Dog bites are terrifying. You're walking along, minding your business when someone's pet unexpectedly charges and bites you on the leg. Even a warning bite often means ripped clothes, a trip to the doctor's office, and painful disinfectant. While any animal attack is extremely stressful and disorienting, it's essential to understand what happens after a California dog bite.
Collect Information
Once the situation is under control (the animal is under control, or you have escaped immediate danger), you need to get the owner's information. This will likely be your only means of obtaining justice, so you need to verify its accuracy.
Ask for the owner's name and phone number. You might want to verify this information by asking to see their ID or by texting them immediately and making sure the text goes through. If they successfully give you false information, you will likely find it very difficult to file a claim.
Make sure you visit a doctor immediately after leaving the scene and take pictures of the injury as soon as you're comfortable doing so. This will provide invaluable evidence demonstrating the severity of the injury.
File a Report
Depending on the extent of the injury, you may wish to contact the police and file a formal report. This will provide another layer of verification and make it easy for your attorney to contact the owner in the future.
The owner might plead that you don't get the police involved, especially if they're worried about their dog being put to sleep. You should still get a police report and make sure they stay at the scene, regardless of what they say. The most important thing is getting the justice you deserve. It was the owner's responsibility to control their animal, and they failed to do so.
File a Claim
Once you've verified the owner's information, filed a police report, and gone to the doctor, your next step is finding an attorney. An attorney can file a claim for you and handle legal complexities while you rest and recover.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured by someone else’s dog, you might have a case. If you'd like an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney from Priority Law Group, A.P.L.C. to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call (877) 975-2529.