Dog attacks often result in serious injuries. They can also be incredibly traumatizing, leaving victims feeling frazzled in the immediate aftermath and long afterwards.
Unfortunately, dog bite injuries are more common than you might think. Though most dogs you meet on a daily basis are friendly and well behaved, some are not. And even the best behaved pets can be unpredictable and skittish at times, which may lead them to become more aggressive and inspire them to bite.
As a result, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in a situation where you or a loved one has been attacked or bitten by a dog.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Injury in New York
If you receive a dog bite injury, it is recommended that you immediately seek medical attention and report the incident to the police or animal control agency.
After seeking medical attention and making a report, an individual seeking to make a claim should do the following:
- Obtain the name and other contact information of the dog owner;
- Take photographs of your injuries;
- Retain any clothing damaged by the dog;
- Obtain contact information from any witnesses;
- Do not admit fault or accept a settlement from the dog owner’s insurance company.
Learn more about 6 key steps you should take after you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog here.
Recovering For Your Injuries After a NY Dog Bite Injury
In order to recover against the owner of a dog (or the property owner where the dog is kept), you must be able to prove that the dog owner or property owner “knew or should have known” of the “vicious propensities” of the dog. Unfortunately, this is difficult to prove in some cases. For this reason, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced dog bite personal injury attorney to help you pursue your case.
An Upstate NY dog bite attorney can help you to understand your rights and help you navigate the complexities of pursuing the compensation you deserve from the responsible party. If you have been seriously injured by a dog attack and you feel that someone else’s negligence contributed to the incident, be sure to contact a personal injury attorney well versed in dog bite injuries right away.
Need a New York Dog Bite Attorney? You’ve Come To The Right Place.
At Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto, we’ve been serving clients in Albany, Saugerties, Johnstown and the surrounding areas for decades. We handle personal injury cases of all kinds and know what it takes to get our clients the compensation they are entitled to. Our history of successful verdicts and settlements speaks for itself. We’d love to put our expertise to work for you.
Our team of experienced lawyers are skilled in handling the complexities of dog bite cases. We can help you understand your rights, pursue compensation for your injuries, and get you back on your feet.
You don’t have to struggle through this time alone. If you or a family member has been bitten and seriously injured by a dog, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Maynard O’Connor Smith & Catalinotto.
Give us a call at (800) 721-3553 or contact us online to schedule a free case review.
Additional Dog Bite Injury Resources:
How to Prevent Dog Bite Injuries – There are a number of steps you can take to avoid a dog bite injury. Find out how to protect yourself if you’re confronted by a dog who appears ready to attack.
Leash Laws in New York State – Contrary to what many believe, New York does not have a state-wide leash law. Instead, leash laws are determined by municipality. Learn about leash laws in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and other communities throughout Upstate NY.
Dog Bite Attorneys Serving Upstate NY – Learn about your rights following a dog bite injury and find out how working with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer can be in your best interest as you’re working to pursue compensation from the responsible party.
Editor’s Note: This content was originally published in 2014 but has been updated as of October 2018.
