Whether you are bit by someone else’s dog on your own property, in a park or walking alongside the road, the attack could cause you to face serious consequences. Injuries, emotional trauma and financial hardships affect many victims, and you deserve justice if you are facing these challenges.
Sadly, many victims find themselves in this position each year, and it is important for people to go over data on dog bites, especially for those who own dogs.
Data on dog bites in the U.S.
Research published on the National Library of Medicine’s site offers a closer look at dog bite injuries. This paper analyzed dog bites in the U.S. between 2005 and 2013. On average, more than 337,000 emergency department visits occurred each year during this period as a result of dog bites.
The study found that males were more likely to seek emergency treatment due to dog bites, and a majority of bites affected victims’ upper extremities. More people sought emergency treatment for dog bites during the summer and on weekends than at other times. Based on estimates, the cost of these bites was no less than $400 million each year.
The impact of dog bites
If you find yourself attacked by a dog, the incident could affect your life in various ways. These attacks are often very terrifying, and you could struggle with debilitating injuries. Additionally, a dog bite could force you to miss work and have difficulty paying medical bills. It is essential to go over your options, and if a dog owner’s carelessness resulted in the attack, you need to take a firm stand for your legal rights.