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Dogs are beloved pets throughout the United States, with an estimated 45% of households in the country owning at least one canine, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. While most of these loyal companions are friendly and playful, some will lash out without warning leaving their unsuspecting victims seriously hurt.  

If you were bitten by a dog, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills and other injury-related losses. However, a settlement is never a foregone conclusion as the dog’s owner and their insurer may fight tooth and nail to minimize how much they must pay out. 

As such, you will need to gather strong evidence to support your claim. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the types of proof that might play a role in your case: 

Photographs of Your Injuries 

Taking pictures of your wounds could be beneficial to your case as such snapshots will not only help demonstrate the severity of the attack but also help tie your injuries to the incident in question. Additionally, you should take photos of the location where you were attacked, the animal that bit you, and any other elements that might help support your claim. 

Medical Records 

Seeking prompt medical attention after an animal attack is important for your health. Dog bite wounds can quickly become infected resulting in severe health complications such as permanent scarring, disfigurement, and—in more extreme cases—loss of a limb. 

However, booking a doctor’s appointment isn’t just about taking care of your well-being. Scheduling a medical assessment immediately after the attack could also make it easier to connect your condition to the incident. Additionally, it will demonstrate to the insurer that you took sufficient steps to mitigate additional losses. 

Surveillance Camera Footage 

If you were attacked on a commercial property or in another public setting—such as a street—there’s a strong possibility that the incident was recorded by a nearby surveillance camera. Such footage could help identify the dog, establish that you did not incite the attack by provoking the dog, and that you weren’t trespassing when you were bitten.  

Financial Documents 

Keeping records of your losses in the form of invoices, receipts, and estimates is a crucial step if you want to build a strong claim. Ultimately, you will only receive compensation for costs you can prove, so these documents will usually play an important role throughout proceedings.  

Speak to a Dog Bite Attorney in California Today 

If you were injured in an animal attack, turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. We have decades of collective experience representing dog bite victims, arming us with the knowledge and resources to provide aggressive representation and reliable legal guidance at each step of proceedings. To lock in a free case review with a California dog bite attorney, reach out to us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or by shooting us a message via our Contact Page.