Divorce Law and You

There are all kinds of ways you can get injured in your day-to-day life through no fault of your own. However, if there is one type of injury that is least expected, it is a dog bite injury. Because being attacked or injured by an animal can be so frightening and unfamiliar, it is not at all uncommon for an injured individual to make some pretty big mistakes. To ensure you don't do anything to compromise a potential personal injury claim after a dog bite, it's important to know these common mistakes you can make and how to avoid them.

Mistake: Not alerting the owner that you have been bitten by their dog.

Why? It is highly important that you immediately let the dog owner know that you've been bitten by their dog. If the dog owner is not around, contact the local authorities and let them know so they can contain the animal and find its owner. Never leave the scene of a dog bite attack without either trying to locate the dog owner on your own or contacting the proper authorities. If you fail to do this, filing a personal injury claim down the road can be a tricky process.

Mistake: Forgetting to get contact information from the owner.

Why? If the owner is present when the dog bite occurs, make sure you get their contact information before you leave the scene of the accident. Dog bites frequently happen in public places, such as at a public park or just walking down the street, which means without getting the contact details, you may never know how to get in touch with an individual later on when your medical bills start coming in for your injuries. It is also a good time to ask if the dog is up to date on its vaccinations so you can let the treating medical staff know when you go to have the injury checked out. 

Mistake: Not seeking proper medical care after your injury.

Why? A dog bite can range from pretty minor, looking almost like a slight scratch, to pretty severe with large gaping wounds and cuts. No matter how insignificant your injury may appear, it is an absolute must that you go ahead and get medical attention. Animal bites are fairly notorious for setting up an infection because of the amount of bacteria that the animal's teeth can leave in the wound. If you do not seek medical attention right after and try to do so later, not only can this compromise your health, but it can cause problems with a personal injury claim.

For more help, contact a personal injury lawyer like Townsend, Richard.