What Should You Do After a Dog Bite in Michigan?

Getting bitten by a dog can be a terrifying experience. In addition, dog bites can cause extremely serious injuries, including nerve damage, infections, and even traumatic amputations. In severe cases, victims’ lives may never be the same. Fortunately, Michigan is a strict liability dog bite state, which means that people whose dogs bite others are typically liable for the losses victims suffer. Notable exceptions include when a person provokes a dog or is trespassing on someone else’s property.

Unfortunately, compensation does not magically appear in your mailbox after a dog bite. In fact, there are certain steps that you need to take in order to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve under the law. These steps include the following:

Seek Medical Attention

It is critical to seek medical attention after a dog bite incident. Dog bites can often require significant medical treatment, including stitches, treatment with antibiotics, or even surgery. The sooner you get the treatment you need, the better your outcome will likely be. In addition, seeking medical treatment will create a record of the incident that you can use as evidence of your damages.

Importantly, you should do everything you can to verify the dog’s vaccination status as soon as you can, as whether a dog is up to date on its shots can have a significant impact on the steps your healthcare professional takes.

Collect and Keep Documentation

You should keep any documentation you receive from your healthcare provider and ask for a copy of their report. In addition, you should document your injuries as well as your recovery. Take pictures of your injuries from various angles so that their severity is clear. In addition, keep a journal about how your injuries are affecting you. Things to take note of include pain you experience, trouble sleeping, or everyday tasks you are unable to complete.

Do Not Accept a Settlement

You may be contacted shortly after a dog bite by the animal’s owner or the owner’s insurance company with a settlement offer. Do not accept it before talking to a lawyer. These quick offers are often grossly inadequate and are an attempt to get victims to sign away their rights before they realize the actual value of their cases. The best way to determine what your case is really worth is to discuss your options with a dog bite lawyer as soon as you can after an attack occurs.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer

If you have suffered injuries caused by a dog bite, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for every client we represent and will never hesitate to take a case to trial if it is in your best interest. To schedule a consultation with a dog bite attorney in Michigan, call us today or contact us online.