Determining Fault In An Accident

Four Things To Do If Your Dog Has Bitten Someone

Even if you believe that you have the sweetest dog on the planet, there is still a chance that your dog could feel afraid and bite someone. In this situation, it is always important that you know what to do. This will help you to avoid a potential lawsuit, but also gather enough information to help you get through a lawsuit if the situation progresses that far. Here are four things that you should do if your dog has bitten someone:

1. Confine Your Dog and Help the Victim: The first thing to do is to confine your dog if you are able to, and then proceed to help the victim. This is always the best thing to do because it shows that you are taking responsibility for the actions of your dog even if you believe that it was the victim's fault that your dog acted out so aggressively. Never place any blame on the victim because this can be held against you if the victim decides to file a lawsuit in the future.
2. Exchange Information: If your dog bites someone on your own personal property, then you will need to provide your insurance information. You will also want to exchange contact information with the victim, as well as receive contact information from any witnesses on the scene. If the police are called, you should also have a police report filled out. 
3. Gather Your Dog's Medical Records: It is important that you visit your vet to retrieve your dog's medical records. You are going to need to provide proof that your dog is up-to-date on his or her rabies vaccinations. If your dog isn't, then you must get them up-to-date right away. This will ensure that you are able to take your dog out in public legally. 
4. Hire an Attorney: If the victim decides to file a lawsuit, you should hire a dog bite attorney, like those at Scherline And Associates, right away. Your attorney will be able to gather witness statements, your dog's medical records, and more to ensure that you are not going to have to spend so much to pay for the victim's medical expenses. Of course, if the victim was not at fault for the incident, then you may consider paying up front to avoid the messy lawsuit altogether. But this may not be the best choice if your attorney believes that you are able to win the case based on the victim's fault in the situation. For example, if witness statements say that the victim was in the dog's face or was acting inappropriately and that could've made your dog upset, then you will probably have the best outcome if you proceed with the lawsuit in court. 

By knowing these four things to do if your dog has bitten someone, you can be sure that you come out of the situation without much stress.