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February 22, 2022

What Should I Do After a Dog Bite Accident?

Dealing with dog bite accidents in Elkhart, Indiana

A pet attack is a terrifying event that can result in a devastating dog bite injury for you or a loved one. When a puppy grows up, “friendly” puppy nips might worsen into a trip to the vet. A major dog bite necessitates considerable medical attention, costing thousands of dollars. Costs don’t end at the emergency department, with lost wages and long-term therapy that you also have to deal with. It would be best if you didn’t have to pay the price for the neglect of an irresponsible dog owner.

Unfortunately, you may recognize the dog who attacked you and inflicted your injuries. Most dog attacks are caused by dogs belonging to someone you know, such as a friend’s, neighbor’s, or family member’s beloved pet. Even a dog you see daily might strike out in a moment of fear or aggressiveness. If this occurs to you, you may wish to refrain from pursuing compensation so that your friend or family member is not financially harmed.

That is why you need the services of an experienced dog bites attorney. When you file a dog bite injury claim, you can seek compensation for your injuries without putting the dog’s owner under financial strain. Almost all dog bite settlements are covered by the owner’s insurance, not by the owner. A knowledgeable dog bite attorney can explain your legal choices and how you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Wilson & Kinsman LLC’s dog bites attorney is ready to start working on your case right now. Contact us to schedule your free case review and take the first step toward the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After a Dog Bites You?

Dog bites may be painful, and they can also transmit germs that can lead to illness. One out of every five persons bitten by a dog requires medical attention. If you’ve been bitten by a dog and got a mild wound, clean it as quickly as possible with soap and water. If a small dog bite wound gets large and painful, or if you develop a fever, seek medical help.

If the cut is significant, you should get medical help right away. Apply pressure to halt bleeding from deeper puncture wounds. If you cannot stop the bleeding or if you get lightheaded or faint, dial 911 right away. Anyone bitten by a dog is in danger of contracting rabies, a virtually always lethal virus once symptoms appear. Dog bites must be reported to Indiana health officials and examined.

The information regarding the animal, the identity of the animal’s owner, if available, and the condition of the animal’s rabies vaccine should be filled out on an animal bite report form. If you are unsure whether your dog has been vaccinated or if your dog is acting abnormally, you should consult a veterinarian.

It’s also crucial to note if the bite was provoked or not. According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, dogs that bite after being provoked have a decreased risk of contracting rabies.

How Much Can I Sue a Dog Owner for Bite Injuries?

Suppose the dog’s owner caused the harm by carelessness or disdain for safety. In that case, a person bitten by a dog in an unprovoked assault in Indiana might file a dog bite lawsuit seeking reimbursement for medical costs, lost income from missed work, and pain and suffering.

Even if the owner is ignorant of a dog’s violent inclinations, Indiana courts have concluded that a dog owner must keep their pet under reasonable control. To avoid dog bites, a dog owner must be aware of the dog’s inherent inclinations and take necessary precautions.

If a dog owner fails to retain control of their dog or fails to follow animal control rules and the dog bites someone, the owner may be held accountable. The circumstances determine the severity of dog bite instances. Wilson & Kinsman LLC has an experienced dog bites attorney who can analyze the circumstances of your injuries and advise you on the best legal measures to pursue.

A dangerous dog should not be kept as a pet. Previous aggressive conduct by a dog might indicate that the owner should have known about the dog’s propensity to bite and taken more precautions to protect the public. Any dog owner who has a dog with a propensity for biting or a history of biting might be held civilly responsible if their dog bites someone else.

Individuals who are bitten while performing state or federal obligations, like postal couriers, are also protected under Indiana law. According to the law, if a dog bites a person performing an official duty of the state or federal government, such as delivering mail or police officers or firefighters conducting their work, the dog owner is civilly accountable for all damages.

Even if the dog owner had no prior knowledge of the dog biting or acting viciously, the dog owner is accountable for any damages sustained by the bite victim. Several local regulations also cover dog assaults and irresponsible dog ownership. These can include defining and prohibiting particular harmful breeds, imposing penalties, and deciding whether or not the dog in question should be exterminated.

A dog owner whose dog has bitten or assaulted someone may face criminal prosecution in certain circumstances.

Why Do You Need a Dog Bites Attorney?

When you need compensation for a dog bite injury, filing a claim is the best method to receive it. On the other hand, dealing with insurance companies comes with a slew of roadblocks meant to keep you from getting a fair payout. To safeguard their earnings, adjusters will look for grounds to deny your claim. Even minor filing errors might cause the insurance provider to doubt the authenticity of your claim.

To ensure that you have the most excellent possible opportunity of getting compensation, you should engage with an experienced dog bites attorney. Your attorney will assist you in making a strong claim by obtaining evidence to back up your claim. They will gather testimonies and documentation from medical professionals, law enforcement officials, and witnesses using various tools. Finally, they’ll assist you in avoiding filing errors and missing deadlines that may compromise your entitlement to reimbursement.

It can be difficult and time-consuming to file a dog bite injury claim. Working with a knowledgeable dog bites attorney, on the other hand, will take care of all of the challenging tasks for you. You may relax and heal while your dog bites attorney takes care of the critical elements of your case.

How Can Our Skilled Dog Bites Attorney Help With Dog Bite Accident in Indiana?

Before going forward with compensation claims and litigation, our skilled and dedicated dog bites attorney will work with our clients to establish the facts and develop a compelling case. We understand how insurance companies work, but we don’t give up. Our experienced dog bites attorney will assist you with your dog bite case by doing the following tasks:

Initial Consultation

Before going forward with compensation claims and litigation, our skilled and dedicated dog bites attorney will work with our clients to establish the facts and develop a compelling case. We understand how insurance companies work, but we don’t give up. Our experienced dog bites attorney will assist you with your dog bite case by doing the following tasks:

Establishing Liability

Following our conversation and more investigation, we’ll determine culpability and who is to blame for your injuries, as well as the appropriate course of action.

Building Your Case

We put your case together. We’ll make sure your case is as strong as it can be, and we’ll constantly think forward by anticipating any obstacles and striving to overcome them as early as possible, thanks to our extensive legal knowledge and decades of expertise.

Delivering Justice

Our experienced dog bites attorney will begin demanding compensation from those responsible. We compute compensation based on the cost of your medical care, the trauma you experienced, and any lost wages resulting from the accident. We will do everything possible to justify your claims.

How Can Our Skilled Dog Bites Attorney Help With Dog Bite Accident in Indiana?

Those bitten by a dog may have a variety of severe injuries, scars, and mental discomfort. Dog-related injuries may necessitate extended hospital stays, as well as expensive follow-up checks with doctors, rehabilitation sessions, and medicines. A skilled dog bites attorney may be able to get considerable monetary compensation on your behalf, which may be utilized to help pay for these costs.

A competent dog bites attorney is familiar with the many procedures required for a successful conclusion in a dog bite injury case. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations into all aspects of the case and gather evidence to back up your claim. You must engage a successful dog bites attorney following your injuries as quickly as possible. They will be able to answer all of your concerns about dog bite legislation and give you practical and insightful legal guidance. Call our personal injury attorneys handling dog bites injuries at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC so we can help you as soon as possible. 

testimonial

I was charged with an OWI in Elkhart County and Eric was my first call. He was very helpful and personable throughout the entire process. I certainly appreciated his honesty and professionalism. Eric is definitely well experienced in handling these matters. Thanks to his help and guidance, we were able to have all of our necessary steps done before going to court that helped to retain driving privileges. The judge even remarked at how well the case had been managed during the hearing. With Eric's help, I was able to obtain specialized driving privileges very promptly. I am still able to tend to my life's responsibilities and my work. I would highly recommend Eric to anyone else needing help with OWI/DUI charges.

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