What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury: Your Complete Guide

Dog bites happen suddenly and can leave you with serious injuries, medical bills, and difficult questions about what comes next. In Alabama, dog owners are responsible for the injuries their dogs cause. Whether the bite was minor or severe, knowing your rights and taking the right steps protects your health and your legal claim. This guide walks you through everything you need to do after a dog bite, from immediate first aid to understanding Alabama law to pursuing compensation. If you’ve been bitten, you don’t have to handle this alone. Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has helped dog bite victims recover the compensation they deserve.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

A dog bite can happen in seconds, leaving you injured, shaken, and uncertain about what comes next. Taking the right steps immediately after a dog bite protects your health and strengthens any potential legal claim. Your first priority is getting to safety and assessing the injury.

Move away from the dog to prevent additional bites. If you’re still in danger, call 911 immediately. Once you’re safe, examine the bite wound carefully. Dog bites range from minor punctures to severe lacerations that require emergency care.

Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Maintain pressure for several minutes until bleeding slows. If blood soaks through the cloth, add another layer rather than removing the first one. This helps the clotting process. Proper wound care is essential for preventing infection and supporting your personal injury claim.

Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water. Gently wash the area for at least five minutes to remove dirt, saliva, and bacteria. If you have access to an antibiotic ointment, apply it after cleaning. Cover the bite with a clean bandage to keep it protected from further contamination. This immediate first aid can prevent serious complications and demonstrates proper injury documentation.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Not all dog bites require emergency care, but many do. Seek immediate medical attention if the bite is deep, won’t stop bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure, shows signs of infection, or occurred on your face, hand, or genitals. Bites that break the skin significantly or involve multiple puncture wounds need professional evaluation.

Visit an urgent care clinic or emergency room if you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or if the bite is from a dog whose vaccination status is unknown. Medical professionals can properly clean the wound, determine if stitches are needed, and assess your rabies and tetanus risk. Getting a prompt medical evaluation strengthens your personal injury case by creating documented medical records.

Document Everything for Your Claim

Documentation is critical for any dog bite injury claim. Photographs provide objective evidence of your injuries and can significantly impact settlement negotiations or trial outcomes. This is similar to how we document injuries in other personal injury cases; thorough evidence collection strengthens your position.

Take clear photos of the bite wound from multiple angles. Photograph the injury immediately after it occurs, then again over the following days as it heals. Include photos showing the full extent of scarring or permanent marks. These images become powerful evidence of the injury’s severity. Visual documentation is one of the strongest tools in building a successful dog bite claim.

Gather information from anyone who witnessed the bite. Get their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Ask them to write down what they saw while the details are fresh. Witness statements often carry substantial weight in dog bite claims, especially if the owner disputes what happened. Early witness interviews preserve critical testimony for your case.

Keep detailed records of all medical treatment. Save receipts from doctor visits, emergency room bills, prescriptions, and any follow-up care. Document the date, time, and nature of each medical visit. These records establish the full scope of your injuries and treatment costs. Comprehensive medical documentation directly supports your compensation claim.

Report the Incident

Reporting the dog bite creates an official record that protects you and potentially prevents future attacks.

File a police report with your local law enforcement agency. Provide details about the incident, the dog’s appearance, the owner’s information if known, and your injuries. Request a copy of the report for your records. This official documentation strengthens your legal position, much like how police reports are essential in car accident claims. An official incident report creates an independent record of what happened.

Contact your local animal control agency to report the bite. Animal control will investigate, document the incident, and determine if the dog poses a public safety risk. They may quarantine the dog to monitor for rabies symptoms. This report creates another official record of the incident. Multiple official reports strengthen your legal position significantly.

Notify the Dog Owner’s Insurance

Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover dog bite liability. Notifying the insurance company starts the claims process.

Provide the insurance company with your name, contact information, the date and location of the bite, a description of your injuries, and the names of any witnesses. Be factual and concise. Avoid exaggeration, but don’t minimize your injuries either. Accurate, detailed reporting to the insurance company is crucial for your claim’s success.

Avoid common mistakes when dealing with insurance companies. Don’t accept the first settlement offer without consulting an attorney—initial offers are often significantly lower than your claim’s actual value. Don’t sign any documents without legal review. Don’t give recorded statements without an attorney present. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used against you. Having an experienced dog bite attorney protect your interests during insurance negotiations is essential.

Understanding Alabama Dog Bite Laws

Alabama law holds dog owners responsible for injuries their dogs cause. Understanding these laws helps you recognize your rights and the strength of your potential claim.

Alabama’s dog bite laws combine strict liability and the “one-bite rule.” Owners are strictly liable if their dog bites someone lawfully on their property, even without prior signs of aggression. However, there’s no liability if the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing. Off the owner’s property, Alabama applies the one-bite rule, meaning the owner is liable only if they knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies.

The statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in Alabama is two years from the date of the injury. This deadline is critical—if you don’t file within two years, you lose your right to pursue legal action. However, don’t wait until the last moment. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses’ memories fade, and medical records become harder to obtain as time passes. Understanding how Alabama’s negligence laws work is essential to building a strong case. Premises liability principles also apply when dog bites occur on someone else’s property.

Types of Compensation Available

Dog bite victims in Alabama can recover several types of compensation, depending on the injury’s severity and circumstances.

Medical expenses include all costs related to treating your injury: emergency room visits, doctor appointments, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to the bite. Keep all receipts and medical records to document these expenses. These documented medical costs form the foundation of your compensation claim.

Lost wages compensate you for income lost while recovering from your injury. If your bite required hospitalization or extended recovery time, you may have missed significant work. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, and reduced quality of life. Severe bites that cause permanent scarring or disfigurement often result in substantial pain and suffering awards. Understanding the full range of available compensation helps you evaluate your case’s true value.

Why You Need a Dog Bite Attorney

While you can file a claim independently, an experienced dog bite attorney protects your rights and maximizes your compensation.

An attorney investigates the incident thoroughly, gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and builds a strong case. They handle all communication with insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your settlement. They understand Alabama dog bite law and know how to apply it to your specific situation. An experienced dog bite lawyer brings invaluable expertise to your case.

Contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Early legal involvement ensures evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed while memories are fresh, and your rights are protected from the start. Many dog bite attorneys work on contingency—you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you. Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP‘s experienced attorneys have recovered substantial verdicts and settlements for injured clients throughout Alabama. Our personal injury law firm understands the complexities of Alabama personal injury law and fights aggressively for our clients’ rights. Read our client reviews to hear from those we’ve represented.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Alabama?

You have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit in Alabama. However, don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Early action preserves evidence and strengthens your case. Consulting with a dog bite attorney early ensures you don’t miss this critical deadline.

Can I recover compensation if the dog owner didn’t know the dog was dangerous?

Yes. Alabama’s strict liability statute for dog bites means you may recover damages even if the owner didn’t know the dog was dangerous when the bite occurs on the dog owner’s property or while you are lawfully on the owner’s property. If the bite occurred in a public place off the owner’s property, you must prove the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s dangerous propensities. Understanding these legal distinctions is crucial for evaluating your case.

What if the dog bite happened on someone else’s property?

You may still have a claim. Property owners can be liable for dog bites that occur on their property if they knew or should have known about the dog’s dangerous propensities. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation. Premises liability principles may apply to strengthen your claim.

Do I need to go to the emergency room for a dog bite?

Not every dog bite requires emergency care, but many do. Seek immediate medical attention if the bite is deep, won’t stop bleeding, shows signs of infection, or occurred on your face or hands. When in doubt, get a medical evaluation. Prompt medical attention protects your health and creates important documentation for your claim.

How much is my dog bite case worth?

The value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, scarring, and other factors. Severe bites with permanent scarring or significant medical costs can result in substantial settlements or verdicts. An attorney can evaluate your case’s value. Our attorneys have recovered multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients.

If you’ve been injured by a dog bite in Alabama, don’t navigate this alone. Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has recovered multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for dog bite victims. We work on contingency—no fee unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call (205) 324-1212 or visit our dog bite injury practice page to learn how we can help protect your rights and maximize your compensation.