Have you been bitten by a dog? Are you frantic and don’t know what to do? Asking yourself, is there a dog bite lawyer near me?
Man’s best friend can provide companionship and enrich our lives in countless ways. Unfortunately, not every encounter with a dog result is friendly. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have seen the damage a dog attack can do to the body. We have the experience to make a difference when an animal strikes.
If you or a loved one are the victims of a dog bite, contact a top dog bite injury lawyer at Truitt Law Offices as soon as possible.
What Are Some Indiana Dog Bite Statistics?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 350,000 people are treated for severe dog bites in emergency rooms each year. About half of the victims are children under 14. About 30 people die each year from dog attacks. Again, about half of them are children.
Indiana recently ranked eighth in the nation for State Farm insurance claims for dog bites. The 109 claims that year totaled $4 million.
Shockingly, most dog bites happen on the owner’s property. Victims are typically friends or family of the owner. In most deadly cases, the victims were vulnerable because they were too young or old to fight off the dog. No one else was present to intervene. The dog was not spayed or neutered and was living at the property but was not a family pet.
What Dog Breeds are Involved in the Most Dog Bite Cases?
Any dog could potentially attack someone, but some breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. Some of the most common dog breeds associated with dog bite attacks include Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Huskies.
What are the Most Common Injuries Associated With Dog Bites in Indiana?
Dog bites can cause a variety of physical and emotional harm, such as:
- Diseases like rabies
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infection of dog bite wounds or scarring at the bite site
- Damage to hands, arms, or other limbs, including severed limbs, disfigurement, and broken bones
- Significant injuries, such as nerve damage, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injuries
- Scrapes and bruises
- Damage to eyes, vision, facial nerves, or tear ducts
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Muscle damage
- Emotional distress
No matter your injury, a lawyer can help get the money you need to pay for treatment. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney at Truitt Law Offices as soon as possible.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Indiana?
When a dog attacks a person, it’s common for them to panic and worry about what they should do. However, if a dog bites you in Fort Wayne, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
- Seek medical attention. Call a doctor as soon as possible to get professional medical help. Many dog bite wounds are not immediately obvious and might cause long-term damage. While you’re waiting for medical attention, lightly wash the wound with water and soap to lessen the risk of infection, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel, and elevate the injured area to reduce bleeding.
- Document the attack. Gather information about the attack, such as the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, details about the location where you were when the bite occurred, and the names, contact info, and testimonies of any witnesses. Take pictures of your injuries and property damage as soon as possible, since your injuries might appear to be less serious as they heal, or someone might repair the property damage. Additionally, photograph important aspects of the accident scene, such as the lack of a warning sign about the dog or a hole in the fence.
- Report the attack to authorities. Call the Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at (260) 427-1244 to report the dog bite.
- Call a lawyer for help. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney. Your attorney can handle all the details of the case on your behalf and can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover damages from the attack.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Dog Bite Case?
To prove fault in a dog bite case, gather evidence to show that the dog’s owner was negligent in some way. For example, they might have kept a dog that was known to be aggressive or failed to restrain the dog.
Additionally, you must demonstrate that you had a right to be at the location where the attack occurred and that you did nothing to provoke the attack. If a dog bit your child, try to show that the child could not have reasonably known that their actions would cause the dog to attack.
Do Hospitals Report Dog Bites or Animal Attacks to the Authorities?
Under Indiana law, physicians or the hospital where they work must report dog bites to the Indiana State Department of Health within 72 hours after they treat a bite victim.
