Being attacked by a dog can be both severe and traumatizing. It is important to seek medical treatment right away to make sure your wounds don’t get infected. In this article, we will discuss what to do after a dog bite to make sure your rights are protected. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about dog bite injury claims.
What to Do After a Dog Bite | Seek Medical Attention
In a situation in which a dog is loose and encounters another person, knocking that person down, biting the person, or otherwise causing an injury, the injured party must first seek medical attention. Hospital personnel will later ask the injured party if he or she thinks that the attacking dog was up to date on vaccinations and shots—especially rabies and distemper.
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What to Do After a Dog Bite | Gather Evidence
If the person is injured but can gather information at the scene, he or she should obtain as much information possible about the dog and its owner. The owner can be held responsible for all the injuries caused in the attack if it can be shown that the dog had a propensity for certain aggressive behaviors and that propensity can be demonstrated.
What to Do After a Dog Bite | One-Bite Rule
New York State has specific legislation regarding liability in dog bite cases: the one-bite rule. This law dictates that a dog owner cannot be held responsible for her or his dog biting another human being unless the dog has bitten another person before. If it can be proven that the dog had a vicious propensity and that the owner knew of this propensity, the owner should have been more careful of the dog’s interactions with other people. Physical examples of the owner’s prior knowledge include “Beware of dog” signs and fitting the dog with a muzzle while walking in public.
At Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC, our experienced Buffalo dog bite lawyers diligently investigate the responsibility of dog owners and their landlords. Information regarding these dogs is critical to reaching successful verdicts in dog bite cases. If you or a loved one is attacked by a dog, contact one of our experienced Buffalo dog bite lawyers for advice and strong representation.