A dog bite can be a traumatic and painful experience that leaves lasting physical and emotional scars. If you have been bitten by a dog in New Jersey, taking the right steps immediately after the attack can protect your health and your legal rights. Here is what you should do.
Step 1 — Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Dog bites can cause serious infections, nerve damage, and scarring. Seek medical attention immediately after a dog bite even if the wound seems minor. A doctor will clean and treat the wound properly and create an official record of your injuries which is essential for your legal case.
Step 2 — Identify the Dog and Its Owner
Get the name and contact information of the dog owner as well as the dog’s vaccination records if possible. Knowing whether the dog has been vaccinated against rabies is important for your medical treatment.
Step 3 — Report the Bite
Report the dog bite to your local animal control agency or health department. This creates an official record of the incident and helps protect others from being attacked by the same dog.
Step 4 — Document Your Injuries
Take photographs of your injuries immediately after the attack and continue photographing them as they heal. Visual documentation of the progression of your injuries can be powerful evidence in your case.
Step 5 — Gather Witness Information
If anyone witnessed the attack get their name and contact information. Eyewitness testimony can be very valuable in establishing what happened.
Step 6 — Do Not Negotiate Directly With the Owner’s Insurance Company
The dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance company may contact you with a quick settlement offer. Do not accept any offer or provide a recorded statement without first speaking to an attorney. Early settlement offers are almost always far less than what you are entitled to.
New Jersey Dog Bite Law
New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. This means that dog owners are legally responsible for injuries their dogs cause regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before. You do not need to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous — you simply need to show that the dog bit you while you were in a public place or lawfully on private property.
How Blaise Injury Law Can Help
At Blaise Injury Law we represent dog bite victims across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Attorney Blaise Richards understands New Jersey strict liability dog bite law and will fight to hold negligent dog owners fully accountable for the harm their animals cause.
If you have been injured in a dog bite attack contact Blaise Injury Law today for a free case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call (856) 340-5685 or visit our contact page to get started today.