What to do after a dog bite
The steps you take after a dog bite can mean the difference between getting fair compensation for your injuries and suffering in silence.
Call police or animal control
Calling the local police or animal control officer is a must after being bitten. They can investigate the incident while you seek medical attention for your injuries.
Sometimes, the aggressive dog isn’t known to the victim, and it can be challenging to locate the owner. That’s why it’s important to call the police or animal control quickly, so they can detain the animal until the owner is identified.
The police and animal control can also document conditions like holes in fences that allowed a dangerous dog to escape. You can use this information to seek fair compensation for your injuries.
Seek medical attention
Your health and safety are a top priority after a dog bite. After calling the police or animal control, seek medical attention immediately. In addition to needing wound care, you may require the rabies vaccine if the dog that attacked you is unknown to you or has an unverified vaccination status.
After receiving medical care, report the incident to the local authorities. Hospital personnel may ask if you want to call the police while you’re in their care to report the incident. If they don’t, make sure you follow up on your own.
Hire an Albuquerque dog bite lawyer
Lastly, contact an attorney to ensure your rights are protected. Dog bite cases can be extraordinarily complex. Even when the owner of a dog is clearly at fault, obtaining compensation for your injuries can be difficult.
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How to establish dog bite liability
Working with a personal injury attorney with experience and expertise in New Mexico dog bite injury laws is the most effective way to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Under New Mexico dog bite laws, dog owners are liable for damages directly caused by their pets under a strict liability standard.
The City of Albuquerque also has an ordinance known as “Angels Law” that specifically addresses dog bites. Formerly known as section 9-17-1, the ordinance states that, “owners who allow their dangerous dogs to run loose in the city or fail to safely and humanely restrain those dogs on the property are criminally and civilly liable for the harm those dogs cause.”
Our experienced dog bite injury attorneys can determine liability and build a strong case for your dog bite personal injury claim.
Compensation available to dog bite victims
If you’ve suffered a dog bite injury, you may be entitled to compensation. In many cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance provides some coverage for dog bite injuries. However, most insurance policies have limits and exclusions.
An experienced personal injury attorney can analyze available coverage and identify other sources of compensation for damages such as:
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering