You must try to obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses, seek medical treatment immediately, and consult a personal injury attorney in the event you’re attacked by an aggressive dog. When it comes to dog attacks many people have questions concerning the rights of the victims, the consequences, as well as the compensation involved and we at Lastimado Texas would like to discuss these basics.
What Should I Worry About After a Dog Bite?
Staph infections, rabies and disfigurement as well as tissue and muscle injuries are a few issues concerning dog bites. A doctor may order rabies vaccinations if the dog shows rabies symptoms or cannot be located. Skin grafting or other kinds of reconstructive surgery may be required in some attacks. Over four million dog bites are reported each year in our nation. For injuries caused by a dog, usually, a dog’s owner is liable. In some cases, however, a person other than the owner may be liable if they had control of the dog at the time of the incident.
Can You Sue if Someone’s Dog Attacks You?
By the civil courts in Texas and several other states, the one bite doctrine is recognized. If he or she knew that the dog had aggressive traits, the doctrine is that liability for a dog bite should fall on the dog owner only. To any injury caused by a “domestic” animal, the rule applies. If the dog owner was aware of previous bites or other aggressive behavior by the dog, a dog bite injury victim in Texas may file a lawsuit based on the one bite doctrine. On the basis of negligence, a dog owner without that knowledge may alternatively be sued by a Texas dog bite victim. Unfortunately, most frequent victims of dog bites are small children as well as the elderly. Recovering from a dog attack takes months and may require multiple surgeries and long-term therapy for some victims.
Steps to Take if You are a Victim of a Dog Attack
Make and keep copies of the medical, legal, and insurance documents that are generated should you be an unfortunate victim. Before obtaining advice from a reliable personal injury lawyer, do not accept a quick insurance settlement or even speak with an insurance company representative. Privately and out-of-court is how most bite cases in Texas are settled. Your attorney may recommend taking your case to trial and asking a jury to order the dog’s owner to compensate you fairly and comprehensively if a settlement with a biting dog’s owner cannot be negotiated, however. The state of Texas has set a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits, which means that you have two years from the date of the injury to take legal action.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Dallas, TX (Just Minutes from Carrollton, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville, Hutchins & DeSoto, Texas
Ultimately, when you become a victim of a dog attack in Texas, the sooner you contact Lastidamo Texas the sooner we can help you get the settlement you deserve to help cover medical expenses, potential recover time, as well as other expenses you need assistance with. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
