What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog
Are you wondering what to do if you’re bitten by a dog? Dog bites can be extremely serious. Even if the bite doesn’t require stitches, it can still become infected. If the dog is rabid or the owner cannot prove that the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccine, you may have to undergo a series of painful rabies shots to protect your health. If you’re bitten by a dog in New York, do the following:
What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog | Get Medical Attention
Get immediate medical attention. If you’re bleeding and believe that you may need stitches, get emergency medical attention. Medical attention is important regardless of the severity of the dog bite because it creates a record of the attack and can stop the bite from getting infected.
Find out who owns the dog. This isn’t always possible. If you have to call 911 for your dog bite, the police will also be dispatched. Let the dispatcher know that you were bitten by a dog and give them a description. They may also send animal control. The police or animal control can help find the owner or custodian of the animal. You can ask others who live in the neighborhood about the dog.
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What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog | Collect Evidence
Take pictures. Use your smartphone to take photos of the dog (if you can), the owner (if you find them or if they are present), and your injuries. Write down what happened as soon as you can. Don’t wait for days or weeks to do this. You need to document what happened as soon as you can. You should include a description of the dog, where the dog bite happened, the injuries you received, and information about the owner or custodian of the dog. You can also document the names and contact information for any witnesses.
What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog | Keep Records
Keep a record of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the dog bite. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to receive reimbursement from the dog owner’s home owner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
Please contact our New York dog bite lawyer as soon as you can. You only have three years from the date of the bite to file a claim. During your free consultation, we will explain whether you have a valid claim and what steps you should take next. Please call our NYC dog bite lawyer today to schedule your free consultation.