Dogs are often considered to be the best pets due to their loyalty, obedience, and companionship. When considering a dog, one danger that can sometimes be overlooked is the chances of sustaining an injury from a dog bite. In the United States, around 4.5 million dog bites occur each year, resulting in 850,000 victims requiring medical attention, and 27,000 victims requiring reconstructive surgery.

Dog bite attacks can occur for a number of reasons. In some instances, an attack can be due to a puppy nipping at someone because it is in a teething stage. Other dog bites can be from a strange dog in the street. Getting attacked by a dog can be a traumatizing experience. Dog bites can result in damage to the skin, muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. In some instances, depending on the dog's medical history and the severity of the injuries sustained, it can even lead to infections.

If you suffer injures from a dog bite, there are urgent steps you need to take within 48 hours after the attack. Following a dog bite attack, you should first take care of your wounds. During this traumatic time, there are certain things you should do, and certain things you should avoid doing. If you are attacked by a dog, here are five things you should do 48 hours following the attack.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

First and foremost, you need to seek proper medical attention and care for your injuries. If your skin has been broken by the dog's teeth, or you have been scratched, it is crucial that you seek medical attention at the emergency room of a hospital as soon as possible. If you have a prominent bite or potential scar, you should demand treatment from a plastic surgeon.

Collect Information

If the dog that bit you has an owner, there is a high chance that you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. You should obtain the name, address, and insurance information of the dog owner. If applicable, you should also get the name and address of the people that had custody of the dog at the time of the attack, and any witnesses in the area. If a stray dog bit you, it is crucial that you call animal control immediately so they can attempt to capture the dog. You should also call 911 as soon as possible, so you can undergo rabies vaccinations.

Contact the Authorities

An important step is contacting the police or local agency that is in charge of animal control in your area. Doing so will ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out on your case. It will also help to clarify the dog's medical history. It is beneficial to know if the dog is up to date with all vaccinations. In some cases, contacting the authorities is also necessary because the dog that bit you may need to be quarantined. Lastly, the authorities will also make sure that the owner of the dog that bit you takes the necessary steps to prevent their dog from attacking another person again.

Document Your Injuries

You most likely will be entitled to receive compensation from the dog's owner, so it is important that you document your injuries. When it is safe to do so, you should take photographs of your wounds before you are treated.

Get Legal Advice

Many victims make the mistake of talking to the insurance company of the dog owner. If you are a victim of a dog bite attack and the insurance company contacts you, you should avoid discussing all details of your case. Do not discuss money, payments, settlements, or the value of your case. Additionally, you should not allow any recordings to be made, and you should not accept any money. Insurance companies have big teams of experts who are trained to make sure the insurance company pays you the least amount of money for your injuries.

Dog bite cases are difficult to handle without the assistance of an experienced attorney. Seeking legal advice is the best way to ensure that your rights are fully protected. An experienced Connecticut dog bite attorney that specializes in cases like yours will ensure that your case is fully developed. There are a number of things that need to be done very early on in your case, which is why it is crucial that you contact an experienced Connecticut dog bite attorney as soon as you can.

Our Connecticut dog bite injury lawyers have decades of experience in representing dog bite injury victims in Connecticut. If you were injured by a dog bite, call our team of experienced Connecticut dog bite lawyers today. Call 888-244-5480 to schedule a free consultation with our team. Let us take care of all the hard work, so you can focus on getting better.