Our San Antonio Dog Bite Lawyers!
Most of us love dogs and think of them as man’s best friend. Once bitten by a dog, your opinion may change. We usually hear about the cases that cause severe injury on the news. Dog bites are much more common and frequent than the occasional ones that we hear about.
Dogs don’t have to be provoked to bite. It is crucial you teach your children to be cautious around dogs and to never approach a dog they are not already familiar with. Even a seemingly docile neighbor’s dog can turn vicious.
San Antonio Practice Areas
Texas Dog Bite Facts :
Source <https://petpedia.co/dog-bite-statistics/>
In the U.S., more than 4 million dog bite incidents occur each year, according to dog bite statistics.
Dog bites and attacks in the United States are regularly studied by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Among all dog bites, there are only 800,000 that require medical attention.
Based on CDC dog bite statistics, as of 2019, there are over 328 million people in the US, meaning that one dog bites every 73 people.
Source :https://allpetslife.com/dog-bite-statistics/
US dog attacks resulted in 48 fatalities in 2019.
- Each year, U.S. dogs bite 4.7 million people
- Dog bite victims are more likely to be male than female
Source : https://allpetslife.com/dog-bite-statistics/
Texas leads the nation in fatal dog bites. From 2005-2019, there have been 62 Texans who lost their lives as a result of dog bites. Pit bulls were responsible for 76% of the total recorded deaths. The second most lethal dog breed, rottweilers, accounted for 15%.
Since the burden of proof lies on the victim, the need for an experienced dog bite lawyer is critical if you want get compensation for your injury. You need to proof that the dog owner is negligent. These cases are complicated and emotional. Our firm specializes in personal injury and our experienced attorney will fight aggressively for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Our Animal Bite Lawyers Take Your Dog Bite Injury Case Serious
First and foremost, you should seek medical attention if you have been bitten by an animal, even if you think the bite is minor. There should be testing and necessary medical treatment. In the best-case scenario, the dog owner will be present to provide information about the attacking dog. If not, you must try to locate the owner. For your case, you will need:
- The dog owner’s name, address, and phone number
The dog owner’s insurance information
The dog’s health and vaccination history
Knowledge of whether or not the knine has displayed aggressive behavior in the past
Animal Attack Injuries That Require The Help Of An Bite Attorney
A dog bite can be minor, severe, life-altering, or even fatal. You should always seek medical attention immediately to avoid severe infection. If the K-nine bite was serious, you would be wise to seek legal advice from our experienced San Antonio dog bite lawyers . Example of serious dog bite injuries:
Broken or fractured bones
Deep cuts and lacerations resulting in scarring or disfigurement and transmitting diseases
Severe bites that may require reconstructive surgery
Soft tissue injuries that cause immobility or the need for physical therapy
Emotional trauma caused by the knine attack
Death
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds In San Antonio
Based on fatal dog attacks on humans from 2005 to 2017, we compiled the top ten most dangerous dog breeds. The chart shows that pit bulls are far more likely than any other dog breed to behave aggressively and be involved in a fatal attack.
- Ways To Avoid Being A Dog Bite Victim
- Always keep an eye out for pit bulls and rottweilers.
- Dogs tied to chains are probably victims of previous attacks and should be avoided.
- Children should be aware that dogs are more likely to attack them
- Do not touch your dog’s face
- There is nothing unusual about dogs biting your leg, arm, or other parts of your body. Our San Antonio personal injury lawyers have experience helping dog bite victims and other animal attack victims. Having a lookout for possibly vicious animals at your friends’ houses or when visiting a petting zoo is a great way to keep safe. Unfortunately, dog attacks are reported often. Since children are not always aware of how to treat animals correctly, they are more likely to be attacked by animals. Also, being weaker than adults they may not be able to defend an attack easily.
The State Of Texas and Dog Ownership Laws
Texas One Bite Rule
Texas is a One-Bite State. That is a rule that says that the owner of a domesticated animal will be held strictly liable for injuries caused by the animal only if the owner knew or should have known about the animal’s dangerous or vicious propensities, which have been manifested in the past. Therefore, victims of animal attacks must prove the owner knew or should have known of the dangerous or vicious propensities of the dog in order to prevail in a civil lawsuit.
In addition, Texas has a dangerous dog law, “Lillian’s Law”. Under the law, the owner of a loose knine that causes injury or death can be prosecuted if the owner is found to be “criminally negligent” in failing to prevent the animal from escaping.
Negligence By The Dogs Owner(s)
In order to begin a dog bite case, the victim has to prove one of two things:
1.The pet owner had knowledge that their dog has been aggressive or bitten someone in the past.
2. The pet owner did not prevent the attack by virtue of not keeping the dog inaccessible to anyone coming around the animal.
To prove negligence on the dog owner’s part, victims have to prove:
Ownership of the dog
The dog owner had a duty to prevent his dog from injuring others
The dog owner did not live up to the duty of preventing the dog attack
The dog owner’s lack of duty caused the victim’s injury
Texas Strict Liability Law
A dog that has bitten a person in the past can be labeled as vicious or dangerous. A person bitten by a dog labeled as such will most likely be able to be compensated for their injury. In this case, they would need to provide evidence that the dog has been deemed dangerous. More on this website @ https://bit.ly/2UOwjbI
Animal Control Violations
Dog owners who do not abide by animal control regulations stand the chance of being found negligent if their lack of compliance leads to a dog bite injury.
Anyone witnessing a dog attack may be held liable if they do not take steps to stop the attack.
The City of San Antonio’s animal code reads:
All dogs must be confined to their owner’s property at all times except when on a leash. Animal Care Officers have the legal authority to enter unenclosed front yards of private property to impound unrestrained animals.
San Antonio’s Investigative Process on Dog Bites
If you or someone you love is bitten by a dog, the following occurs:
You or your lawyers should report the dog bite to the appropriate city department. This will require a sworn affidavit describing all the details of the attack – date, location, owner of the dog, and description of the dog.
The police with investigate the incident and may impound the dog.
If the dog is taken from the owner, it will not be returned until the time the owner complies with the legal requirements for dangerous dogs.
Damages Caused To Dog Bite Victims :
A dog bite can cause serious injuries to the victim resulting in long-term physical suffering. Few injuries may result in surgeries and can be a financial threat to the dog bite victim. The following damages may be entitled to dog bite claims.
- All medical bills, prescriptions, and surgery if necessary
Future medical costs if you require multiple surgeries
- Loss of income from work
- Lost of future earnings if you are no longer able to work due to loss of mobility
Pain and suffering
- Mental Anguish
Contact Our Dog Bite Lawyer In San Antonio Today !
Dog attacks can be quite severe and sometimes fatal. Even a minor bite can be traumatic, especially for a child. If you or someone you love has been bitten, first seek medical care, then contact our experienced San Antonio dog bite personal injury lawyer. We have decades of experience with dog bite cases for our clients. We update the client with all the information regarding legal proceedings transparently in order to maintain a smooth client-attorney relationship. Bite lawyers at our law firm will fight aggressively to protect and rights and help you through the legalities to get maximum compensation for your injuries. Call our experienced San Antonio dog bite lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
FAQs about Dog Bite in San Antonio
- First, you should contact the animal control or police. Fill out the incident report as soon as possible. It may be helpful later when determining whom to blame for your injuries to have your dog bite/animal attack documentation done.
- You should call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have injuries that require urgent medical attention. Care for your injury according to your doctor’s instructions.
- Find out every piece of information you can about the dog’s owner, including their name, address, previous vicious behavior, and whether or not the dog is vaccinated. In addition, find out who the witnesses are and get their contact information.
You should get medical treatment for a dog bite as soon as possible. You should try to find out where the dog lives. For example, imagine that you were running and a dog dashed out of a door while you were out. You were attacked when they opened the gate. This house address will have to be noted down.
The person who let the dog out needs to be identified. The police can help you identify the owner of that dog. Possibly, the dog might be tagged. You can identify it in several ways. Call the police if bitten by a dog here in Texas, get medical treatment, and get the owner’s name and address.
Whenever a dog bites you, you need to be alert if the homeowner’s insurance company contacts you. Let our attorneys talk to them. Anything you tell them might be used against you.
The insurance companies may try to make you to say things that make no sense when it is written down. But that will be more than enough for you to lose the case. Following a dog bite, don’t contact your insurance company just yet.. Those injured from a dog bite here in Texas should speak to an experienced San Antonio dog bite attorney who can help them get the compensation they deserve, not an insurance company that doesn’t care about them.
After a dog bite accident, many people wonder who they should blame for it. Whether that dog was left loose, not leashed, or kept without closing the fence, the person responsible for it will be the owner.
Hire our experienced bite injury lawyer if you were walking down the street and were bit by a dog. We know how to take action against that homeowner and they will also help to secure your dog bite claims.
Homeowners who put a “Beware of Dog” sign up know that their dog is there for protection. You can still make personal injury claims and recover compensation in certain cases. If, for example, they didn’t lock their gate, or if holes were left in their fence, or if they failed to ensure the dog was leashed and contained.