By Lesa 
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, strong evidence is your best tool for ensuring your rights are protected. Insurance companies and courts rely on clear proof to understand what happened, who is at fault, and the extent of your injuries. By taking the right steps early, you can build a solid case that supports your claim and increases your chances of a fair settlement.
Gather the Right Proof from the Start
The first hours and days after a dog bite are crucial for collecting evidence. Take photos of your injuries as soon as possible—before and after any medical treatment. Make sure to include different angles and distances to clearly show wounds, bandages, and bruising. If the bite damaged clothes, shoes, or personal items, take photos of those as well.
You’ll also want to keep records from every doctor’s visit, urgent care stop, or veterinary appointment (if your own pet was injured). Medical paperwork establishes the seriousness of your injury and links it directly to the incident. This documentation becomes even more valuable if there are lingering problems like scarring, infection, or limited movement.
Besides medical proof, gather any official paperwork—such as police reports or local animal control notices. These reports put the key facts on record and may include the dog’s breed, the owner’s name, a timeline of the attack, and whether the animal had a history of aggression. Police and animal control records can also show whether the dog was vaccinated, which sometimes affects how claims are handled.
It’s also wise to get professional legal advice early. A local expert can be present by your side from the start and offer accessible legal services. For instance, if you are in Colorado, an experienced Denver dog bite attorney can help you organize your evidence, interview witnesses properly, and deal with insurance adjusters who may try to downplay your claim.
Secure Witness Statements and Supporting Details
After the accident, it is important to know what to do and not to do. Firstly, let’s touch on the mistakes that could compromise your personal injury case:
- Delaying medical care or downplaying your injuries.
- Not reporting the bite to animal control or police.
- Forgetting to take photos of wounds and the scene.
- Throwing out damaged or bloody clothing.
- Telling people (or posting online) that you’re “fine.”
- Losing receipts or not tracking injury-related expenses.
Now, moving on to what you or someone with you should do after the event. Of course, the first step is to call medical services. However, don’t forget that eyewitnesses add important context to your story. Even brief statements from people who saw the bite, heard barking, or noticed the dog acting aggressively can support your version of events. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information, and, if possible, have them write down what they remember right after the incident. Written accounts are preferred while memories are fresh.
Details about the scene matter, too. Note the exact location, time, weather, and what you were doing before the bite. If your bite happened in a public place, local camera footage from stores or traffic cameras nearby could capture valuable details, so ask about video quickly before it’s deleted or overwritten.
Conclusion: Build Your Case with Confidence
In a dog bite claim, evidence is the key to a successful outcome. By organizing medical records, photographs, witness accounts, and all related documents, you strengthen your claim and increase your chances of a just result. If you need help or feel pressured by insurance, seek the guidance of an experienced Denver dog bite attorney. The stronger your case, the better your chances of moving forward with support and peace of mind.