounding the liability of dog bites. In some cases, the renter's or homeowner's policy can cover the financial responsibility.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
When the owner of the dog will not work with you like they should, it is time to call your local personal injury attorney. They are knowledgeable about the local laws surrounding dog bites and can help keep the owner accountable for the dog's actions.
If the owner remains unwilling to cooperate, the lawyer can help you sue for medical expenses that were incurred due to the dog bite. Many personal injury lawyers will provide a free consultation to help see if you have a case before you retain their services. To learn more, contact a professional like Frank L. Slaughter Jr. PC for help.
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