Dogs may be man’s best friend, but their teeth are viciously sharp. Even the sweetest, most well-trained dog can bite, whether or not he or she has been provoked. If you’ve been attacked by someone else’s dog, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Talk to a personal injury lawyer about the situation, and continue reading to learn more about what to do after this type of injury.
Seek medical attention right away.
It’s always necessary to seek a doctor’s care after an animal attack, even if the injury seems relatively minor at first. Let the doctor know when you last received a tetanus shot. Dogs are known to have high levels of dangerous bacteria in their mouths, and an infection could cause serious health complications for you. Furthermore, seeking a medical evaluation immediately after the attack establishes a paper trail. Your personal injury lawyer can use your medical records to substantiate your claim, should you decide to file a lawsuit.
Take notes about what happened.
While the incident is still fresh in your mind, write down as much as you can remember about what happened. Make a note of exactly where you were when the attack occurred. Arizona’s dog bite laws may allow you to seek compensation if you were on public property or lawfully on private property at the time. It’s also ideal if you can identify the dog and his or her owner. If there were any witnesses, you’ll need their full names and contact information.
Consult a personal injury lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer can review your case and help you sort through your options. In Arizona, you should be able to bring a lawsuit as long as you were on public property or lawfully on private property. You will also need to demonstrate that the owner failed to exercise reasonable caution to prevent the attack. However, Arizona is a strict liability state regarding dog
bites. This means it is not an acceptable defense for the dog’s owner to say that he or she didn’t know the dog would bite, or that the dog had never bitten anyone before.
The personal injury attorneys at Mesch Clark Rothschild have recovered more than $100 million for our injured clients. We can review your case and advise you as to your rights and options for seeking legal recourse. Call our law office in Tucson at (520) 624-8886 to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
