Dogs are very common pets in the United States, and in most cases, they are friendly and harmless to humans. However, they are still animals, and the possibility that they may snap and act erratically is high. When such an incident occurs, you need to act fast to mitigate some medical problems and deal with legal and financial consequences.

Some dog bite injuries are minor and can be handled with simple first-aid practices, but others can be significant and require immediate medical attention. These may also determine the overall medical cost and, in certain cases, the cost of compensation awarded to the victim. Legal experts on Virginia law who deal with dog bite cases say that dog owners should be held responsible if they harm others.

What Should You Do If a Dog Bites You

1. Assess the Situation and Injuries

The first step before any other action is to get first aid on the wound. Assess the wound to know if it is small or severe and then follow the dog bite first aid procedure:

Clean the wound with soap and warm water for 5 minutes.

With a clean cloth, apply pressure on the wound to stop bleeding.

Wrap the wound loosely with a bandage.

Seek medical advice.

2. Contact Animal Control

Your attack may have come from an unfamiliar dog which could be dangerous to other people, hence the need to have animal control remove it from the vicinity. Even if you know the dog, the circumstances that led to its change in behavior could require specialists. They could help you get the dog if it ran away, identify the dog and its history of attack if it has any and provide you with expert advice for dealing with dog bites.

Having animal control looking into the incident can help you when you decide to file a personal injury claim because they will provide the documentation you need. They will have the details of the incident written down and have access to witnesses that could help your case.

3. Go to the Hospital

Even if the wound seems minor and you think there is no need to seek medical help, a dog bite can become severe if left untreated. First, the bite may be deeper than it appears to be and require a doctor’s assessment. Secondly, you might require vaccines to prevent diseases caused by dog bites such as tetanus, rabies, and other pathogens.

Going to the hospital also helps you document your injuries for future injury claims. Photos of the wound, medical report and other entries could be very useful for legal purposes.

4. Get Legal Help

Seek the services of a personal injury lawyer when you suffer from severe injuries and cannot go to work following the attack. The liability may fall on the dog owner or the city; therefore, you might want to seek legal advice to know your option. The lawyer is an expert and is conversant with the laws in your state regarding dog bites.

Depending on your state, the dog may have a free pass if it has never attacked anyone before. The law may also place full blame on the owner even if the dog has attacked someone before. Call a lawyer and weigh your options before admitting guilt or downplaying your injuries.

Know Your Rights After a Dog Bite

Your rights depend on your home state, and a personal injury attorney can help you determine what you deserve. If you follow the steps provided and have enough documentation to prove your claim, getting a settlement is easy. You might also ask your lawyer because, in some cases, criminal charges are a possibility.