Even nice dogs can attack friends, family and neighbors if provoked. If you receive a dog bite and want to know what to do next, you should make an appointment with both a doctor and a lawyer.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Even if your neighbor has a friendly dog that wags its tail when it sees you, you never know when that dog might feel threatened and attack or bite you. Though you might worry about what will happen to the dog, you should also worry about what can happen to you. You need to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Gather Medical Evidence and Other Proof

As soon as you receive a dog bite, you should seek medical treatment. If you cannot see your doctor, visit the nearest emergency room. The doctor can sanitize and disinfect the wound, stitch the wound closed, wrap the bite and send you home with aftercare instructions. Hold onto any paperwork received. You should also gather other evidence of the bite, including images of the bite and statements from witnesses who were at the scene.

Consult With a Lawyer

Consulting with a personal injury lawyer should be your next step. The lawyer will likely recommend that you file a police report and let the police investigate the incident. This provides you with proof as to whether the dog was up to date on its shots or if the owners registered the dog. Your lawyer can then file a lawsuit to get compensation for the cost of your doctor’s appointment, any lost wages from work and even the cost of seeing a therapist to move past the incident.

Serious Injuries

A dog bite can be a serious injury that breaks through the skin and leaves you with a scar. It can also leave behind emotional scars that prevent you from being around other dogs. Some dogs are large enough that they can break bones or do serious damage when biting a human. No matter how serious your injuries are, you should talk to a doctor and lawyer.