Being bitten by a dog can be terrifying and painful; even a small dog bite can cause an infection. It’s important to make all the right moves after a dog bites you to protect yourself and maintain any legal rights. You need to know what to do after a dog bites, and the steps include:
Clean the Wound and Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after a dog bite, the wound needs to be cleaned. You should use hot water and soap. Use a clean, dry cloth to apply pressure and staunch the flow of blood. If the bite pierced the skin, there is a chance that bacteria from the dog’s mouth have entered your bloodstream. You need to seek immediate medical care. It’s possible that you might need stitches, vaccinations, and antibiotics to ensure you don’t develop an infection from the injury.
Identify the Dog and Get Owner Information
Once your immediate medical needs are met, you need to identify the dog and obtain the owner’s information. The owners should have the dog’s medical history and know if the animal’s rabies vaccination is up to date. You may need to talk to your neighbors or others who saw the accident to find out who owns the dog. The owners might be wary of speaking with you, and you might consider taking a friend with you.
Report the Incident to Local Animal Control
Aggressive dogs that bite either have a history of this type of behavior or may continue this type of misbehavior in the future. With the owner’s information in hand, you need to contact your local animal control and report the incident. You might feel bad for the owners or the dog, but an incident report can help keep others safe from the dog in the future and require the owners to work with the dog on its behavior or keep the animal away from the public.
Document Injuries and Keep Medical Records
You need to document your injuries as soon as you’re bitten. Start by taking photos with your phone. After you’ve been to urgent care and received the treatment you needed, you can start a file. You should take a sheet of paper or open a blank document on your computer, note the date and time of the accident, the circumstances, any witnesses, and the injuries you received. Ask the treatment facility for a copy of your medical records.
Understanding Arizona Dog Bite Liability Laws
According to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 11-1025, the dog’s owner is responsible for any injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more when their dog bites someone in public or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s property (such as a guest or a public servant checking meters). Arizona is a strict liability state, meaning it doesn’t matter if the owners were previously aware of the fact that the dog would bite or not; there is no “one free bite” rule. The only common defenses in Arizona are if the victim was trespassing or if the victim provoked the dog.
How a Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You File a Claim
Many times, the dog owners allow their homeowner’s insurance to cover the liability in relation to a bite. A dog bite attorney represents you in all dealings with the insurance company. They can file a lawsuit to protect the liability claim. If you need to go to court, they’ll interview witnesses and take care of the trial prep. In court, your attorney represents your interests and ensures your side of the story is heard. It’s important to act quickly as Arizona has a one-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit under its strict liability dog bite statute, though a two-year limit may apply for negligence claims.
If You've Been Bitten by a Dog, Contact Kwasman Law
At Kwasman Law, our team understands the ins and outs of Arizona liability laws, and we want to partner with you to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation.
