If a Dog Bites You, Do These 8 Things Now

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” for good reason. They are loyal, and friendly, and make great companions. However, sometimes dogs can bite, which can lead to severe injuries. If you are a victim of a dog bite, it is important to act immediately.

In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in regard to more than 4.5 million people getting dog bites each year in the United States. Additionally, almost one out of five dog bite victims require medical attention due to dog bite injuries.

So, if this happens to you, here are eight things you should do if a dog bites you.

Wash The Wound

If a dog bites you, the first thing you have to do is to get away somewhere safe. Once you’re safe, wash the wound with soap and water.

Always wash the wound–no matter if it is small or big. Washing the wound would lessen the chance of having any infections.

Stop the bleeding

After you’ve washed the wound, the bleeding must stop, so apply some pressure. You can use a clean cloth to cover the injury and apply direct pressure on it.

Apply Antibiotic Cream

Once the bleeding has stopped and cleans the wound, you can apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream if available.

Most of the time, these types of creams and wound dressings are found in a standard first-aid safety kit.

Dress the wound in bandage

It’s important to keep the wound clean and protected. After applying the medicinal cream, wrap the wound with a sterile bandage. This would give you enough protection for when you need to go to the doctor.

See a doctor

A dog bite is not a simple injury. Some dogs may have rabies or infections from their bite. It’s very important that after dressing the wound in a bandage you go see a doctor.

Also, you may be asked to get some anti-rabies shots on top of treating your dog bite wound. Follow the doctor’s instructions related to wound care.

Change the bandage every day

A good tip for wound care (not just for dog bites) is to change the bandage every day. Clean the wound by washing it, applying medicine, and dressing it with a bandage. Do this every day until the wound heals.

Check for any signs of infections

When you change the bandage, check the wound for any signs of infection. The earlier you can treat and address the infection, the easier the recovery will be. Always go to your follow-up check-ups with your doctor so they can also inspect the wound.

However, if there is an infection, your doctor will prescribe additional medications or procedures.

 Hire a Dog Bite Attorney

If you are bitten by a dog, don’t panic. There is no one right way to react, but following the last tip is for you to hire a dog bite lawyer. If you are wondering if you can sue for a dog bite, then the answer is YES.

Especially in Texas, the dog owner may be liable to provide compensation to you. A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer or personal injury lawyer with 15 years of experience can help you navigate through the dog bite laws and even negotiate with the owner’s insurance company.

Panicking after a dog bite is not advisable. There is no one right way to react, but following these eight tips can help you protect yourself and get the medical attention you need.

Remember, if you are bitten, seek medical attention first. Afterwards, you can decide on your next legal action with the help of Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm. Our team of highly professional personal injury attorneys will work with you to get the compensation you deserve.

A personal injury lawyer in Houston, Atty. Roxell Richards is here to help review your case for FREE. She will get you the settlement offer you need so that you can pay your medical bills. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims, and we want to put our expertise to work for you.

Finally, contact us today at (713) 974-0388 or toll-free at 1-855-GOT-INJURED for a free consultation, and let us help you start recovering from your accident.