Dog Bites

McAllen Dog Bite Attorney

Giving Suffering Clients a Voice

A large percentage of Texans own dogs, and the majority of pet owners take care to train and restrain their animals. However, sometimes an owner’s negligence can lead to an attack that causes a great deal of damage to the victim and their family. Texas laws indicate that while people have a right to own a dog, they are also responsible for controlling their animals for the safety of everyone around them.

When a vicious dog or other pet attacks you or a loved one, you may experience a wide range of emotional and physical damage. Please seek urgent medical attention and keep the wound clean to avoid infection. You should also seek to protect your legal rights by contacting a trusted legal professional about bringing a legal claim against the negligent owner.

At Brasure Law Firm, PLLC, we know that it can be challenging to know what to do after a terrifying incident like a dog bite. Many victims wonder if they have a basis for a legal case. You can get answers to your questions and validation for your pain and suffering by reaching out to our legal team today.

We can help determine whether you should pursue compensation through the insurance company or litigation. We will help develop your case, uncover evidence that backs up your story, and stand by your side throughout the process. Call us today at 956-903-2873 for your free case evaluation.

What Are Texas Laws Regarding Dog Bites?

Before you open a dog bite claim, please get in touch with a personal injury lawyer to learn whether you have a legal right to compensation based on Texas law. Your attorney will analyze your unique circumstances to see if you are eligible to recover damages based on your dog bite injury and how they relate to Texas laws, including the one-bite rule and other local laws.

One Bite Rule

Texas is notorious for utilizing a one-bite rule that restricts owner liability if the dog has not demonstrated a vicious nature prior to the attack. This rule can make it difficult to obtain compensation if the owner claims they did not know about the dog’s aggressive nature. Proving the dog’s history of aggression can be complicated, but your lawyer will know how to uncover evidence that proves the owner should be liable for the attack.

Vicious Propensity

Another reason a dog bite case can be complicated is because of the different definitions of vicious propensity in various locations. Texas laws permit local officials to interpret and expand laws according to their viewpoints. Our McAllen legal team is familiar with the statutes in the local municipalities, making us the legal team you need on your side when filing an injury claim.

Leash Laws

Like other laws relating to dog ownership, leash laws depend on local ordinances. For example, some cities have rigid laws that require a dog to be leashed at all times except in an enclosed space. Other locations allow greater flexibility. Additionally, if the animal was a police dog, there may be further considerations because of the dog’s training. Reach out to your local dog bite attorney to learn more about how your city’s ordinances may affect your legal claim.

What Should I Do if I Was Attacked by a Vicious Animal?

If you or your child were attacked by a vicious dog, you should act quickly to report the incident and seek medical attention. Delaying medical treatment can result in infections or other injuries that can permanently affect your well-being. Dogs are notorious for causing infection due to the germs in their mouths, so cleaning the wound right away and getting checked by a medical professional is extremely important.

Once you are safe and recovering, you have some difficult decisions to make. You should reach out to an attorney when deciding whether to sue the negligent dog or property owner. Your lawyer can review the details of your case to determine whether legal action is appropriate in your case. It is also essential to report the incident to the authorities, such as animal control, to ensure the vicious dog is restrained and does not harm anyone else.

How Much Compensation am I Entitled To?

One question many dog bite victims have is whether the proposed settlement is enough to cover their economic and non-economic damages. Unfortunately, the dog owner’s insurance company is unlikely to provide a fair settlement without strenuous negotiations. Many victims aren’t up to the legal battle to get the funds they deserve following such a severe injury, which is why hiring a lawyer is essential at this critical time.

Your lawyer can help you seek compensation for the following damages and more:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Surgery
• Lost wages for time missed at work due to the injury
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Decreased income-earning capacity if you can’t perform your job because of your injuries
• Wrongful death, including reasonable funeral expenses

If a negligent dog owner allowed their dangerous dog to attack you or your loved one, you deserve help covering the many expenses associated with your injuries. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking you can rely on an insurance payout to make a full financial recovery. However, with a dedicated legal team on your side, you have much better chances of winning a fair settlement, either in negotiations or through litigation. Call our law firm now to learn more about how we can help.

Who Is Liable for the Dog Bite Attack?

Determining liability is critical in any personal injury case. To recover compensation and seek justice, you must demonstrate that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, such as restraining their pet which they know might be dangerous. You must also show that their failure to fulfill the duty of care led directly to your extensive injuries.

Identifying the liable party in a dog bite lawsuit can be difficult because unusual circumstances might cause the dog owner to place you or another person liable for your injuries. For example, if the victim was taunting the dog or trespassing, they may forfeit their right to compensation. Additionally, a landlord or property owner could be held responsible for not displaying proper warning signs or providing a safe space for neighbors and tenants.

For help proving liability in your unique dog bite case, reach out to our team of personal injury attorneys immediately. We will help discover whether the animal had a history of vicious behavior and gather evidence to prove the extent of your injuries. Call today for a free consultation.

What Injuries Do Dog Bite Victims Typically Suffer?

Dog attacks can be swift and brutal. While canines are typically recognized as man’s best friend, they have instincts that can be deadly, especially when the particular breed or dog’s history leads to aggressive behavior.

Some common injuries seen among dog bite victims include:

• Lacerations (cuts)
• Puncture wound
• Broken and fractured bones
• Strains and sprains
• Scars
• Disfigurement
• Infections
• Abrasions
• Avulsion (loss of tissue)
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Recurring nightmares about the event
• Insomnia
• A persisting fear of dogs
• Death

These and other serious injuries may require lengthy recovery periods, including surgery. In severe cases, the person may be left with a disfigurement that alters their appearance permanently. And in worst-case scenarios, the victim may lose their life.

As a dog bite victim, you deserve help in paying for expensive medical procedures and to compensate you for emotional damage. Call us immediately to hold negligent pet owners responsible, get the financial assistance you deserve, and prevent future victims from suffering a similar fate.

How Do I Report a Dog Bite Incident?

It can be confusing to know what to do after experiencing a traumatic event like a dog attack. Please remember to clean the wound thoroughly and get medical attention from a trusted doctor to prevent infection and other permanent damage. After you have been treated for your injuries, your next thought should be to report the event. Alerting the authorities can help protect your legal rights and stop the same accident from happening to someone else.

First, knowing whom to contact during and immediately following the emergency is critical. Calling your local police to file a report is an excellent place to start since the police report can serve as critical evidence if you decide to take legal action. Equally important is reporting the bite to Animal Control so the dog can be restrained.

In both cases, please provide as many details as possible, including who was attacked, what happened when the bite occurred, and the name and address of the owner, if possible. If you don’t know who the dog belongs to, it can be helpful to provide a description of the animal.

Finally, you should protect yourself legally by contacting a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will help you negotiate with the insurance company and decide whether to file a lawsuit to ensure your rights are protected.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer in My Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A personal injury attorney is a critical ally when seeking justice following a dog bite or other animal attack. They will provide such crucial services as:

• Pursuing civil remedies to find a quick solution whenever possible
• Ensuring the victim has access to medical care to prevent permanent damage
• Protecting the victim’s rights
• Investigating the incident to determine what caused the animal attack
• Uncovering evidence to demonstrate that the owner should have known about the animal’s vicious propensity
• Recovering compensation from the homeowner’s insurance policy, if possible
• Pursuing compensation in full as allowed under local laws
• Offering legal counsel based on years of experience in the field of personal injury law
• Providing emotional support at this difficult time

If you or your loved one was attacked by a vicious dog, you may be feeling worried or afraid. However, you don’t have to go through this troubling experience alone. Call our law firm right away for the counsel and representation you deserve.

Should You Hire Our McAllen Dog Bite Lawyer?

Accident victims often don’t realize they have a right to help in paying for future medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and more. If a dog attacked you or your loved one because of the owner’s negligence, you could be eligible to recover damages. Our legal team proudly represents victims suffering because of someone else’s recklessness or wrongdoing.

At Brasure Law Firm, PLLC, we ensure your suffering doesn’t go unseen and unheard. We offer an unmatched level of service, with tireless dedication to each client’s case. We promise to give you the attention and care you deserve from the moment you walk into our law office. We will leverage our experience and knowledge of local laws to help you recover from your dog bite injuries.

Call our law firm right away to learn more about how we can help. We offer services on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay us a thing unless we win. We also offer a free consultation so you can discuss your case with our caring, capable legal team at no obligation. Call 956-903-2873 right away to learn more.