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Popular wisdom says that a dog’s bark is often worse than its bite. Except when it’s not. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 of those people are forced to seek medical attention. But just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s justified. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite, here’s what you need to know before contacting Akin & Tate, the best personal injury attorney near you, for help today.
Dogs can bite for many reasons, but most often, they are reactionary. If a dog is in a stressful situation, it could bite to defend itself or its territory. It is also possible that the dog might be feeling unwell. They may be sick due to injury or illness and might want to be left alone. While these may seem like obvious aggressive warning signs, dogs also might nip and bite during play. Even though the animal may be having fun, playtime can be dangerous for people. It’s usually a good idea to avoid playing too rough with a dog, especially someone else’s, as these types of activities can make your four-legged playmate overly excited and may lead to a nip or a bite.
Unfortunately, children are the most common victims of dog bites and can be severely injured because of one. Keep a close eye on kids while they play with or around dogs as it’s not uncommon for them to accidentally be rough with animals without understanding the implications of their actions.
Because many animals react to sudden stimulation and loud noise, teach your children to avoid eye contact and fast movement around an especially aggressive or defensive dog. While the dog may just move on if you’re motionless, if you’re knocked down by the animal, experts recommend curling into a ball and using your hands to protect your ears and neck to avoid maximum injury.
Getting medical treatment as soon as possible after your dog bite is crucial to making sure you properly heal. Otherwise, your injuries could worsen, creating additional problems.
Documentation is also crucially important to protect yourself after the fact. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, make sure you take pictures of your wounds and the scene to prove the extent of the injuries. Calling the police can also be important, as it creates a record of the incident. The police will generate a report, and while they may not assign blame to the dog’s owner, they will take statements from you and any witnesses, which can help during an eventual dog bite lawsuit or claim.
Taking these steps will help a Georgia injury lawyer get you the dog bite compensation you deserve to make a full recovery. When you’re injured by a dog, you want to get better as soon as possible, and you shouldn’t have to pay for any of your recovery expenses, including lost wages, emotional distress, and medical bills, not to mention pain and suffering.
Take steps to protect yourself. Don’t let the insurance companies intimidate you into a lower settlement. Get an experienced Atlanta dog bite attorney near you to defend your innocence. Contact Akin & Tate for an immediate consultation.
SOURCE:https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention