Maryland Dog Bite Lawyers

Injury Lawyers serving Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

Dogs always have been part of the American lifestyle, especially in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. Dogs can provide us security, companionship, and unconditional love. When an untrained dog rages out of control, however, it can threaten the security of you and your family. A dog bite can result in serious and permanent injuries. If you or someone you know has received a dog bite injury, contact a Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Virginia dog bite injury lawyer at ChasenBoscolo today. We would like to help.

According to the Humane Society of the United States:

• More than 4.7 million people are bitten each year in the United States.
• Approximately 18 people die annually from dog attacks nationwide.
• Most dog bite victims are children.
• The national death toll during the past 20 years tops 300 fatalities.
• All dogs can potentially bite you.

Why do dogs bite?

Dogs bite for a number of reasons. They attack out of fear, to protect their territory, or to establish dominance. Some dog owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of playful behavior. The good news is dog bites can be prevented. The Humane Society ( www.hsus.org) suggests a few ways to avoid getting bitten by a dog.

What dog owners can do to help prevent a dog bite:

• Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite.

• Train and socialize your dog so it’s comfortable around different types of people and situations.

• Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Never play “attack” games with your dog. They need to understand the difference between play and real-life situations.

• If you don’t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious.

• Be a responsible owner. License your dog as required by law and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations.

• If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior such as growling, seek professional advice from your veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or skilled dog trainer.

What you can do to protect yourself from a dog bite injury:

• Never approach a dog you don’t know or that is alone without its owner, especially if the dog is confined behind a fence, within a car, or on a chain.

• Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

• Don’t pet a dog, even your own, without letting it see and sniff you first.

• When approached by a dog you don’t know, don’t run or scream. Stand still with your hands at your sides, and do not make direct eye contact with or speak to the dog.

• If knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Lie still and keep quiet until the dog goes away.

• If a dog attacks, decrease injury by “feeding” it your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything else that can serve as a barrier between you and the dog.

Ten things to do if you receive a dog bite injury:

• Seek medical attention immediately.

• Get the name and contact information of the dog owner.

• Get the name and contact information of any witnesses.

• Report your injury to the police.

• Request a copy of the report.

• Take photographs of the dog and the location where the injury happened.

• Take photographs of your injuries.

• Do not accept any settlement or admit fault with the owner’s insurance company.

• Save any clothing damaged by the dog.

• If you or someone you know has been injured from a dog bite, contact an experienced Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. dog bite injury lawyer at ChasenBoscolo.

Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured, contact ChasenBoscolo today for a free case consultation. Complete a free consultation form online or call (800) 728-5898.

Our personal injury lawyers concentrate on auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workers’ compensation, social security disability, athletic injuries, pedestrian accidents, and pharmaceutical/drug recalls. We also handle cases involving spinal/disc injuries, broken bones, disfigurement, wrongful death, defective machinery / products, construction accidents, and slip and fall accidents among other personal injury cases.