The first thing you should do following a dog bite is to seek medical attention. Nothing is more important than your health and well-being, and a dog bite can put you at risk. Even if you feel fine immediately following your bite, you should still have a doctor examine the injury. Even the most minor dog bites can result in infections and health issues down the road.
Why Dogs Attack
Understanding why dogs attack can help you better understand the factors that may have contributed to your accident. While you could have done everything in your power to stay safe, some dogs may still behave aggressively. Even well-trained dogs with a history of good behavior can still become dangerous under certain circumstances. It is possible that one of the following reasons led to your dog bite:
- A history of abuse, neglect, or aggression
- Territorial behavior
- Guarding a person or food, or taking defensive actions
- Humans approaching too quickly or closely
- Lack of supervision by an owner
- Being let off of a leash in a public space
Your dog bite could have occurred for many different reasons or a combination of factors. If you were in a public space during your incident, it might not have been your fault. According to the Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, any dog that is not in a designated dog park in the city must be on a leash at all times. Regardless of what led the dog to bite, you could suffer from a variety of adverse health conditions as a result.
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Possible Injuries from Dog Bites
Possible injuries from dog bites can range from mild to severe. In rare, tragic cases, it is even possible for dog bite injuries to result in death. According to a study in Heliyon, dog bites appear in the top 20 reasons for emergency room visits in the United States. If you were the victim of a dog bite, you could have suffered one or more of the following injuries:
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Sprains, strains, dislocations, and broken bones
- Open wounds that can lead to infection
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Traumatic injuries to the head and neck, including concussions
- Injury to the limbs and extremities, sometimes resulting in disability
- Eye trauma
The bacteria in a dog’s mouth can further worsen some of these injuries, leading to serious infections. It is easy to see how a dog bite can negatively impact your life. The most important thing you can do is protect your health, and you should see a medical professional following a dog bite of any kind as soon as you can.
How to Identify a Potentially Dangerous Dog
Any breed of dog can be dangerous—even a family-owned animal with no prior history of aggression. Most of the time, the history and treatment of an animal play a large role in a dog’s behavior. Since any dog can be dangerous, it is always best to stay away from an animal you are not familiar with and exercise caution. Even if you are careful, accidents can still happen due to the negligence of a third party.
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Determining Liability
If a dog owner chooses to take their animal into a public space, they are responsible for abiding by the rules and regulations designed to keep others safe. If your dog bite accident occurred because a third party failed to take the necessary steps to control their dog, you could have grounds to take legal action and may even be eligible for financial compensation. A dog bite lawyer in Atlanta can help you establish liability and file for damages.
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Understanding Your Legal Options
While the first thing you should do following a dog bite is seek treatment, the aftermath of your dog bite can be filled with emotional trauma, physical pain, and financial difficulty. Remember during this challenging time that you could have legal options available to you in Atlanta.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Bader Law Injury Lawyers by calling (404) 888-8888. You may have a limited amount of time to act, so reach out today. A team member will be available to answer your questions and walk you through your options during a free consultation. You do not deserve to suffer at the hands of a negligent third party, so take action today.
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