According to avma.org, more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. Nearly 1 in 5 of the victims require medical treatment. Furthermore, most dog bite incidents involve children and senior citizens. As a result, many of these incidents get litigated in court in a dog bite lawsuit. With these alarming statistics in mind, it’s crucial to know exactly what to do and what documents are needed if you ever fall victim to somebody else’s dog and decide to go the legal route.
How to win a dog bite Case
Your attorney MUST prove negligence in your dog bite case. In other words, during negotiations or trials, your lawyer must present evidence demonstrating that the owner’s negligence led to your injury caused by their animal. This task will require strong evidence and a well-equipped personal injury attorney.
4 documents/evidence needed for a dog bite case
It’s essential to seek prompt medical attention so you can not only treat your injuries but also get your injuries on record. Documented treatment is going to be crucial to winning your dog bite case.
In addition, you need to get the following information:
- Identify the pet owner. You will need the dog owner’s name, address, contact information, and homeowners or renters’ insurance.
- Report the dog bite incident to the police or animal control. This report will serve as evidence to establish the occurrence of the incident, including details such as date and time.
- Photos and witnesses. Take pictures of EVERYTHING. You want to get pictures of the dog, the location of the incident, injuries, and anything else related to the situation. The more pictures, the better. With that, if you have any witnesses, ensure you get their information and a statement.
- Medical records and expenses. You must keep a record of ALL expenses related to your injuries and medical records showing the extent of your suffering, whether physically, emotionally, and/or financially.
Why 770GoodLaw
If someone else’s dog caused you injury, you may be able to recover damages for your medical costs, lost wages, emotional trauma, permanent scarring, pain, and suffering, and more in a personal injury case. Schedule an appointment with 770GoodLaw and learn more about your legal options after an attack. If you are not satisfied with our services during the first 30 days, we will give you your file back without any charges.
