Dogs can be man’s best friend. That is until they bite you. Then, not so much. If you are bitten by a dog in Texas, there are certain laws you need to know. If you are injured by a dog bite, the first thing to do is seek medical attention. You may suffer lacerations and bruises and may even lose a limb or finger. You could suffer dog bites to your face, arms or legs. Regardless, it can be painful and may require surgery.
If you are bitten by a dog in Houston, contact a dog bite lawyer. They are familiar with the laws and can review your case. They will fight to get you the money you deserve.
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Why Would You Need A Dog Bite Lawyer?
A dog bite lawsuit is considered a personal injury case. Per Texas law, you have two years from the date of the bite to file a suit. You really don’t want to wait nearly this long. You want to call a personal injury lawyer right away. The sooner you file your claim, the better your odds of getting a fair settlement.
If you’re bitten by a dog, you will suffer injuries. You will be entitled to some of the following types of damages:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
A good dog bite lawyer will get you compensation for these things. You need to let him know everything about the incident. If you have pictures, bring them to your free initial consultation. Get the owner’s homeowner’s insurance information. Your attorney may want to file an insurance claim rather than a simple lawsuit.
A Dog Bite Attorney Knows Texas Dog Bite Laws
Texas does have very specific dog bite laws. Your dog bite attorney is familiar with these laws. They understand how they may impact your case. Texas doesn’t have a statute specifically for dog bites. Instead, they have adopted a view presented in case law. This is referred to as the “one bite rule.” The law states that in order to recover from injuries from a dog bite, you must show:
- the owner knew the dog had acted aggressively before or had bitten someone previously
- the owner was negligent in averting the bite or was negligent in controlling the dog
- the owner’s negligence caused your injuries.
If you can prove all of these things, great. If not, you are going to need a dog bite lawyer. It may take creative proof to show some of these things. You won’t usually find a list of dogs that have bitten people before. Your lawyer may need to rely on personal statements from friends or neighbors. They may have to search case records to see if the dog owner was sued before.
Your lawyer can check into the dog’s veterinarian records to see if there is evidence of the dog’s being aggressive. They can check social media to see if the owner ever posted anything about their dog. They can even subpoena text records immediately preceding or following the bite.
These are things you would not really be able to do for yourself. Dog bite attorneys have years of experience. They have access to records you may not have access to.
Your Dog Bite Lawyer Knows How to Overcome Dog Bite Defenses
There are many defenses to a dog bite. An owner can prove that they had no idea the dog would bite you. Some of the dog bite defenses include:
- The dog owner had no idea of the dog’s aggressive nature
- The dog has always been calm and friendly
- The owner warned you the dog is aggressive, and you still reached for the dog
- You were trespassing or were illegally on their premises
- Had been warned many times that the dog may bite.
- Provoked the dog to bite you
It will take a lot of work to overcome some of these defenses. If it is possible to do so, your dog bite attorney will make it happen. Having an attorney, however, doesn’t guarantee you’ll win your case. They cannot alter the facts or change history.
Contact Our Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers
The lawyers at McDonald Worley in the city of Houston have experience in dog bite cases. They know what your case is worth. Therefore, they know what evidence is required to prove your case. They may have dealt with the homeowner’s insurance company before.
Your attorney is there to win your case. He will ask all the relevant questions. He will go out and get the information needed to prove your case. You want to be able to focus on recuperating from your injuries. Let our experienced personal injury law firm do the hard work for you.
Your first consultation at McDonald Worley is free. You only pay if you win your case.