Common Myths About Dog Bite Injuries

Personal Injury Lawyer

Dogs may bite others for a number of different reasons. They might feel threatened or may be sick or injured. Regardless of the reason, dog bites can lead to serious complications, like infection, broken bones and scarring. If you have recently been bitten by someone else’s dog, you may be entitled to compensation.

Here are a few common myths about dog bite injuries.

It Is Personal When You Pursue a Dog Bite Injury Claim

Some people hesitate to pursue an injury claim if they were bitten by a friend or family member’s dog. They might think that their family member or friend may take it too personally. However, you still deserve to have your medical bills, lost wages and other losses covered. Even if the dog’s owner is someone close to you, you shouldn’t feel guilty about pursuing a claim. Their home insurance policy may actually cover the costs.

Certain Dog Breeds Do not Bite

While certain aggressive dog breeds are more likely to bite than other breeds, all dogs are capable of biting. Even the friendliest dogs can bite if they feel threatened or scared. That’s why you should never try to approach or pet an unfamiliar dog. If you want to pet a dog, you should ask the owner for permission first.

Dogs Always Growl Before Biting

It is easy to imagine a dog growling before biting. However, not all dogs show obvious signs of aggression before biting. In fact, dogs will likely become stiff, yawn excessively, shiver or back away. If you exhibit any of these signs in a dog, back away and give the dog space.

Yelling at an Aggressive Dog Can Make It Back Down

It is frequently assumed that yelling at an aggressive dog will show dominance. However, it can stress the dog out even more and make the situation worse. Instead, stay still and do not make eye contact with the dog. If the dog does attack, curl up in a ball to protect yourself.

Familiar Dogs Will not Bite You

If you have been around a family member or friend’s dog multiple times, you might assume that it will never bite you. While a familiar dog may be less likely to bite you than a strange dog, it can still occur. If the dog is in pain or stressed, it can still bite you, even if it has been around you many times.

You Can’t Obtain Much Compensation

In most cases, you can file a lawsuit against a person’s home insurance company for a dog bite. It should be able to cover your medical bills, emotional distress and other damages that resulted from the dog bite incident.

If you have been bitten by a dog, you should schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, like one from David & Philpot, to discuss your case in detail as soon as possible. We will take time to listen to you and help you get the compensation you deserve.