When the world isolated itself during the pandemic, people’s pets offered companionship during that trying time. But in 2024, dog attacks are becoming a pandemic in and of themselves because these same dogs haven’t been socialized. Many people believe dog bites are uncommon, but after COVID lockdowns, new data published by The Orange County Register and the state Department of Health Care Access and Information suggests these attacks are on the rise, so having a good dog bite lawyer in your back pocket is more important than ever. In 2022, 48,596 ER visits resulted from dog bites in California, approximately 125 visits per 100,000 residents, and a 70% increase in these visits from 2005.
If you have been the victim of a dog attack, don’t resign yourself to being another statistic. At Cohn & Swartzon, we will enforce your rights to get you the compensation you deserve for your sustained injuries and damages. Learn what to do if a dog attacks you.
Have you been hurt by a dog bite but are getting the runaround from its owner or their insurance? Call LegalHelp123 now at 714-203-2428.
What You Should Know if a Dog Attacks You from a Dog Bite Lawyer
First and foremost, as a victim, you have rights and are entitled to compensation. But the person responsible for this incident, their insurance company and their attorneys will want you to go away and try to block you from enforcing your rights. From getting treatment, documenting your injuries, and saving medical records to working with an attorney, here is what you should do after a dog attacks you.
Related Article: Why Do You Need a Dog Bite Law Firm After an Accident?
Get Treated and Save Medical Records
Before you do anything, get medical attention and treat the wounds. Your health is the top priority, and the injuries sustained from these bites can be severe. In fact, the death rate from dog bites has more than doubled since 2005.
Save all medical records, including bills and receipts for any medication you need for the dog bite, and in their records, have the doctor who sees you explicitly link your wounds and any necessary treatment to the bite itself.
Also, if you have to miss work due to this injury, maintaining a record of the pay you have lost is crucial. This is all invaluable evidence for your dog bite lawyer as they calculate the compensation you deserve following an accident.
“Remember that infections often occur as a result of the dog bite because of the bacteria in their mouth, so you can get a blood infection. You must be really careful and get medical attention as soon as possible.”
– Saar Swartzon, Founder and Partner, Cohn & Swartzon
Related Article: How Much Is My Dog Bite Injury Claim Worth?
Take Pictures
Take pictures and/or video of your wounds after the bite as well, document the wound as it gets better or worse, and take pictures of the location in which the bite occurred. You should document the entire environment and any features that contributed to the attack. Videos can also work in these situations.
File a Police Report
After being attacked by a dog, always call the police right away. Even if the owner is your friend or neighbor, we often see these situations quickly go sideways. Having the police come to take a report is extremely important to document what happened.
A police report is also a great asset to your dog bite attorney because it will also document any witnesses who saw the attack.
Have you been hurt by a dog bite but are getting the runaround from its owner or their insurance? Call LegalHelp123 now at 714-203-2428.
File a Report with Animal Control
You should also call animal control so that they can come and take a report, too. If you know this isn’t the first time their dog has attacked someone, obtaining past reports is also incredibly helpful for your dog bite lawyer to establish a trend and hold them accountable.
They may try to stop you from calling animal control and plead with you, but do not be swayed. Filing a report is crucial to enforcing your rights.
Call a Dog Bite Lawyer
After you have called the police and animal control and received medical attention, contact a dog attack lawyer as soon as possible.
This professional will have an extensive understanding of the law, what evidence you need to gather, how to collect it, how to calculate the damages you deserve, how to negotiate with insurance companies, and how to craft a compelling argument that is effective in court.
While your lawyer handles your case, you can focus on what matters most: recovering from this traumatic experience.
Related Article: Tips for Finding the Best Lawyers for Dog Bites
Contact an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer
The attorneys at Cohn & Swartzon will relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve after a dog attack. We will advocate for you so that you will not be just another statistic in this growing trend of dog bites. Call us. We will tell you about the numerous dog attack cases we have handled.
Contact the Cohn & Swartzon team of LegalHelp123.com now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, or call LegalHelp123 at 714-203-2428.
