If your neighbor's dog got loose and came into your yard and bit you, you can be compensated for any expenses you incur from this. To help you, below are the steps you need to take to ensure everything goes smoothly for you.
Determining Level of Bite
There are different dog bite levels. For example, a level one bite is only a dog trying to bite you but does not, and a level four is a bit deep enough to require stitches or even surgery. The highest-level dog bite is level 6, which is a dog bite that results in death.
The type of bite you have can make a difference in your case. If you cannot even tell where the dog bit you then you do not have a case. If, on the other hand, it is obvious you were bit then you need to contact personal injury attorneys.
If the dog bite requires stitches the doctor can tell you what bite level the bite is. Make sure you get this in writing as you may need this in the future if you sue your neighbor.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
A dog bite is classified as a personal injury, and this is the type of attorney you need to hire to help you. For example, some states make the dog owner liable for expenses resulting from the dog bite even if the owner did not know their dog was aggressive. The personal injury attorney will know the laws for the state that you live in.
You also need to be able to prove that the dog was in your yard when it bit you. If your neighbor is not fighting you, they can tell the court this. If the neighbor denies the dog was in your yard then you should try to find eyewitnesses, such as other neighbors around your home or family members that may have seen the incident happen. You can also take pictures if you have a smartphone with you that show the dog was in your yard.
If the neighbor's dog is in a fenced in backyard, you may be able to find the spot where the dog escaped. If so, take a picture of this also.
Talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. They can go over the above information with you in much more detail. The attorney can also give you much more information to help you understand your case better
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