Dog bites and other animal attacks are a major source of personal injuries.  In the United States alone, almost 5 million people were bitten by dogs last year.   Of these, about half are children.  The number of dog bites and attacks in Michigan is also significant.

Even though dog bites are so common and the law clearly provides remedies for victims of dog bites, the number of people who recover in a lawsuit for their dog bite injuries is much smaller than the number of people who are bitten.  The reason is that many people make a number of mistakes that can ruin their dog bite case. 

Here are some you things that you should know so that you can win your dog bite case.  This will help you receive the best possible settlement for your case.

Seek immediate medical attention: By getting prompt medical attention, a dog bite victim ensures professional treatment will minimize the severity of any injuries as well as the risk of infection.  The victim also ensures the injuries are well documented.  If a victim does not seek prompt medical attention, the dog owner's insurance company will very likely argue that the injuries were not severe or that they were not caused by the dog.  Seek medical attention immediately after the dog bite.

Get the name and address of the dog owner and any witnesses: It can be very hard to track down the dog owner or witnesses after the dog bite occurs.  People move frequently.  In addition, witnesses may become unwilling to help out or they may simply forget all the details of the attack.  Get reliable contact information from the owner and witnesses.

File a police report: When a report is filed, the police or animal control will investigate the dog and check their records to determine if the animal has ever attacked another person.  The report also creates another written record of your injuries.  File a report as soon as you can.

Take photos: Taking pictures of your injuries preserves evidence of the full extent of your injuries.  If you wait until trial to show the defendant your injuries, it will often be difficult to show how severe they were at the time of the attack.  Take photos immediately.

Do Not Meet with the defendant's insurance adjuster or investigator: The insurance adjuster or investigator works for the insurance company and has the sole goal of limiting the insurance company's liability for your injuries.  He or she may try to get you to say things that are damaging to your lawsuit or accept a quick settlement for much less than the case is worth.  Do not speak to anyone from the insurance company.  Instead, refer them to your lawyer.

Hire an experienced lawyer who handles dog bite cases: A lawyer who has successfully handled dog bite cases and who knows how to get the full value of your case from the insurance company is important for your case to succeed and for your own peace of mind.  Your lawyer is your advocate.  If you don't think he is doing everything he can for you, hire someone who will.

By taking these actions, you will greatly increase your likelihood of receiving fair compensation for your dog bite injuries.  You should also be aware of strict time limitations for filing dog bite lawsuits in Michigan.  The failure to meet these deadlines can destroy your case.  This is another reason why it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.