What Mistakes Should You Avoid After a Dog Bite?

Getting bitten by a dog leaves most people shaken, angry, and searching for answers. The consequences of a bite can linger long after the initial injury, with infections, swelling, nerve damage, and other complications that can slow healing. And too many people make critical mistakes after a dog bite because they are eager to go home and move on with their day.

It's easy to make one of several common mistakes when dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite. A few easy precautions can have tremendous effect, however, on both the health and legal needs of those who were bitten.

Mistake: Not Taking the Bite Seriously Because It Appears Minor

After getting bitten by a dog, people must pay close attention to the affected area by thoroughly washing it with warm water and using mild soap to effectively clean the wounds. After seeking out professional care, people must maintain proper wound care as the medical professional directs and keep copies of receipts, antibiotics, additional care instructions, and future appointments relating to the dog bite to make sure that they fully heal and avoid future infections. Many dog bites appear minor at first but can rapidly become life-threatening.

Mistake: Delaying the Reporting of the Bite to Authorities

After a dog bite, individuals should report the incident to local authorities as soon as is practical in order to establish a file proving that the dog was displaying problematic behaviors. The dog bite might not immediately seem like a big deal, but some people choose not to report the incident because they feel sympathetic to the dog or do not want to involve dog owners in a difficult discussion. These people then regret not reporting the dog bite because the police report can hold crucial evidence in the future when it is time to make a personal injury claim.

Mistake: Forgetting to Collect Pertinent Information After the Bite

If a person is physically and mentally capable of doing so, then they should seek out the owner's contact information and collect any information about the dog's vaccinations.

Taking pictures of the wounds, the damaged clothes, and the area where the dog bite occurred can become vital pieces of evidence for any dog bite claim in the future. If witnesses were present and saw the dog bite occur, then a dog bite lawyer must include their written statements, names, contact information, and any other relevant details to build a strong legal case. When people are excited or horrified after the bite, it could become easy to miss important facts or forget details about the situation.

Mistake: Arguing With the Owner or Being Confrontational

When confronted by an owner of a dog that bit someone, it is easy to become emotional and confrontational.

People should instead remain calm and focused on getting information and directions from the owner. It is unwise to make threats or demands about compensation at this point in the process. People should leave negotiations regarding compensation for the dog bite to a dog bite attorney. A dog bite claims lawyer can effectively negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf without risking their livelihood or future by confronting the dog owner personally.

Mistake: Sharing Too Much Information About the Bite on Social Media

Insurance companies might take advantage of comments made on social media when considering whether to accept or deny a claim. A victim does not need to post photos of wounds or the circumstances surrounding the incident. Even if a person is trying to show how the incident was not their fault, comments such as "I am feeling much better now" can be taken out of context and used against the victim. While people can continue to use social media, it usually becomes best to keep the issue or the dog bite itself completely private.

Mistake: Giving a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Company Too Early

An insurance company may call and ask to record a statement. Although the adjuster speaking with the victim may seem pleasant, it is extremely unlikely that they will advocate for them in court. Be wary of giving a recorded statement that could be used to deny the claim or drive down the settlement amount that the victim was entitled to receive. Dog bites not only pose a serious threat to health but also to finances. Health care costs associated with dog bites are rising across the country, and the dog bite claim laws are changing in some states. Speak with a qualified dog bite attorney to understand how those changes could affect a personal injury claim.

Mistake: Discarding Valuable Evidence

Any documents, film footage, health records, physical evidence, conversations, or correspondence regarding the dog bite can become crucial evidence for any negotiations that a dog bite lawyer will make on your behalf. Although it might feel like too much hassle to keep all of this information, everything plays a part in building up the full picture so that the dog bite claim can move swiftly and smoothly. If the injury requires time off of work, a victim must make sure to document the number of missed days and the wages lost due to the dog bite.

Mistake: Assuming Nothing Can Be Done About the Bite

After the victim sustains a wound, the most common mistake people make is to believe that they either already have all of the power the situation allows or that none of it really matters in the long run. For example, people might assume they have no legal recourse if the dog owner apologizes.

Many things influence the dog bite case, so it becomes essential to speak with an experienced dog bite attorney who can determine if a victim actually has legal recourse. The dog bite laws depend on a state's jurisdiction and what occurred before and during the time of the dog bite itself.

FAQs About Dog Bite Injuries and Legal Claims

What should I do right away if I was bitten by a dog?

Get somewhere safe, wash the wounds, and seek out professional medical care as soon as possible. Report the incident and collect the owner's contact information, the dog's vaccination information, pictures of the damages, and any witness contact information.

Should I consult a dog bite lawyer?

If serious injuries resulted in high medical bills, lost wages, chronic nerve damage, or disfigurement, discussing the matter with a qualified personal injury attorney will be necessary. A dog bite attorney can help victims assert their legal rights to appropriate compensation.

Should I take an insurance company's offer after being bitten by a dog?

It is usually best to wait when considering whether to take an insurance settlement. It can take quite some time for all symptoms of the dog bite to surface, and the full financial extent of the dog bite might not become completely apparent for several months following the incident. Be certain that there is no reason to accept an early settlement offer that might restrict future compensation.

What evidence does a person have for a dog bite incident?

Health records, photograph evidence, statements provided by witnesses, incident reporting documents, damaged clothing, expense records, wage loss records, and written reports or statements to the dog owner or insurance company.

What if the dog owner said his dog never bites?

It does not become entirely obvious how to proceed, but it is important to keep in mind the incident's specifics and apply them to personal injury laws for the state in which the incident occurred.

Take the Next Step After a Dog Bite Incident

Sometimes a dog bite incident leads to more than the physical harm. Additional health issues, lost wages, and emotional distress can combine to worsen the effects of the initial injury.

Avoid making one of several common mistakes after a dog bite to help minimize the harmful effects on one's physical and financial well-being. If someone, or a loved one, sustained an injury to one's personal property or bodily harm after encountering a dog, seeking professional legal counsel will be extremely beneficial.

Visit The Lackey Law Firm to start learning about available options.