You can never be prepared for a dog attack. However, if you are a dog bite victim, knowing what to do in the minutes, hours and even days after the incident will not only benefit your health but also help your case should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
A dog attack can be detrimental to your health. It can also leave you with a huge medical bill. And it is important that you protect both in the wake of a preventable dog attack.
Here are two crucial steps you need to take as soon as you possibly can following a dog attack:
Seek medical attention
A dog bite can leave you with serious wounds. If this results in severe blood loss, you need to contact emergency workers to stop the bleeding.
But physical wounds are not the only concern after a dog attack. Dogs are vectors of various-disease causing pathogens like rabies, cellulitis and Capnocytophaga. Left untreated, infections caused by these pathogens can lead to serious complications or even a fatality.
Gather your evidence
If you can, identify the animal owner and obtain their contact. Also, document the circumstances that led to the attack. Were you lawfully on the property? Did anyone witness the attack? Can you obtain photos and surveillance footage of the attack?
Remember, Nevada is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you can only recover damages as long as your contribution to the incident was not greater than the defendant’s. Thus, the more relevant evidence you can obtain, the more likely you will prove that the dog owner bears a greater responsibility for the attack.
A dog attack can leave you emotionally shaken and physically hurt. If you believe negligence played a role in your attack, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting damages.