Dog Bite Injuries

Dog Bite Statistics

Most people who are injured from a dog bite are bitten by a familiar dog. In the United States, nearly 5 million dog bites occur annually, and 1,000 of these victims per day suffer injuries that are severe enough to seek emergency medical care. On average, around 20% of all dog bite injuries require medical attention.

Of all the victims injured by dog bites, more children are bitten than adults, and the injuries that children suffer are mostly to the face, whereas adults are typically bitten on the hands.

Most injuries from dog bites are relatively minor, but the biggest concern for victims of dog bites is often the risk of infection, which occurs in over 10% of all dog bite injuries. Dog bites can carry the risk of causing serious, potentially life-threatening infections such as rabies or tetanus, but the most common injuries from dog bite injuries are listed below.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

• Punctures
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Avulsions
• Scarring
• Broken Bones
• Various Infections
• Nerve Damage
• Muscle or Other Tissue Damage

Deaths from dog bite injuries are rare, but even so, around 20 people die in the U.S. from dog bite injuries or the complications they cause every year.

Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog

If you have been bitten by a dog bite, there are some immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the chance of infection & potentially improve the outcome of the injuries.

• Wash the wound right away with soap and warm water.
• If bleeding persists, apply pressure to the wound with a towel or cloth to slow the bleeding.
• Apply an antiseptic ointment to the wound such as Neosporin or Betadine daily.
• Keep the wound wrapped & covered with a sterile bandage until you are able to receive medical attention to reduce the chance of infection. Be sure to swap this bandage out for a new one frequently (2x a day, at least).
• Keep your eyes open for swelling, itchiness, redness, excessive pain, or fever as these may be signs that an infection is present.

You should seek medical attention if you have serious injuries from a dog attacking you.

Dog Breeds That Claim the Most Lives

Some dog breeds are far more aggressive than others. Since 2005, nearly 500 Americans have died from injuries that resulted from being bitten by a canine. Over half of the fatalities seen during this time were from the family dog, and close to half of these deaths were from attacks that included more than one dog. Around 40% of the fatalities were also from children under the age of 10.

Dog Attack Deaths by Breed

These are the five dog breeds that have caused the most American deaths from their bites since 2005.

• Pit Bulls – 67% (Percentage of total fatalities caused by dog bite injuries during this time period.)
• Rottweilers – 10%
• German Shepherds – 5%
• Mixed-Breeds – 4%
• American Bulldogs – 3.5%

Many home insurance policies and homeowner associations do not allow these dogs to be on the property. So make sure you check with your attorney on dog bites or attacks on the property.

Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits

If you’ve received injuries from being bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to recover damages for the suffering and medical costs that you’ve endured because of the incident. Regardless of how severe the injuries may be, it is important to get immediate medical attention, so there are medical records that are often critical in dog bite injury cases.

Heidari Law Group is an experienced personal injury firm that can help you get compensation for being bitten by another’s dog. Call us today at 1-833-225-5454 for a free consultation.

***Disclaimer: The content of this webpage, created by Heidari Law Group, is intended solely for educational purposes. While it endeavors to provide a general understanding of the law, it should not be construed as specific legal advice. Accessing and reading this site does not establish an attorney-client relationship with any member of Heidari Law. Furthermore, please be aware that the legal landscape is constantly evolving, potentially rendering some information outdated or inapplicable.