If you’ve been bitten by a dog, it’s important to act quickly to protect your health and financial situation. Dog bites can cause serious personal injuries and significant medical costs, which the dog’s owner should be held responsible for. As soon as the injury occurs, take these steps, below.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

1. Seek Medical Care

Even a minor bite needs prompt medical attention to prevent infection and disease. Seeking medical care first is the best option for your health and will help you demonstrate damages when you file a personal injury claim.

2. Call Animal Services

A dog that has bitten and injured a human is often a threat to other people, and there are procedures in place for protecting the public. Notify animal control to create an official record of the incident, which you’ll need for the case.

3. Get the Owner’s Information

Depending on how seriously you are injured and who else is with you during the incident, you may be able to get the owner’s information as you wait for medical care or you may need to wait until after the bite is treated. Either way, make sure you have a way to identify the dog’s owner—and to serve papers if necessary.

4. Gather Evidence

As soon as you can after the incident, have someone take pictures of the injury, the dog, and the scene of the bite. Factors like broken or insufficient fencing should be documented thoroughly, as they likely contributed to the situation. If there were any witnesses, get contact information for them, as well.

5. Get an Attorney

Take your medical bills, animal services reports, and photographs to a personal injury attorney. They will determine whether you have a claim and what the best way to pursue it is. It is possible to file a suit yourself, but without legal advice, you are more likely to lose even if the claim has merit.

If you’ve experienced a dog bite or other personal injury, contact the attorneys at Neimark & Neimark in New City, NY. They are available by phone at any hour of the day to help with your case. They are familiar with all types of injury cases and make sure clients throughout Rockland and Orange counties get the compensation they deserve. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 725-7424. Visit their website to learn more about this law firm.