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Dogs may be considered man’s best friend, but even the most docile breeds can turn violent without warning. When a dog attacks, it can cause serious damage, with their sharp teeth tearing through tissue, muscle, and even breaking bones. A bite can lead to long-term health complications, permanent disfigurement, and scarring.  

If you were the victim of an animal attack, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the damages you incurred. However, to obtain a financial award, you will need to gather evidence to build a strong case. In this article, we take a look at some of the types of evidence that could help you prove liability and damages:

Eyewitness Deposition

If someone else saw the animal attack happen, their deposition could help corroborate your version of events. For instance, if a jogger saw the dog bite you without provocation, they could not only help identify the animal, but also testify that you didn’t deliberately antagonize it.

Videos and Photographs of the Attack

Whether a surveillance camera captured footage of the incident, or someone recorded a video of the attack on their phone, these recordings could help show what happened. Additionally, if you were able to take photographs of the dog that bit you and/or your injuries, you should share these images with your attorney in addition to any video files you were able to obtain after the attack.

Medical Records

When you seek treatment after an attack, your doctor will typically compile detailed medical records documenting the severity of your injuries, necessary procedures, and other aspects of your treatment. Not only will you need these documents to prove the damages you incurred, but if you sought treatment immediately after the attack, your records could also help connect your injuries to the attack and show that you took sufficient actions to mitigate your losses.

Personal Injury Journal Entries

If your injuries affected your ability to enjoy your everyday life, led to pain and suffering, or impacted your emotional well-being, you should be logging this information in a personal injury journal. Your attorney may rely on your entries to prove non-economic damages such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment in life.

Financial Documents

If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you will have to gather evidence to prove your lost wages. Such evidence can include paystubs, letters from your employer, tax returns, and bank statements. In the event that your injuries will impede your ability to earn a living in the future—or will prevent you from working ever again—your attorney might need to consult with expert witnesses such as economists to help determine the value of future lost income.  

Discuss Your Personal Injury Case with a California Dog Bite Attorney 

If you or a loved one were recently attacked by a dog, it may be in your best interests to speak to a skilled California dog bite attorney. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help investigate the attack, gather the necessary evidence to prove liability and damages, and represent you throughout proceedings. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message via our Contact Page to secure a free case assessment.