Dog bites and dog attacks are extremely traumatic events, especially when a child is bitten. Dog bites almost always result in serious injury, and in severe cases, even death. Dog bites and dog attacks are governed by the strict liability rule of law. This means the owner of a dog is liable for any and all injuries caused by his dog.
If you are a victim of a dog bite or dog attack:
1. Report the dog bite or dog attack to the police department, as well as animal control. You should always report the dog bite to police, regardless of how severe you initially believe the your injury may be. It is important to remember that a number of injuries may not be readily apparent directly after the bite, however will over the following days. Additionally, it is important to remember that you may not have been the first, or the last (should you not report the dog bite), to sustain a bite or wound from the dog. By notifying the police you are ensuring appropriate safety measures are taken to prevent further dog bites and dog attacks.
2. Determine whether the dog has rabies. The dog may have rabies. If this is the case, there are several vaccines that you must get as soon as possible after the bite.
3. Don’t argue with the owner of the dog. It is important to remember that most dog owners will lack impartiality, choosing to believing there dog would never bite a stranger, unless severely provoked.
4. Do not make any recorded statements to the owner of the dog or the insurance company. Directly after the dog bite, the owner of the dog may try to get you to make a recorded statement. Likewise, the adjuster for the insurance company of the dog owner may attempt to contact you on the phone. He or she will most likely want you to give a recorded statement explaining how the dog bite or dog attack happened. As a general rule, it is extremely important that you not give a recorded statement concerning the dog bite or dog attack to anyone without the advice of a Minneapolis Dog Bite Attorney.
It is also important that you not give an oral statement concerning liability to the dog owner after the dog bite or dog attack. As a hypothetical example, put yourself in the insurance company or property owner’s shoes. The primary objective of the insurance company is to make money for their shareholders. Every dollar that the insurance company pays out in claims to injured victims is a dollar lost to the insurance company’s shareholders. Thus, the insurance adjusters primary goal is to reduce the total amount that is paid out in dog bite and dog attack claims, and that includes your claim.
5. Contact a Dog Bite Injury Attorney immediately after the accident. If you choose not to consult a dog bite injury attorney, you are on your own, against the large insurance company, and all of its lawyers. An Dog Bite Injury Attorney will make sure you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
One of our Minneapolis dog bite lawyers will meet with the injured party dog bites case. The guardian of a minor or the person who is bitten will be the one meeting with the Dog Bite Attorney .
If you or someone you know has been injured by a dog, please have them contact our Minneapolis dog bite lawyers today at 612-234-PAIN (7246) .
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