A male German shepherd bites a man by the hand.
Sometimes a fluffy wagging tail and a dog’s smile can be the highlight of your day. It only takes one encounter with a dangerous dog, though, to end up with a serious bite.
Dog bite injuries are nothing to blow off. They require medical attention and rabies vaccines.
In some cases, they can lead to severe infections too. None of this is free for a bite victim, but how do you get the dog’s owner to pay for the cost?
The first step is hiring the right dog bite lawyer. The second step is knowing how to prepare for your first meeting with that lawyer. Here are some of the essentials you need to bring.
What to Bring to Your Dog Bite Lawyer Appointment
While your lawyer can do some investigating of their own, there’s certain information only you can provide. Bring these five things to your first meeting.
Photos of the Injury
Remember the Seinfeld episode in which Kramer’s coffee burn healed too fast for his lawsuit against the coffee shop? The whole headache would have been avoided if he’d taken pictures of the injury.
Take photos of your injury as soon as possible after it happens. Make sure you take photos before a doctor has treated you.
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Medical Records
Dog bites tend to have tell-tale puncture patterns, but not always. In your medical records from the emergency room or other medical visit, your doctor should document that they were treating a dog bite injury.
These records provide expert testimony that a dog caused your injury. It’s important to have that documentation even if you have a picture of the bite.
Medical Bills
For your lawyer to know how much money to request for your dog bite lawsuit, they’ll need your medical bills.
Make sure you have all applicable medical bills. This includes ambulance rides, follow-up visits, medications, and more.
Names of Everyone Involved
For your lawyer to file a lawsuit, they need to know who to sue. Bring as much information as you can about the dog’s owner, like their name and contact information.
Sometimes you might not know the owner. Try to get their name at the scene of the bite. If you can’t, get as much information about the dog as possible, like the breed, size, and any history of aggression.
On top of the dog and the owner, bring the names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the bite.
Your Own Memories
Memories fade in a hurry and chances are that you won’t meet with your attorney for at least a few days after the bite happens. To preserve your memories, write down as much as you can remember on the day of the bite.
Get as detailed as you can. Note the time of the incident, the location, and whether the dog was on a leash. If possible, ask witnesses to do the same.
Bring all this to your meeting with your lawyer.
Healing Your Wallet After a Dog Bite
Whether you’re a lifelong dog lover or you’re not a fan, not every encounter with a dog is a good one. A dog bite can take a serious bite out of your finances, and it’s the dog’s owner’s responsibility to compensate you.
With the information above, a dog bite lawyer can make sure that happens. If you’re ready to schedule a meeting about your dog bite, reach out to our experienced legal team.
