La Habra Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or someone in your family has suffered an injury in a La Habra dog attack, there are a number of steps you can take right away to protect your rights. It is common in these types of incidents for the dog's owner to deny responsibility and for the victim and his or her family to struggle with mounting medical bills and other losses. It is important to act quickly and to collect as much information as you can. An experienced La Habra dog bite lawyer can help you better understand what your dog bite claim is worth and what you may need to do in order to be compensated for your losses.
Call the Authorities
If a dog has hurt you or a loved one, do not leave the scene of the incident. Instead, call the authorities. You will want to file a police report or an incident report with animal control officers right away. If it is clear that officials will not be able to visit the site of the incident, you can file a report at the station. Getting the authorities involved can be helpful. They will often help you collect information regarding who is responsible for the dog and how the incident occurred. Additionally, calling 911 will ensure that an ambulance will arrive at the site right away should you need prompt medical attention.
Collecting Vital Information
It will take some time for emergency services to arrive. So you will want to use this time to collect as much information as possible from the site of the incident. If you are too injured to do this, call a friend or family member to help you. You will want to write down exactly where and when the incident occurred. It is always a good idea to get detailed information about where the incident occurred. You will also want to write down the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the dog attack. If you have the dog owner information, such as their name, address, phone number and insurance information, you will want to write that down too. If you have a camera, or a phone that can take pictures, take photos of the site of the dog attack, the dog and the injuries you have suffered.
Seeking Medical Attention
Even if you have only suffered minor injuries, you would be well advised to see a doctor. You do not know if the dog has an infection or worse, rabies, that can put you in great danger. If you have suffered a more serious physical injury such as skin lacerations, tears, broken bones and deep bite marks, you will need treatment right away. Many of these types of injuries can leave permanent scarring and immediate medical treatment can increase your chances of a full recovery. Additionally, your medical records can be used in court as legal proof of your injuries. It is critical that you document your expenses and losses every step of the way.
Describe your Losses
You may have it in your best interest to begin writing a journal to document your struggles since the incident. Are you struggling with everyday activities? Are you able to go back to work? Have you been disfigured as a result of the dog attack? Have you suffered facial scars and injuries? How is the scarring or disfigurement affecting you emotionally and psychologically? Did you have to undergo psychotherapy to cope with these issues?
Make sure you collect all of your medical bills and don't be afraid to ask your doctor about future treatments you may require. Many physical injuries require repeat visits, physical therapy treatments and surgical procedures. You may also require multiple cosmetic surgeries to repair scars. These types of losses should be included in a claim.
La Habra Dog Bite Lawyers
California law allows victims of dog bite incidents to pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a claim against the dog's owner. According to the California Civil Code, a dog owner is financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused by his or her pet. The experienced La Habra dog bite lawyers at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys can review the circumstances of your case and help you take the right steps to get the compensation you need and avoid the pitfalls that accompany the more complex cases. Please call us at 949-203-3814 to find out how we can help you and your family.
