5 Mistakes Not To Make After A Dog Attack

More than 4 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What should you do if you’re bitten by a dog in Colorado? We review five mistakes not to make in hopes that our decades of experience as Colorado personal injury lawyers will benefit you if, God forbid, you’re attacked and injured by “man’s best friend.”

1. Not seeking medical care.
   We get it — maybe the bite doesn’t seem like a big deal. Maybe going to the ER seems a little extreme. But it’s not. Hear us out:
   Injury and nerve damage aside, dog bites have the potential to develop infections that may turn deadly, according to the CDC. Even if you’re up-to-date with your tetanus shot, you’re still at risk for rabies, MRSA and more. Be sure to get yourself checked out right away, both for peace of mind and for medical documentation that may prove crucial in court.
2. Not reporting the incident to police.
   Your neighbor’s dog bit you. It’s not like a liquor store was robbed or somebody was murdered, right? Then why call the police? Here again:
   Documentation is your friend. Alerting the police to the attack will assist you in documenting the situation. It may even provide you with other witnesses to the incident’s aftermath. What’s more, calling 911 will help you receive prompt medical attention if your wounds are severe.
3. Not taking photos of the injury ASAP.
   Don’t wait until your wound has healed or started to heal. Be sure to take pictures as soon as it is safe to do so. These pictures could prove invaluable in court, as people tend to believe things they see with their own eyes more than the words of others.
4. Not getting the contact information of witnesses.
   If someone witnessed the attack — even if they didn’t see the whole thing — be sure to ask for their contact information: name, address, phone number and email address. While you don’t need witnesses to take your case to court, having them will only improve your chances of monetary recovery.
5. Not contacting a personal injury lawyer.
   Here’s the last big step you need to take: Pick up the phone. Call or email a reputable personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation. The call will be quick and painless and won’t commit you to action. It won’t cost you a dime, nor will retaining the services of an attorney.
   The vast majority of personal injury lawyers don’t collect unless they win your case, so you won’t be out money. In fact, calling a personal injury lawyer is an investment — one you should make to protect your family from the potential financial hardship of medical bills, lost wages and reduced quality of life.

If you were injured in a dog attack, give us a call at 1-719-249-0541 or fill out this form for a free case review. Our veteran personal injury lawyers, Kirk McCormick and James Murphy, have decades of legal experience. We’ve recovered millions for our clients and will put our expertise to work for you.