Your first steps can strongly affect how your claim is evaluated.
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Get medical care promptly Even “minor” bites can cause infection, nerve damage, or scarring—especially with puncture wounds. Seek treatment the same day when possible.
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Document while details are fresh Write down the date, approximate time, location, and what the dog did right before contact. If there were warning signs (a dog barking, lunging, roaming, or being off-leash), note them.
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Preserve photos and contact info Take clear photos of the wound (if you can do so safely) and save any incident report information. Get names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the bite.
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Be cautious with statements to insurance Insurance adjusters may ask for an early recorded statement. What you say can be used to argue the bite was unavoidable, you were at fault, or the injuries are less serious than claimed.


