Consult a lawyer immediately if there are serious injuries, significant property damage, a disputed fault, or if you are contacted by a lawyer representing another party. Early legal advice can protect your rights, ensure proper evidence preservation, and guide you through interactions with insurers. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations to assess your situation.

Your immediate priority is medical care. Seek treatment to address the wound and prevent infection, and get documentation of your injuries. Identify the dog and its owner, getting their contact and insurance information. Report the bite to local animal control; this creates an official record. Take photos of your injuries, the location, and the dog if safe. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Do not discuss fault or settlement with the owner’s insurance company before consulting with an attorney.

Fair compensation means you receive a monetary amount that puts you back in the position you would have been in if the injury or damage had never occurred. It is not about getting rich. It covers verifiable losses like medical bills, lost wages, and repair costs, as well as harder-to-quantify impacts like ongoing pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The goal is to make you financially “whole” for both your economic losses and the personal toll the incident has taken on you.