What Should I Do in the First Hour After a Dog Bite in Michigan?

The first hour after a dog bite in Michigan sets the trajectory for your medical recovery and your legal case. Here’s what every victim should do immediately — and what to avoid.

A bandaged leg following a dog bite injury

The Short Answer

In the first hour after a Michigan dog bite, do four things in this order: (1) get to safety and away from the dog, (2) photograph your injuries and the location, (3) get the dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information, and (4) seek medical care — even if the bite looks minor. Do not give any statement to the dog owner’s insurance company. Do not accept money or apologies in exchange for not pursuing a claim.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

The first 60 minutes after a dog attack are the most important window for both your health and your case. Adrenaline is high, you may be in shock, and the dog owner is often standing right there apologizing. The decisions you make in this window affect everything that follows.

Step 1: Get to safety (first 5 minutes)

Move away from the dog immediately. Do not try to confront or restrain it. If the dog is still loose, get into a vehicle, into a building, or behind a closed gate. Even calm-seeming dogs can re-engage after an attack. If you are bleeding heavily, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth and call 911.

Step 2: Photograph everything (5-15 minutes)

Before you clean the wound or change clothes, take photos with your phone:

Your injuries from multiple angles and distances
Any torn clothing
The location where the attack happened
The dog itself, if you can do so safely
The owner’s house number or vehicle license plate

These photos can never be retaken. Memories fade, wounds heal, and the scene changes. Photographic documentation is some of the most powerful evidence in any Michigan dog bite case.

Step 3: Identify the dog owner (15-30 minutes)

Get the following information from the dog owner — politely and calmly:

Full name and home address
Phone number
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company name
The dog’s name, breed, and rabies vaccination status
Whether the dog has bitten anyone before

If the owner refuses to provide insurance information, that’s their right — your attorney can obtain it later. But ask. Most owners cooperate immediately after a bite, before they have time to think strategically.

Step 4: Get medical care (30-60 minutes)

Go to an emergency room or urgent care, even if the bite looks minor. Dog bite wounds become infected in roughly 10-20% of cases, and the consequences of untreated infection can include hospitalization, surgery, or amputation. Beyond infection, your medical record from the day of the bite is the foundation of your damages claim.

Specifically, tell the medical provider:

That you were bitten by a dog (not “scratched”)
What time the attack occurred
Every body part affected, even minor injuries
Whether you know the dog’s rabies vaccination status

What This Means for Your Case

Under Michigan’s strict liability statute (MCL 287.351), the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries — full stop. You don’t need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression. But strict liability doesn’t help you if you can’t identify the owner, can’t prove the bite happened, or have no documented injuries.

The first hour is when you build that foundation. Everything you do — and don’t do — in those 60 minutes determines whether your case is solid or shaky.

What NOT to Do in the First Hour

Don’t accept cash on the spot. Some dog owners pull out cash and offer “let’s just settle this here.” Walking away with $500 cash may feel like resolution, but you have no idea yet what your medical bills will be or whether infection or scarring will develop.
Don’t sign anything. If the dog owner produces any document — even something that looks like just a “report” — do not sign. Some homeowner’s insurance policies have liability waiver forms designed for situations like this.
Don’t post about it on social media yet. Insurance investigators routinely review social media. A post like “ugh, neighbor’s dog bit me but I’m fine” can be used against you later when symptoms develop.
Don’t refuse medical care to “save money.” The dog owner’s insurance pays the medical bills if liability is established. Refusing care now creates a gap in your medical record that insurance companies will use to dispute the severity of the injury.

Bitten by a dog in Michigan? Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.