Practice Areas

O'Bryan Blog

Library

Dog Bite Attorney

What should I do after I get bitten by a pit bull or other dog or animal?

Over 1,000 people go to the emergency room each day for dog bites. If you are bitten, here are some guidelines for what to do next.

1) You must identify the dog that bit you and try and find the owner. If it is a stray dog then you should think about getting treatment for rabies. If you can find the animal's owner, then you can probably get money to help pay your medical bills, cosmetic surgery, lost income, and pain and suffering. Try to get the name and address of the animal's owner and the dog's license number. Get the owner's homeowners insurance company.

2) Get the name and address or phone of any witnesses that saw the dog attack. It is very important to have a person to verify what happened during the attack. It is even better if you have more than one witness who can agree on the events.

3) Take pictures of your wounds as soon as possible. Include both scars and bruises. Pictures are the best way to indicate how bad your injuries are. As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words. It may be good to take pictures immediately after the attack and then some more pictures later of any remaining scars.

4) Get some medical help. Make sure you follow the doctors instructions completely and take all your medications and go to your follow-up appointments.

The doctor will let you know if he thinks you need rabies shots. Some places don't have much rabies, so the treatment may not be needed.

Plastic surgery may be needed, especially if there are wounds on the face. If you have facial injuries, you may want to see a plastic surgeon instead of an emergency room doctor. Plastic surgeons are better at preventing scarring, while an ER doctor specializes in keeping people alive.

5) Get a lawyer to help you before you talk to the dog owner's insurance company. You should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after you are bitten, while the facts are still fresh in your mind. It is important to document what happened as completely as possible. Your lawyer will let you know what information is most important.

6) Never sign any forms from the dog owner's insurance company, the dog owner, a landlord or other person who may be responsible for the dog or animal attack. It is best not to even talk to any of those people about what happened. Anything you say could be used against you during your claim.

The insurance adjuster is not trying to help you get more money. The adjuster is trying to wreck your case and keep you from getting as much money as you deserve for your injuries.

7) Be aware of the statute of limitations in your dog bite case. A lawyer can tell you what the statute of limitations is in your particular case. If you wait too long to get compensation for your injuries, you might not get any money at all.

O’Bryan Law Firm is located in Richmond, VA, and serves the following counties, cities and towns:

Richmond: Church Hill, The Fan District, Near West end, Far West End, Jackson Ward, Carver, Southside, North side, Barton Heights, Bellevue, Ginter Park, Washington Park, Hermitage Rd, Highland Park, Sherwood Park, East End, Carytown, Museum District, Court End, Fulton Hill, Manchester, Newtowne West, Oregon Hill, Randolph, The River District, Shockoe Bottom, Three Corners District, Tobacco Row, Shockoe Slip, Union Hill, Westover Hills, Forest Hill, Bon Air, Stratford Hills, Meadowbrook, Woodland Heights, Montrose Heights, Fairfield Court, Creighton Court, Whitcomb Court, Mosby Court, Eastview, Brauers, Peter Paul, Woodville, North Church Hill, Chimborazo, Brandermill, and Oakwood. Henrico County: Chamberlayne, Dumbarton, East Highland Park, Glen Allen, Highland Springs, Lakeside, Laurel, Montrose, Short Pump, Tuckahoe, Wyndham, Sandston, Varina, Westhampton. Chesterfield County: Bellwood, Belmont, Bon Air, Brandermill, Chester, Courthouse, Enon, Ettrick, Genito, Gordon, Harrowgate, Hening, Jefferson Davis North, Manchester, Matoaca, Meadowbrook, Midlothian, Reams, Robiou, Rockwood, Salisbury, South Rockwood, Spring Run, Winterpock, Woodlake. Hanover County: Ashland, Atlee, Beaverdam, Doswell, Elmont, Hanover Courthouse, Mechanicsville, Montpelier, Old Church, Rockville. Petersburg. South Boston. Colonial Heights. Hopewell. South Hill. Farmville. Powhatan County: Ballsville, Beaumont, Belona, Chestnut Oaks, Clayville, Dorset, Fin Creek Mills, Flat Rock, Genito, Goode Crossing, Hatchers, Hideaway Lake, Holly Hills, Huguenot, Huguenot Springs, Jefferson, Lilburn, Macon, Michaux, Moseley, Pilkinton, Plain View, Powhatan, Provost, Red Lane, Smiths Crossroads, Subletts, Tobaccoville, Trenholm, Worshams. Amelia County: Amelia Courthouse, Winterham. Caroline County: Bowling Green, Port Royal Mecklenburg County: Boydton, Brodnax, Chase City, Clarksville, La Crosse, Bracey. Halifax County: Clarksville, Halifax, Scottsburg, Virginia, Clover, Cluster Springs, Cody, Nathalie, Omega, Turbeville, Vernon Hill. Lunenburg County: Kenbridge, Victoria, Lunenburg, Meherrin. Prince Edward County: Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect, Hampden Sydney, Meherrin, Rice. Nottaway County: Blackstone, Burkeville, Crewe, Nottoway.