When people think about dog attacks, they usually associate them with a bite or scratch. But people are often injured running from a dog that is attacking them. If you get injured while running from a dog, you should seek medical attention, document the incident, and reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney.
Dog attacks can result in torn ligaments, sprained joints, fractured bones, and even serious infections and other complications, so it’s important to get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t feel any pain right after the incident.
Once you’ve sought medical treatment for your injury, an experienced Marietta dog bite lawyer will build a strong claim on your behalf and pursue the damages you deserve to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Let’s take a closer look at what you should do if you get injured while running from a dog.
Move to a Safe Place if You’ve Been Injured While Running from a Dog
If you’ve been injured while running from a dog, move to a safe place. Doing so will ensure the dog doesn’t hurt you again and will allow you to calm down and assess your injuries. Call for help if your injuries prevent you from standing up and moving to a safer location.
You can call any other people in the area over and ask them to help you get to a safer location. Use your cell phone to call emergency services if no one is around.
Assess Your Injuries and Get Medical Assistance
After getting injured while running from a dog, you should prioritize your health and safety. While documenting the incident is important, you have to prioritize your health if you’ve suffered a serious injury. Call an ambulance if you need urgent medical care.
Even if your injuries don’t need immediate care, you’ll still want to see a doctor once you’ve left the scene of the accident. A physician will be able to diagnose any injuries you might not have noticed and provide the course of treatment you require to recover.
Additionally, the healthcare facility will provide crucial documentation to show how and when you were injured. These records will be critical for recovering compensation from the dog’s owner via an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit.
Document the Incident
Report the incident to your local police department’s Animal Control office. The officers there will come to the scene, interview you, the dog owner, and any other witnesses, and issue citations if they are warranted. They will determine whether the dog is up-to-date on its rabies vaccinations and may also take photos of your injuries.
Once you’ve reported the incident to Animal Control, take photos of any visible injuries you’ve suffered, including any bruises, scrapes, or other dog bite injury. Continue taking photos every week or two as your injuries heal. A lawyer will use these photos to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Finally, if anyone witnessed the dog attack, speak to them and ask them for their information. Your Marietta dog bite attorney will use their testimony to learn more about the incident and strengthen your case.
Hire a Trusted Dog Bite Lawyer from Marietta
Once you’ve taken the above-mentioned steps, you’ll want to hire a skilled attorney to help with your case. During a free consultation, our team will discuss your accident, injuries, and best course of legal action moving forward.
Your attorney will then work tirelessly to gather important evidence, construct a compelling claim, and obtain the damages you deserve to get back on your feet. If your claim is successful, you’ll be eligible for the following damages:
- Medical bills, including future expenses if needed
- Permanent scarring
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your attorney will calculate how much money you should receive from an insurance claim and fight for the above-listed damages. With a committed dog bite lawyer by your side, you’ll have an excellent chance at getting the damages you deserve to treat your injuries and move forward with your life.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Skilled Dog Bite Attorney
At Jones & Swanson, we know how challenging and painful it is to recuperate from a serious dog attack injury. Whether you’ve sustained a painful back injury from falling down, a dog bite injury from the attack, or another condition, our team is here to help you get the resources you deserve to recover.
Our lawyers have over 45 years of combined experience, and we have recovered more than $50 million for our clients. Unlike larger firms in the area you see advertising on TV, we are all about personal service. If you choose Jones & Swanson, you’ll have one team see your case through from beginning to end.
Contact our lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate dog bite lawyer. We’ll meet with you to discuss your accident, answer any questions you have, and provide further information on what you should do if you get injured while running from a dog. We look forward to working with you soon.
