It can be a terrifying situation when you find yourself with an aggressive dog that doesn’t belong to you. While many dogs are wonderful companions, there are some that have aggression and can be a danger to people that they don’t know. When you find yourself face to face with an aggressive dog and wind up getting bitten, it can be difficult to know what you should do next in the heat of the moment. Lastimado Texas is here to talk about what some of your legal options can be when you have been bitten by an aggressive dog.
What are My Rights if My Dog Bites Someone?
When you decide to bring a dog into your home as a pet, you are taking on a certain amount of responsibility. Not only are you going to be responsible for the dog’s well-being, but you are also responsible for the safety of anyone that comes to your home and around the dog. When your dog injures someone, you are going to be responsible for it. If the injury results in personal injury or damage to someone else’s property, it is the owner of the pet who caused the problem to make things right.
Dog Liability Laws
For most states, there are strict dog liability laws that require the owner of the animal to be completely responsibly for any financial responsibility when their dog bites and injures another person. For states that don’t have this in place, there is a way to get compensations through a principal called the One Bite Rule. This rule holds owners responsible if the owner knew or should have known that the dog was a danger to others.
What to Do After a Dog Bites You
When you experience a dog bite, you need to do certain things immediately following the bite to strengthen your case.
– Find the Pet Owner: If you have gotten bitten by a dangerous dog, the next thing you need to do is find the owner and obtain their contact information. You may need this if you have sustained injuries whether they are large or small.
– Locate Witnesses to Dog Attack: If there were any witnesses that saw the incident, make sure you get their name and address so they can be contacted should you need their help solidifying your case.
– Medical Care for Dog Bite: There is always a risk of infection if you have a dog bite. There is a large number of bacteria found in a dog’s mouth. If the dog broke your skin, you definitely want to seek medical care and keep all records.
– Take Pictures of Dog Bites: Pictures of the bite are always going to be most helpful. You should take pictures everyday as the bite starts to change as well.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Dallas, TX (Just Minutes from Carrollton, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Hutchins & DeSoto, Texas
If you have been bitten by a dog and need legal advice, you can call on Lastimado Texas to help get you compensation for your injury. Our experienced legal team is here to make sure you get the money you deserve. Call us today!