For a victim of a dog bite, the immediate actions to take are obvious. Get medical care, call 911 if it is serious, and file a police report. From there, knowing what to do after a dog bite starts by calling a North Charleston dog bite lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, who can guide you through recovering the damages you have.
The Importance of Contacting an Attorney
For victims of a dog bite, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your right to compensation is to contact a dog bite attorney, one with local experience with dog bite laws. Note that in South Carolina, victims of an animal attack can seek legal compensation against the dog’s owner for any and all losses they suffer, but it is up to you to prove what occurred. To do so, your attorney will help you in the following ways:
- Prove you did not provoke the dog: One of the few reasons why a dog owner may not be held responsible for the injuries their dog causes is because of provocation of the pet in any way by the person who suffered the injury.
- Determine if you had the right to be where you were hurt: To do this, you must show that you were legally allowed to be where you were at the time of the dog bite, such as showing that you were invited onto the property or that the dog attacked you in a public area.
- Prove that you suffered damages: Your attorney will also help you document all of the losses you have in this case and work to estimate the value. You must be able to show that you suffered damages that required medical care or other financial support.
Proving you are owed compensation for a dog bite does not have to be challenging with the help of a local attorney. Yet, without legal guidance, you may make some simple mistakes that could cost you in the long term. Let our dog bite lawyer in South Carolina help you to know what to do after a dog bite accident and read through our client testimonials to see how we have helped people just like you.
What You Can Do After a Dog Bite to Protect Your Case
It is always wise to get medical care and report the accident to the police by creating a report and seeking out legal guidance. For many people, that should be the focus of what they do after a dog bite. However, there are several additional steps you can take that may help you to build a strong case.
- Take photos: Take photos if it is safe to do so. That includes the area, the dog, your wounds, and any type of evidence that could support your claim. Document your injury recovery with photos as well.
- Write a statement: As soon as you can do so safely, take the time to document what happened to you. This includes writing down or recording yourself stating what happened, with as much detail as possible. This can serve as an important piece of evidence later.
- Continue with medical care: Get all of the medical care your doctor recommends. This includes completing therapy and rehabilitation if it is recommended.
- Start a journal: A simple journal that allows you to track your pain and suffering, emotional well-being, and overall financial losses can also be a helpful piece of evidence for victims later.
- Avoid social media use about your accident: Anything you post on social media could be used against you. Leave all photos, statements, and updates on your condition or what you are doing off of any social media website.
Taking these steps enables you to do all you can to show what happened to you, demonstrate all of your losses, and build a strong case should you need to go to trial. Most often, with the help of a dog bite attorney, you will not have to do that. Yet, know that your lawyer is there to minimize that risk while also maximizing the compensation owed to you.
Know the Laws on South Carolina Dog Bites
As a victim, you may not be sure what your rights are in this type of accident. However, under the South Carolina Code of Laws § 47-3-110, you have the right to hold the dog owner accountable for the injuries their pet causes. The law does not provide a one-bite rule, which means even if the dog has not shown any type of aggressive behavior in the past, the owner still maintains responsibility for the injuries they cause.
Victims of dog bites cannot provoke the dog in any way, and they cannot trespass, but they can be victims no matter where it occurs as long as they are legally allowed to be there. For example, the dog may have attacked you on your property, in a public park, at the dog park, or even in the owner’s home. Dog bites and attacks that cause serious injury are always taken seriously, no matter the type of dog (breed and size are not restricted).
As a victim, know the importance of seeking full compensation for these losses, which includes not only losses related to your medical bills and lost time at work but also potentially noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering and emotional trauma. Work with your dog bite attorney to verify all of the ways this incident is impacting your health, mental well-being, ability to work, and quality of life. The law provides a means for you to comprehensively recover all of the damages you have suffered, which can be seen in our prior case results.
Turn to a Local Dog Bite Attorney to Know What to Do After a Dog Bite Happens to You
Victims of a dog bite should never brush off their needs for emergency care or legal guidance in navigating the claims process. By working with a dog bite attorney from the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, you gain an advocate that will do whatever it takes to hold those who hurt you accountable, and that means maximizing the claims you find. Contact us now for a free consultation to discuss what to do after a dog bite.
