Most dog-owners are extremely responsible and would never allow their animals to bite someone. However, people do suffer from dog bite injuries frequently. To find out what you need to do to protect yourself financially after a dog attack, read below.

Get Immediate Treatment

Even small animal bites can become infected with the bacteria present in a typical dog's mouth. If the bite breaks the skin, infection is a dire possibility. Seek treatment from an urgent care clinic, your doctor, or a nearby emergency room and let them know the cause of your injury right away. You may need stitches to close the wound and antibiotics to fight off any infection. Unfortunately, if the dog has not been vaccinated against rabies, you can be in for even more medical treatments. In cases where the damage is extensive, you might have to have reconstructive surgery to repair the injury.

Know What Your Damages Should Be

Don't allow a dog bite injury to cause financial problems on top of dealing with the pain of the injury. In many cases, the amount owed to victims after a dog bite is far higher than what might be paid using small claims court. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, you might be entitled to some or all of the below.

• Medical treatment costs.
• Lost or damaged personal possessions.
• Lost time from your job.
• Pain and suffering. 

Take Action

Some dog bites heal and your life can get back to normal in no time. At the other end of the spectrum, though, are serious injuries that can take longer to heal. Unfortunately, very bad damage to a leg, arm, foot, or face may never properly heal leading to a lifetime disability. Take all incidents seriously and speak to a personal injury attorney about your damages. In addition, be sure to:

1. Phone your local animal control agency and report the bite.
2. Do your best to take photographs of your injury, the dog, the owner, etc.
3. Gather contact information from the owner of the dog and any witnesses.

If the dog-owner is a homeowner too, their insurance may cover your damages if they are not too extensive. You can also sue the owner directly for any unpaid damages. Taking legal action means freezing the owner's assets and more to ensure payment. Make an appointment to speak to a personal injury attorney in your area to find out more.