Every year in the U.S., more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs. Though fatalities are rare, many are seriously injured, possibly sustaining lasting injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, disfigurements and nerve damage. Among the most at risk are children and senior citizens. Also, men are more likely to be bitten by dogs than women. Although not all dog bites are preventable, there are many things you can do to minimize the risk of serious injury from a dog attack. From the dog bite lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, here are a few dos and don’ts for dog bite prevention:

DO

• Spay or neuter your pet to reduce aggressiveness.
• Make sure any dog in your household is properly trained and socialized.
• Know the classic signs of aggression in dogs such as ears up and forward, fur on its back standing straight up, becoming stiff, barking, growling, showing teeth and lunging forward. Seek professional help for any aggressive behaviors you notice in your dog.
• Stand very still and be quiet if approached by an unfamiliar dog. If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and remain motionless.
• Put items between you and an attacking dog, such as jackets, purses or book bags.

DON’T

• Leave infants or small children unattended with dogs.
• Play aggressively with dogs.
• Pet a dog without letting it sniff your closed hand first.
• Look a dog directly in the eyes.
• Disturb a dog while it is sleeping, eating or nursing.
• Approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Chase a dog.
• Run away from a dog or scream.

If you are bitten by a dog, immediately wash and sanitize the wound and seek medical attention. Then, call a personal injury attorney to find out what your rights are under the law.

The attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Gulbrandsen have more than 50 combined years of experience practicing personal injury law. We can represent you in a wide variety of injury cases, including dog bites, auto accidents and dangerous products. If you’ve been injured, contact us today to for a free legal consultation.

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Dog attacks and animal attacks in general can cause serious physical and emotional injuries.

A dog attack can be a truly frightening experience, one that can leave its victims injured, scarred and disfigured. Moreover, dog bite victims can be haunted by memories of the vicious attack. If you’ve been the victim of a dog attack, you’ll need an experienced dog bite lawyer to help you receive compensation for your physical and emotional injuries.

Following an attack, it’s crucial for the victim to find out whether or not the dog has an owner. In most cases, the owner of the dog is liable for any injuries their dog inflicts upon their victims. However, dog walkers and landlords can be held responsible under certain circumstances. Get the name and address of the owner of the dog or whomever might be responsible. In addition, victims might need to gather the following information:

• Dog license information
• Contact information of any potential witnesses to the attack
• The insurance information of the dog owner or person/entity responsible for the dog
• Photographs of injuries, including any wounds, bruises and bloody clothing
• Medical bills from the injuries
• A report of the costs of any future medical costs, including cosmetic surgery

Getting compensation for dog attack injuries can range from simple to difficult, depending on the severity of the injuries and other case circumstances. Typically, the defendant’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy will cover any expenses from the attack. However, if the defendant does not have insurance, costs will have to come out of their assets. Insured or not, an attorney with experience dealing with dog bites can help victims find ways to get paid for their damages from the attack. Keep in mind that, on average, insurance companies offer victims without legal representation only 10 to 20 percent of what victims with legal representation.

In addition to helping dog bite victims get the compensation they need, a lawyer can also provide assistance in other matters from the attack. For instance, a lawyer can also assist victims in writing a letter to their local government asking for tougher leash laws and other protection designed to reduce dog attacks.

The dog bite lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC are well versed at handling cases involving attacks from dogs as well as other animals. In the event of a dog attack, we can advise you on the next steps to take to make sure you recoup expenses resulting from the attack. Contact us today for your free initial legal consultation.