The moments after a dog attack are chaotic, painful, and terrifying, but the actions you take in the first twenty-four hours can make the difference between a strong legal claim and a weak one. Your first priority must be seeking medical attention immediately. Even if the wound seems minor, you need to see a doctor right away because dog bites carry a dangerously high risk of infection, nerve damage, and rabies exposure. The medical records created at this stage become absolutely critical evidence in your case, so be sure to photograph your injuries both before and after treatment.
Your next step is identifying the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s full name, address, phone number, and insurance information. If the owner is uncooperative, make note of their physical description and vehicle details. If the dog is a stray, contact Animal Control immediately, because identifying the dog is essential for rabies testing and for establishing who is legally responsible for your injuries. After that, report the bite to Los Angeles Animal Services or your local police department. Filing an official report creates a documented record of the incident, tracks the dog’s history, and may reveal prior attacks by the same animal, which dramatically strengthens your claim.
You should also document everything you possibly can. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, torn clothing, and any witnesses in the area. Write down exactly what happened while the memory is still fresh, and get contact information from anyone who saw the attack. Save every medical bill, receipt, and piece of correspondence related to the incident. Do not attempt to negotiate with the dog owner or their insurance company on your own. Owners and insurers will often try to settle quickly for far less than you deserve, sometimes apologizing and offering to pay your emergency room bill while hiding the fact that you are entitled to far more for ongoing treatment, permanent scarring, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Before giving any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, contact an experienced dog bite attorney. Insurance adjusters are professionally trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can and will be used against you to reduce or deny your claim. At Dog Bite LA, we handle all insurance communication for our clients so you can focus entirely on healing and recovery.
The first twenty-four hours matter. If you or a loved one was bitten, contact us now for a free case review.
