Gathering Helpful Evidence for a Successful Dog Bite Claim
If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, getting the compensation you deserve often depends on the strength of the evidence you can gather. As an award-winning dog attack lawyer here in Memphis, I know how crucial it is to have the right evidence for a successful dog bite lawsuit.
The more solid evidence we have, the better your chances of a successful outcome. Let’s walk through the key pieces of evidence that can help strengthen your claim.
Medical Records
Medical records documenting your injuries are one of the strongest pieces of evidence in a dog bite lawsuit.
These records include details about the severity of your injuries, the treatments you needed, and any potential long-term effects. They help demonstrate the impact of the attack on your health and show that your injuries were serious enough to require medical attention.
Make sure to see a doctor right after your attack. Follow any advice they give, and attend any follow-up appointments.
Photographic Evidence
Photos and videos are some of the most powerful forms of evidence you’ll have. They can vividly show the extent of your injuries and help paint a clear picture of what happened. And they capture details that words alone can’t convey.
Right after the attack, if possible, take clear photos of your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and even the dog involved (if it’s safe to do so).
That being said, many people aren’t able to take these kinds of photographs. Your injuries and mental shock from the attack may very well limit what you can do in the moment. So our attorneys also look at photographic evidence of other kinds, including surveillance footage and witness video.
Witness Statements
If anyone witnessed the attack, their statements can be extremely valuable in a dog bite lawsuit. Witnesses provide a neutral perspective on what happened, helping to back up your account of the incident.
Get contact information from any witnesses so that your lawyer can follow up with them for detailed statements. They may also have video footage or photographs you didn’t know about.
Their testimony can play a crucial role in establishing fault and supporting your claim.
Animal Control Reports
After a dog attack, animal control will often investigate the incident and create an official report. This report may include information on the dog’s history of aggression, any previous incidents, and details about the owner’s responsibility.
These details can prove the dog’s owner was negligent. And as we discuss below, they may also prove negligence by the building’s owner, which can help you if the dog’s owner doesn’t have insurance.
Evidence of Dog Ownership
In a dog bite lawsuit, it’s vitally important to establish who owns the dog, because the owner is usually responsible for any injuries caused by their pet.
You may also need to know who owns the property where the attack happened, if that’s different from the dog owner.
You can prove ownership through:
- photos of the dog with its owner
- vet records
- licensing information
- and more.
If you can clearly prove ownership, it strengthens your case and makes it easier to get compensation from the right person.
Proof of Financial Losses
A successful dog bite lawsuit means compensation for your losses, so keep detailed records of all expenses related to the attack.
This can include:
- medical bills
- therapy costs
- lost wages
- long-term care
- and any other costs you’ve had to bear because of the incident.
A good dog bite attorney will help you collect and organize these documents. This evidence plays a critical role in how much compensation you get, because they show the real financial impact of the attack on your life.
Personal Notes and Journal Entries
Keeping a journal to document the pain, emotional distress, and other ways the attack has impacted your daily life can be powerful. Personal notes can convey the mental and emotional toll of the incident, providing insight into your experience beyond physical injuries.
If you don’t have a journal already started, it can also help to write down thoughts after the fact.
The Biggest Factor in a Dog Bite Lawsuit: The Owner’s Insurance
Typically, the first thing your lawyer will look for is proof that the owner has insurance. That’s because most homeowners’ insurance covers losses from dog attacks. However, far too many owners of dangerous dogs don’t have homeowners insurance of any kind.
Sometimes renters insurance will cover it, but usually you have to get a separate rider and people don’t often do that. (Frankly, someone so responsible will usually have a better trained dog to begin with.)
However, a really excellent and dedicated attorney will look for every possible option on your behalf. We’ve sometimes been able to find negligence by the owner of the home, especially if we find they’ve known about previous incidents with the same dog.
In one case, our client was walking down the street and passed a house with a very low chain-link fence that wasn’t built high enough. Their pit bull ran from the house, jumped above the fence, and attacked our client’s face.
We investigated the case and found the owner:
1) knew about the dog and
2) should have been aware of the fence being too low.
Many dog attack cases are just as complicated as this example. You need a lawyer who won’t stop until they get answers.
Have a Dog Bite Lawsuit? Let Us Help You Build a Successful Case
Gathering evidence after a dog attack can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from injuries. That’s why working with an experienced dog attack lawyer can make all the difference.
Our Memphis dog attack lawyers are here to help you every step of the way, from gathering essential evidence to building a case that holds the responsible parties accountable.
We’ve won awards for working tirelessly on our clients behalf. We communicate every step of the way, and we don’t make a penny, unless and until we win your case.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a dog attack, reach out to me for a free consultation.
Together, we can make sure you have the evidence needed for a strong claim and get you the compensation you deserve.