7 Mistakes to Avoid After a Dog Bite Injury (Colorado)
Dog bites can cause more than a painful wound. They can lead to infection, scarring, nerve damage, missed work, and long-term emotional trauma—especially for children. And in Colorado, what you do in the hours and days after the bite can directly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation.
Below are seven common mistakes we see after a dog bite injury—and what to do instead.
1) Leaving the scene too quickly (without collecting key info)
If you need emergency care, your health comes first. But if you can safely remain at the scene, take a few minutes to gather information that can become critical later.
Try to collect:
- Dog owner’s name, phone number, and address
- Proof of rabies vaccination / vet info (if available)
- The dog’s description (breed/color/size)
- Names and contact info for witnesses
- The exact location of the incident (address or cross streets)
Also: take photos/videos of:
- The dog (if safe)
- The area (gate, leash, signage, yard/sidewalk layout)
- Any torn clothing, blood, and visible injuries
The goal is to preserve evidence before details get “smoothed over” or forgotten.
2) Not getting medical treatment right away
Even “small” bites can become serious—especially puncture wounds that trap bacteria under the skin. A medical evaluation protects your health and creates documentation linking the injury to the incident.
Medical care is important because:
- Infection risk can rise quickly (and symptoms can show up later)
- Doctors can assess deeper damage (nerves, tendons, muscle)
- Your medical records become the foundation of any claim
If you’re unsure whether you need treatment, err on the side of getting checked.
3) Waiting too long to report the bite
Many people hesitate to report a bite—especially if the dog belongs to a neighbor, friend, or family member. But reporting often helps everyone: it creates an official record and helps confirm vaccination status and quarantine protocols.
In Colorado, animal bites are generally required to be reported promptly (and in some contexts within a short window), and local agencies can guide next steps. In Denver, for example, the city provides an animal bite reporting process through public health/animal protection.
4) Failing to document your injuries (and the healing timeline)
Photos matter. They help show severity, progression, scarring, bruising, swelling, and healing complications.
Best practice:
- Take clear photos immediately after the bite (multiple angles, with good lighting)
- Continue taking photos daily for the first 1–2 weeks (or longer if symptoms evolve)
- Keep copies of medical instructions, prescriptions, and follow-up visits
If scarring develops, documentation over time can be especially important.
5) Talking to the insurance company without legal guidance
Soon after a bite, you may get a call from an insurance adjuster—often from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. They may ask for a recorded statement or suggest a quick settlement.
Be careful. Their job is to minimize payouts.
Common pitfalls include:
- Saying something that sounds like you were “partly at fault”
- Downplaying your symptoms early (before you know the full impact)
- Accepting a settlement before future medical needs are clear
You’re allowed to decline a recorded statement and consult counsel first.
6) Assuming Colorado “strict liability” automatically covers every bite
Colorado does have a dog-bite statute often described as “strict liability,” but it does not apply to every single dog bite the same way. For example, the statute’s strict-liability framework is commonly associated with serious bodily injury (and there are statutory exceptions/defenses in certain circumstances). Other bite cases may be pursued under different legal theories, depending on the facts.
In short: don’t talk yourself out of a claim because you’ve heard a simplified rule online. The details matter.
7) Waiting too long to contact a lawyer (or trying to handle it alone)
Dog bite cases can become complicated quickly:
- Disputes about what happened, where it happened, and whether the dog was controlled
- Arguments about “provocation” or comparative fault
- Questions about insurance coverage and policy limits
- Long-term damages: scarring, surgery, infection complications, PTSD, lost earnings
An experienced dog bite attorney can help preserve evidence, manage insurer communication, and ensure your damages are fully documented—before the case is valued or negotiated.
Pushchak Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Colorado, you may have options to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Pushchak Law focuses on dog bite injuries and can help you understand your rights and next steps.
Contact Pushchak Law today to schedule a free consultation.
(If you have a life-threatening injury, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.)
This article is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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