Your priority should always be your physical well-being.
Dog bites are not only painful, but they have the potential to inflict serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Even if you’re familiar with the dog that bit you, most doctors will recommend receiving a rabies shot.
Seeing a doctor also ensures that your injuries are recorded if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit.
2. Write Down Everything You Can Remember
If you don’t know who owns the dog that bit you, write down everything you can remember about the incident. Include details about:
1. The time of the attack;
2. The location of the attack; and
3. The size, breed, and color of the dog.
If you can’t identify the dog’s owner, a Buffalo dog bite lawyer could help.
3. File a Formal Report
If you’ve sustained serious injuries, file a formal report with your local police department and your city’s Department of Animal Control.
4. Preserve Your Physical Evidence
Don’t discard your evidence. Make a deliberate effort to protect and preserve items including:
1. Any pictures or photographs you have of your injuries;
2. Any footage you took of the moments leading up to the attack; and
3. The bloodied clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack.
5. Retain Your Medical Records
If you saw a doctor, retain records related to:
1. Payments you made toward your co-pay or deductible;
2. Out-of-pocket costs you were forced to cover;
3. Diagnostic records and reports;
4. Physician referrals; and
5. Orders to attend physical rehabilitation or similar services.
6. Assess Your Losses
You may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner, but filing and winning a claim requires demonstrating your losses. You will need evidence of:
1. Your medical costs;
2. Your lost income from work;
3. Your physical pain and suffering;
4. Your emotional pain and suffering; and
5. Any other hardship you’ve sustained due to the attack.
Your attorney will use the evidence that you have available, and the evidence that they obtain in their investigation, to assess your losses and calculate your damages.
7. Stay Skeptical of Insurance Adjusters
If you’ve filed a claim against the dog owner’s home insurance carrier or pet policy, you may receive a call sooner than anticipated. However, you should always be skeptical of adjusters.
New York has strict laws on dog bite liability, and it is rarely in an insurance company’s best interest to pay the best possible settlement without negotiation.
8. Understand Your Options
You don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for a dog attack that wasn’t your fault. You could be entitled to compensation through:
1. Your health insurance policy;
2. The dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or pet owner’s insurance policy; and
3. A personal injury lawsuit.
In some cases, you may be able to file multiple claims to ensure that you receive all of the resources you need to begin rebuilding your life.
9. Reach Out to Attorneys
You stand your best chance of negotiating a settlement with an experienced dog bite lawyer on your side. Before committing to one firm, look at different law firms’ websites and prioritize attorneys with a proven track record of winning claims like yours.
10. Schedule Your Free Consultation
You don’t have to pay to hire an experienced dog bite lawyer: send the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. a message online or call us at 716-839-3939 to schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.