Dog Bite Injury Cases : Animals are not too keen on the intricacies of American law. So, when it comes to dog bite injuries, they cannot attest to their actions in a personal injury claim.
For victims to recover a settlement for their personal injury, they’ll need to handle their case correctly and hold the owner liable. If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite injury, use this guide to better understand how to conduct your case.
The Basics of Dog Bite Injuries Settlements
Insurance companies give millions of dollars to settle claims between canine owners and bite victims. But why do cases of dog bite injuries happen, and how can you recover from an insurance company if there isn’t insurance made specifically for these situations?
The CDC reports that nearly 3 million victims are bitten every year by an out-of-control dog. So while this could happen anywhere, most bites occur on residential properties. But no matter where it happens, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will typically cover the legal expenses of the owner.
Like with any case or personal injury suit, there must be evidence of the event and that the victim was injured. To strengthen your case, you’ll need to gather all the evidence you can while getting in contact with the owner to get the case started.
Collect Insurance Information
As soon as the bite occurs, you’ll want to be sure to get the dog and owner’s information to contact them. There won’t be a settlement to recover if you don’t have someone to make a claim against.
Note the insurance information of the dog owner if they possess insurance. If you can’t get it from the owner, see if you can contact a landlord who will hold a copy of the owner’s information.
Report the Incident Immediately
A police report of the attack will be invaluable when reporting and negotiating a claim.
Police reports usually require the information of both parties. Requesting the report will aid any personal injury lawyer in collecting information. Make sure to report the injury as an attack and not a bite. Issue a protective order if the dog needs to be leashed, confined, or muzzled, especially if the dog possesses violent behavior.
Seeking Medical Attention
Even minor bites can transmit bacteria and serious viral damage. So after an attack, you should also see a healthcare provider.
Make sure to collect hospital records after the incident. This should include all of the physicians’ names involved. Take pictures throughout the treatment process and document your recovery experience. The severity of the injury will be known to others and can be powerful evidence. The treatment process is costly and painful; others will see this process and have empathy for the victims involved.
In addition to caring for yourself, you’ll also need to gather information about the animal’s condition. Issue a rabies test to ensure the dog was not diseased or carrying the rabies virus.
Take Photographs
Pictures and videos always help as a visual aid and allow prosecutors to study and present the injuries.
You’ll also want to take a picture of the dog at the scene to support your evidence of an attack. Certain breeds of dogs are known to be more aggressive than others, which may further support your case.
It’s also helpful to take pictures of the specific area of the incident. Broken fence lines and other areas of neglect are points of interest when collecting evidence.
Recovering after an Attack
These tips are essential to proving the importance of your dog bite injury. The feeling of injustice is not enough to collect a settlement; you must demonstrate the dog owner’s liability in the incident.
Once you collect this information, you can present a solid case to your injury lawyer. If successful, you’ll win a nice settlement that will help heal the wounds of the dog bite injury.