Should You Contact The Owner Of The Dog After A Bite Before You Contact A Dog Bite Attorney?

If the dog’s owner is not present during the dog bite attack, do not attempt to contact them before you consult a dog bite attorney. It is important to ensure that you do not make any crucial legal mistakes while interacting with the defendant in a potential dog bite lawsuit.

 

Write down a detailed and clear description of the attacking dog and circumstances of the incident. If it is possible to do safely, determine whether the dog is wearing a collar with tags. Examine it for contact information, but only if the dog appears docile. There may be some risk involved in this action. Use your discretion, as this may be an important piece of evidence.

 

If the owner is at the scene of the incident, you will want to interact with them, as long as they are reasonable. Get their name and address. Most people will be cooperative, but if the dog owner is being elusive, your only chance for legal restitution may be at the scene of the dog attack. If they try to leave in order to avoid a lawsuit, use a camera phone to take a snapshot of their face. This may seem odd, but any evidence you can gather is better than none.

 

Speak with an experienced dog bite attorney first about your best legal options for recovering monetary compensation for your pain and suffering, and possible economic losses. Most times, the dog owner's insurance company will cover all monetary compensation for damages, particularly if you have a competent attorney.