Four Mistakes To Avoid After Being The Victim Of A Dog Bite

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Dog bite claims contribute to about 1/3 of homeowners liability claims and have risen substantially over the past ten years. When you go out for a job or take your family on a walk, the last thing you expect is to be bitten by a dog, but it does happen. After seeking out medical treatment for the bite, it is important that you handle the situation properly if you want to recover any compensation due to the bite. To increase your chances of getting the full amount of compensation you deserve, you want to avoid these four mistakes. 

Delaying Medical Treatment

Once you have been bitten by a dog, it is important that you get medical treatment right away. Even if you feel the injury does not warrant medical treatment, it is always a good idea to have it checked out. This not only ensures that the bite does not worsen, but it also allows a medical professional to evaluate the bite and record all findings. These findings can be used during the personal injury claim if needed. Should you decide to receive medical attention for the bite later, it may be harder to claim the treatment was due to the bite. 

Signing Forms for the Insurance Company

In many cases, the insurance company will offer you a settlement for a lower amount than what you may be eligible for. It is their goal to close the case by saving as much money as possible. It is important that you not sign anything without discussing it with a personal injury attorney. The attorney will review the claim and determine if it is in your best interest to sign it or not. Any form that is given to you to sign from the insurance company is to benefit the carrier's interest. 

Settling Too Quickly

There may be a point where you decide that you would rather take less compensation rather than furthering the case. Your attorney can help you understand the process and what to expect if you continue to move forward. Choosing to go forward could cost you a considerable amount of money and time, but settling too quickly could cause you to lose a lot of money in the long run. After hearing about the process of typical dog bite cases from your lawyer, you can then decide whether to settle or go forward. 

Not Communicating Properly

You will be questioned by many people during the case, including your attorney, medical professionals, the insurance company, and possibly the defendant's lawyer. When asked about any questions about the case, it is important that you remain truthful and open about what happened. Should it come out that were dishonest at any point, your case could get dropped. 

For assistance, talk to a lawyer like James Lee Katz.


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