During the summer, Dallas residents love taking their dogs outside on walks to enjoy the sunny weather. But even though dogs usually appear friendly, they can be very dangerous. Around 880,000 dog bite victims seek emergency medical care at hospitals in the U.S. every year. To help prepare you for the worst, here is what to do if a dog bites you:
- Get away from the dog: After you are bitten by dog, you might be tempted to try to get back at the dog or to follow the dog back to its owner. But the best thing to do is to go to a safe place where the dog can’t attack you further.
- Seek medical care: When a dog bites you, you might not notice any wound on the surface, but significant damage might lie beneath your skin. It’s vital that you see a medical professional immediately after being bitten by a dog. If you delay medical care and later find out you were injured, it can be harder later to get the compensation you deserve for your injury.
- Speak with the dog owner : It’s important to try to speak with the dog’s owner to make sure the dog is up-to-date on its rabies vaccinations. Get their contact information in case your injuries turn out to be serious, and you decide to file a lawsuit.
- Alert the authorities: You should contact Animal Control or law enforcement after a dog bites you, so they can quarantine the dog, and keep the dog on file. Once you alert the authorities, they can make sure the dog doesn’t keep biting others.
- Contact a Texas dog bite attorney: An experienced dog bite attorney knows how to navigate the law to help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your physical and emotional turmoil.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a dog bite, contact the Law Offices of W.T. Johnson today and set-up your free, no-obligation consultation.
