Dogs are beloved pets, but sometimes, “man’s best friend” causes severe accidents and injuries when they mistake you or someone you know for their dinner. Dog bites can be devastating events that leave victims with lifelong effects. While dog bites can range from moderate to severe to life-threatening, it is critical to follow steps to ensure your health comes first. The important step to take following a dog bite is to seek medical attention and call 911. There are other steps you might want to consider taking with a Florida dog bite attorney after a dog bite accident so that you can protect your rights.
Identifying the dog and its owner can help ensure that you discover the responsible party for your injuries. You will want to get the name, address, and phone number of the dog owner, as well as the name, breed, and age of the dog itself.
Further, if there are any witnesses to the dog bite indicent, try to obtain their contact information. Witness statements can be powerful when reporting the accident to your local authorities.
Next, you will want to local authorities, namely the animal control agency, to describe what had happened. If you are unsure who to contact or are a family member of a dog bite victim, you can ask local enforcement who to contact in your area. Local law enforcement can then direct you to the best animal control agency to contact and report the incident.
For example, if you live in South Florida, the animal control agency in your area—such as Broward County Animal Control, Miami-Date Animal Services, or Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control—will be the point of authority to contact after a dog bite incident.
Your local animal control agency will then investigate the incident and ask you to fill out a form describing the facts surrounding the incident. Then, they will seek further information and determine whether the dog has a history of aggression and is updated on its vaccinations.
Another step after a dog bite incident is to document your injuries. Even though you have a record of medical care and information from a doctor’s visit, take pictures of your injuries. Any photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, or the dog that bit you will be important pieces of evidence in the event that you need to make a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. These items will become even more important if you take legal action against the dog owner to obtain compensation for your medical bills, and your pain and suffering.
There are a number of laws in various states that may apply to the 4.5 million dog bites that occur in the United States every year. Florida law states that a dog owner may be held liable for damages that arise from a dog bite in a public or private place, even if the dog did not previously have aggressive behavior. The Florida Statutes on negligence, dangerous dogs, and time limits, otherwise known as the Statutes of Limitations will also be relevant to your dog bite claim. An experienced Florida dog bite attorney—like those at Clayton Trial Lawyers—can provide you with the best and most up-to-date legal information.
If you have been injured by a dog in South Florida, it could be in your best interest to consult with a local attorney who has experience handling dog bite cases. An attorney can help protect your rights and better understand your legal options to pursue compensation for your injuries.
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