No matter how well we think we know a dog, you can get bitten and suffer life-changing injuries in the blink of an eye. Knowing what to do after a canine attack is critical to both your health and finances. The following steps explain what to do after a dog bite attack in NJ.
- Seek medical attention right away. Because bite wounds can quickly become infected, it’s vital to get examined immediately. It would be best if you also had the animal’s vaccination history verified as soon as possible by the authorities so that your doctor can assess your risk of severe diseases like rabies.
- File a report with local law enforcement and/or animal control as soon as possible. Any instances of a dog attacking someone will require an investigation of the incident, which can be put into a report documenting what happened. This is a crucial piece of evidence for injury claims stemming from this event.
- Get the dog and dog owner’s information. This should include more than just their name and phone number. Get an address, additional contact information, the name of the animal’s vet, and even the dog’s license number if possible.
- Speak with witnesses at the scene, if possible. If someone saw what happened, getting their contact information for a later statement is also important to any future legal action you might take. These accounts can strengthen your injury case against the dog’s owner.
- Document everything that happens. From bite wound photos to physician notes regarding your prognosis, having documentation about the trauma you suffered and care you are receiving is very important. Include the kind of struggles you are facing emotionally and physically as a result of your injuries.
- Once you have time to collect your thoughts after the dog bite attack, write down what happened, including the circumstances leading up to the incident. This will help you memorialize important details that can help your attorney.
- Contact an experienced New Jersey dog bite attorney right away. State law surrounding personal injury claims is complex and has little room for error. Trying to recover from your injuries is challenging enough without the pressures of negotiating for compensation. A lawyer who specializes in this type of injury can take this burden off your plate and let you focus on healing.
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If you or a loved one are not sure what to do after a dog bite attack in NJ, contact our office to schedule a consultation right away. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer questions you have about your rights to compensation.