You may never expect to become a victim of a dog attack in Texas. Yet, each year, hundreds of individuals visit emergency rooms in Texas with severe dog bite injuries. If you get bitten by a dog, take certain steps to immediately protect your health and legal rights. Find out when it could be in your best interest to hire a dog bite injury lawyer in Houston.
Ensure Your Safety
Always put your safety first. If the dog is not within the control of its owner, get inside or to a safe place away from the animal. Call local animal control authorities to contain the dog. Avoid running away or making any loud noises that could further provoke the dog to attack. Once you are safe, take the time to assess yourself for injuries.
Seek Medical Care
Get medical attention immediately, even if the bite appears minor. It is crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible, as a dog bite injury could expose you to a risk of infection and other serious health complications. Call 911 in an emergency, or visit the nearest hospital or urgent care center in Texas for medical intervention.
Gather Information
Before you leave the scene of a dog attack, take steps to collect evidence and information. Begin by speaking to the pet owner. Get his or her name, address, phone number, property insurance information and details about the dog, including its breed and when it last received vaccinations. Take pictures of your injuries. If anyone witnessed the dog bite you, write down their information, as well.
Report the Dog Bite Incident
In Texas, all dog bite injuries should be reported to local animal control authorities. This is an important step for citywide recordkeeping. It creates an official record of the event, both for your injury claim and for the future, if the dog bites someone else at a later date. Animal control authorities may quarantine the dog to check for rabies and conduct their own investigation into whether the pet owner was negligent.
Collect Evidence
If you wish to pursue financial compensation or damages for your dog bite injury, keep copies of all relevant records and documents. This may include your medical records, an incident report, eyewitness statements, photographs and video footage, and communications between yourself and an insurance provider. Having all of this information readily available can help you take legal action.
File an Insurance Claim
Property insurance policies, such as homeowners insurance and renter’s insurance, can cover harm caused by a policyholder’s dog since pets are considered property for insurance purposes. Contact the pet owner’s property insurance company to file your initial injury claim. If you encounter issues securing fair compensation – such as a lack of insurance, a denied claim or a low settlement offer – consult with a personal injury attorney for assistance.
Contact a Texas Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Under Texas’s dog bite laws, you must prove that the owner was negligent or that the dog had bitten someone previously to qualify for financial compensation from the pet owner, in most cases. This can make it difficult to achieve a financial recovery after a harmful dog attack. You may need help from an attorney to prove and establish your claim.
The right dog bite injury lawyer in San Antonio can provide personalized legal services to help you get the most out of your case. This can include hiring dog bite injury and medical experts, if necessary, or bringing your case to court. If you wish to initiate a dog bite case in Texas, start with a free consultation at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys.