While it is easy to believe that all dogs are good-natured and kind-spirited, you may be attacked by one when you least expect it. Read on to discover the common signs of a dog attack to look out for and how a seasoned Washington, D.C. dog bite lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you pursue legal action.
What are warning signs that a dog might attack me?
When it comes to dogs, there is something known as vicious propensities; this is seen when a dog has been reported to police officers, animal control officers, or otherwise their owner about their rather violent behavior. Below are warning signs that a dog may have vicious propensities and potentially attack you:
- The dog has had a history of bearing their teeth when approached by people.
- The dog has had a history of chasing people or animals.
- The dog has had a history of attacking people without biting.
- The dog has a history of damaging or destroying property.
- The dog otherwise has a history of creating a reasonable apprehension of a threat to a human.
Not only might these signs be important to look out for safety-wise, but they may be a pivotal argument to make in your injury claim. That is, you may argue that the dog owner knew, or should have reasonably known, that their pet had a track record of poor behavior. Or, you may argue that the dog owner was negligent in properly supervising or controlling their pet given these circumstances. Therefore, they should be held strictly liable for their dog’s behavior and ultimate attack against you.
What should I do after an attack?
Your health should always come first. This is why, immediately after your dog attack, you must seek medical attention. You may have to get treatment for rabies, along with other medical care. This may be accomplished by first calling law enforcement to the scene of your accident; as they may dispatch an ambulance on your behalf.
While a law enforcement officer is at the scene, you should file a report with them so that the dog’s behavior is put on record. You may then request a copy of this accident report, as it may come in handy for your future claim.
All the while, you should be taking photos of your injuries and the dog in question. This should be done along with collecting the contact information of the dog owner. It is also worthwhile to speak with present witnesses, as they may recount how the dog has attacked people in the past or has otherwise exhibited vicious propensities for the weeks, months, or even years preceding your attack.
In conclusion, you cannot ignore your potential dog bite accident claim for much longer. Instead, you must retain the services of a competent Washington, D.C. injury lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP today.