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What Can You Do If Your Neighbor’s Dog Bites You?

angry neighbor dog over fence. An injury lawyer can help with a dog bite claim

Dog bites happen every day in Pennsylvania. And it is not uncommon for the victim of a dog bite to know the dog that attacked them. As an injury lawyer, we see frequent cases of dog attacks where the individual knew the dog that attacked or bit them.

One third of the households in the United States have a dog. There are estimates of at least 2,400 dog attacks each day in the United States. Unexpected dog attacks happen, and most often with dogs that are familiar to the person. 

Victims often need medical attention after a dog attack and an injury lawyer can help to ensure victims get their medical expenses covered. Even when it is the neighbor’s dog that bit you.

What to do After Any Dog Bite

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, seek medical treatment. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 800,000 dog bites each year require medical attention. Injuries may not be apparent immediately, such as head trauma. That is why it is important to get a professional medical diagnosis. Without medical treatment, you may also risk injuries getting worse such as developing an infection. 

Next, gather as much evidence of the situation as you can. Take photographs of where the attack happened and of injuries, keep medical bill receipts, and gather contact information from any witnesses. Report the dog attack and keep copies of any paperwork. 

Contact an injury lawyer to help you with your dog bite claim. The relationship with your neighbor may be complicated but you deserve to get compensation for your injuries. Holding a neighbor accountable for a dog attack may also prevent other people from getting harmed if the neighbor takes steps to keep the dog more secure. An injury lawyer can help you to navigate the legal system and will also represent you in negotiations with the neighbor’s homeowners insurer or renters insurance company. 

Tips for Communicating With Your Neighbor

  • Try to stay as calm as possible when dealing with a dog owner. 
  • When the dog attack happens, get as much information as possible from your neighbor such as if the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, breed of the dog, any history of attacks or bites, where the incident occurred, etc. 
  • Stay cordial, but after the dog attack, do not discuss the dog bite claim with the neighbor. You may unintentionally say something that could jeopardize your case. 
  • Direct the neighbor to talk to your dog bite attorney if they insist on talking about the dog bite claim. 

Contact Injury Lawyer Jeffrey H. Penneys

An injury lawyer experienced with dog bite claims will have the knowledge required to guide your dog bite claim to a successful conclusion. Jeffrey H. Penneys understands complicated dog bite cases and dog bite laws and will be able to provide feedback on your injury claim. 

He offers a free legal consultation 24/7 so that you can call him when it is convenient for you. Contact him today at 215-771-0430 for your free, no-obligation dog case review.

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