How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Receive Compensation

Dog bites can lead to physical injuries, emotional distress, and unexpected medical bills. In severe cases, you might be away from work for a while, leading to financial hardship. Thankfully, Texas law allows dog bite victims to seek financial compensation from the dog owner, so if you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you might be eligible to seek compensation as long as you were not trespassing on the dog owner’s property.

However, dog bite claims are not as easy as you’d expect them to be. The dog owner’s insurer or lawyer will create roadblocks to keep you from getting compensation or to reduce the settlement amount. The best way to deal with them is to have legal representation. An experienced lawyer will help you understand your rights and receive fair compensation.

This blog discusses how a dog bite lawyer can help you receive compensation. You can discuss your case with our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law during your consultation. The consultation is free and confidential so call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

Why Choose Our Dite Bite Lawyers to Help You Receive Compensation?

Our Houston dog bite attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law are dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive fair compensation. We have a track record of successfully handling dog bite cases and securing fair settlements and verdicts for our clients. We know how to handle insurance companies and defense attorneys to keep them from bullying you into accepting a low settlement or denying your claim.

We understand the emotional and physical toll a dog bite can take and will provide you with guidance, support, and strong legal advocacy. Our services are on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying us upfront. Don’t handle the claim process alone; let our skilled attorneys help you fight for justice.

We understand that dog bite compensation claims differ, and we will dedicate time and resources to your case to ensure the best possible outcome for you. 

How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Receive Compensation

There are numerous benefits to having a lawyer represent you when seeking compensation for a dog bite injury. Below, we discuss how a lawyer can help you receive compensation for a dog bite injury.

Understanding and Applying Texas Dog Bite Laws

Although Texas has no specific dog bite statute, dog owners can still be held liable for their actions under the “one-bite rule.” The one-bite rule states that:

• The dog owner is liable if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous or aggressive.
• The owner can be held responsible if the dog has previously bitten or attacked someone.
• If the dog owner was negligent in controlling the dog, even if the dog has never bitten anyone, the owner may be liable.

Our lawyers understand the one-bite rule and can use it to prove the dog owner’s liability in a compensation claim. We will also explain it to you so you know how it can impact your claim.

Determining Liability and Proving Negligence

Lawyers know how to determine liability and prove negligence using the available evidence. Essentially, we will show that:

• The owner knew the dog was aggressive but failed to prevent the attack.
• The owner violated local leash laws or could not restrain the dog properly.
• The attack happened due to the owner’s negligence — for example, leaving a dog loose in a public place.

We will also establish that the dog owner owed you a duty of care, which they failed to uphold through negligent action. By successfully proving negligence, we will hold the owner accountable for their dog’s actions and recover economic and non-economic damages.

Gathering and Preserving Evidence

Strong dog bite compensation claims need evidence. Our dog bite lawyer will help you gather the following evidence to prove your claim and get compensation:

• Medical records to show the extent of your injuries and the treatment required.
• Witness statements containing the testimonies of people who saw the dog attack you.
• Animal control reports containing previous complaints about the dog or its owner. The reports are crucial to establishing the dog’s violent pattern.

We will also consult experts if needed, particularly medical and animal behavior experts who will testify about the dog’s violence history and the severity of your injury based on the breed. The more evidence your case has, the higher the likelihood of success.

Our lawyers will help you maximize your compensation, keep you from making mistakes that jeopardize your case, and get you a settlement that adequately covers your damages.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance cover many dog bite claims. You should know that some policies contain breed exclusions. However, even if the dog owner has an active insurance policy, their insurer will try to minimize your settlement or deny the claim. If you’re an inexperienced negotiator, they will try to take advantage of you. So, instead, it is best to let an experienced attorney handle negotiations.

Our attorneys will handle all communications with the insurance company and negotiate for fair compensation. If the insurance company denies your claim or makes a lowball offer, we will challenge their decision.

Filing a Lawsuit

If negotiation fails because the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we will file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner. Our attorneys will prepare and submit legal documents, advocate for you in court and fight for a favorable verdict. Filing a lawsuit while negotiating a settlement can help you get fair compensation, as insurance companies prefer to avoid trials.

Did a Dog Injure You? Let Us Help You Seek Compensation!

If a dog bites you or a loved one and you want compensation, our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is here for you. From helping you understand the applicable laws to gathering evidence and fighting for you in court, we will be with you at every step, fighting for a favorable outcome. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential dog bite case review.