Picture taking a peaceful walk through your Anderson subdivision, the cool breeze at your back. Suddenly, a neighbor's unleashed dog charges toward you, teeth bared. Before you can react, you're on the ground with puncture wounds in your arm, blood seeping through your sleeve.
Dog bite incidents happen with alarming frequency in South Carolina. Victims often face serious injuries, while also dealing with lasting emotional trauma. Many people don't know the proper steps to take when reporting dog attacks, which can jeopardize both their health and ability to recover compensation. Our South Carolina dog bite lawyers explain the right actions to take immediately after a dog attack.
Prioritize Immediate Medical Attention
It is absolutely essential to seek prompt medical care after a dog attack, just like after a South Carolina car accident. Even seemingly minor dog bites can lead to serious complications if not properly treated.
- Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth while someone drives you to the nearest emergency room or calls an ambulance.
- Never ignore signs of infection. If you notice increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus drainage, or developing fever within hours or days after a bite, head straight to the hospital.
- Face or neck injuries warrant immediate emergency care due to their proximity to vital structures. A dog bite injury may require plastic surgery and result in permanent scarring.
- Dog bite first aid from your healthcare provider may include thoroughly cleaning the wound, prescribing antibiotics, and checking if you need a tetanus shot or rabies treatment.
Report the Dog Bite to the Proper Authorities
Reporting dog attacks to Anderson County Animal Control or your local agency if the dog bite happened elsewhere creates a documented record of the incident. The official report is valuable for both public safety and future legal action.
You can also report the dog attack to local police, especially if the animal appears dangerous to others. South Carolina Code of Laws Section 47-5-100 requires that any animal that bites a person be confined and observed for at least 10 days to monitor for signs of rabies.
Document Everything About the Dog Attack
Thorough documentation strengthens your position if you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Start collecting evidence as soon as you're medically stable.
- Photograph your injuries immediately after the incident and continue to document them throughout the healing process. Take pictures from multiple angles and distances.
- Start a detailed journal documenting how your injuries affect your daily life, including medical appointments, treatments, and medication.
- Record any emotional effects, such as developing a fear of dogs or anxiety about going outdoors. These psychological impacts are compensable non-economic damages in South Carolina.
Identify the Dog Owner and Gather Witness Information
Understanding who's responsible for the dog is crucial for your claim. South Carolina's strict liability dog bite statute holds owners responsible regardless of whether the dog had previously shown aggression.
If you don't already know who owns the dog, ask neighbors if they recognize the animal. Check with animal control, as the dog may have a registered microchip. Ask anyone who saw the attack for their contact information and request that witnesses write down what they observed while it's still fresh in their minds.
Preserve Evidence Related to the Attack
Beyond documentation of your injuries, other types of evidence can significantly strengthen your South Carolina personal injury case.
- Keep the clothes you were wearing during the attack, even if they're damaged or bloodstained. Don't wash them, as they may contain evidence such as the dog's saliva.
- Contact nearby businesses to ask if they have security footage covering the area where the attack occurred.
- Check if there are municipal cameras in the area if the attack happened in a public park or government property. Your South Carolina dog bite lawyer can help request this footage through proper channels.
Contact a South Carolina Dog Bite Lawyer
Consulting with an experienced attorney gives you the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries. South Carolina's dog bite laws favor victims, but insurance companies often try to minimize payouts.
- Consult with an attorney as soon as possible after receiving emergency dog bite first aid and reporting the incident. South Carolina's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of injury.
- Speak with a lawyer before talking to insurance adjusters. Companies often reach out quickly, hoping to secure a statement or offer a quick settlement before the full extent of injuries is known.
- Bring medical records, the incident report, contact information for the dog owner and witnesses, and any photographs to your initial consultation.
Handle Insurance Companies With Extreme Caution
Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts, even in clear liability cases like dog attacks under South Carolina's strict liability statute.
- Don't provide a recorded statement to the dog owner's insurance company without legal representation. Simple statements can be taken out of context.
- Decline early settlement offers, which rarely account for the full extent of your damages, including lost wages and long-term care.
- Review your own health insurance policy and homeowner's or renter's insurance, as some policies offer coverage that might apply to animal attacks.