Many New Jersey families consider their dogs to be a loving member of their family. On the other end of the spectrum, vicious dogs are a public menace. When a dog owner is negligent by failing to control a dangerous dog, New Jersey law allows you to hold that person responsible for any losses you suffer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 4.5 million dog bites occur every year. Many of those dog bites happen to children. If a dog bites you or a loved one who lawfully visits the property of the dog owner, they can be held accountable for the injuries inflicted by the dog. The same holds true if you are in a public place and are injured by a dog. Speak with the personal injury attorneys at Lomurro Law for a free legal review of your situation.
Best Practices After Suffering a Dog Bite
Locate the Dog Owner
It’s important to find the owner of the dog right away so they can control the dog and prevent it from attacking you further or attacking someone else. Understandably, a dog attack is a traumatic experience, and your nerves may be wrecked. However, you must remain calm while you speak with the owner and get the information you need. Get their name and contact information, as well as the dog’s vaccination records. In the event that you are unable to obtain vaccination records, you should see a doctor immediately.
Call Animal Control
There are a couple of reasons to contact animal control after you are bitten by a dog.
- It’s best to have a trained professional handle an aggressive dog, particularly when the dog doesn’t have an owner or that owner is not present.
- Animal control needs to make a record of dog bites in case of a rabies outbreak.
Get Documentation
If you are able, take pictures of the dog, your injuries, and the accident scene. It’s also a good idea to record a quick video on your smartphone of you simply stating what happened. It’s important to document the event while your memory is still fresh.
If you speak with any witnesses, get their contact information. Your attorney may wish to contact them later for an official witness statement.
Seek Professional Medical Care
Remember, dog bites can lead to a serious infection, so get medical attention as soon as possible. The physician who treats you will examine your injury and let you know if you need a rabies shot.
Call a New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney Today
A knowledgeable New Jersey dog bite attorney at Lomurro Law will review your injuries and your case and discuss your legal options in a free, no-commitment consultation. If you choose to use us for representation, we will immediately get to work investigating the incident and obtaining documentation and evidence to support your claim. We’ll submit an injury claim to the dog owner’s home insurance company and negotiate for full compensation for your injuries.
Lastly, we’ll handle your injury claim on a contingency fee basis, which means you will only pay a fee if we obtain monetary compensation on your behalf. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.