Steps to Take Immediately after a Dog Bite
If someone else’s dog bites you, it’s important to act quickly. Dog bites can develop into very serious health concerns, which makes obtaining the medical care you need key. Dog bite claims also involve challenging legal intricacies that are important to address early on. An experienced Tennessee dog bite attorney at Raybin & Weissman will leave no stone unturned on your behalf.
Act Quickly
If another person’s dog attacks and bites you, it’s time to take action. This includes asking for the dog owner’s contact information, getting checked out by a medical professional, and consulting with a compassionate dog bite lawyer.
Call the Authorities
If you remain in immediate danger following the attack, call 911. The emergency responders will help protect you from further danger by securing the scene. They will also offer emergency medical care and emergency transportation to medical services, which you are advised to accept.
Even if emergency services are not required, however, you should file an official report with the local police department or animal control when you’re able to do so. This helps establish the specific details of your claim, which can improve your chances of prevailing. Your actions could also help protect others from the aggressive animal in question.
Seek the Medical Care You Need
It is important to keep in mind that dog bites are closely associated with serious infections that can quickly worsen. Further, dogs tear and gnash when they bite, which leads to far more complicated wounds than clean cuts.
When dogs attack, they often latch onto their victims’ hands, which can do immense damage to this intricate web of muscles and tendons. With early medical intervention, you help pave the way for a more complete recovery.
Consult with a Diligent Dog Bite Attorney
Tennessee’s dog bite laws combine both strict liability and what is commonly called the one bite law. Suppose you were on public property or were legally on private property when it bit; strict liability applies. This means that the pet’s owner can be held legally liable for not keeping their dog under reasonable control – even if it had never shown signs of aggression or had bitten anyone before.
The one-bite law does, however, apply in those situations in which the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s residential property at the time. In such cases, claimants must prove that the dog owners either knew or reasonably should have known about their pets’ dangerously aggressive tendencies.
Exceptions to the Rule
The only instances when strict liability or the one-bite law doesn’t apply include the following:
- The victim provoked the dog.
- The victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s private, nonresidential property.
- The dog was securely confined in a kennel or crate.
Turn to an Experienced Tennessee Dog Bite Lawyer for the Help You Need
The persuasive Tennessee dog bite attorneys at Raybin & Weissman appreciate just how significant the losses related to dog bites can be and are committed to skillfully pursuing your claim’s best possible resolution. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 615-256-6666 today.