If you or someone you love is one of the millions of Americans who’s been bitten by a dog, it’s important to know that you have rights. Perhaps more importantly, it’s important to know that the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days that follow the dog attack can have a huge impact on those rights and your future.
Speaking with an experienced Round Rock dog bite lawyer can make all the difference in protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to do after sustaining a Round Rock dog bite injury in Texas to mitigate your injuries, protect your future, and increase the odds of recovering compensation for your resulting damages.
Seek Medical Attention No Matter the Severity of the Dog Bite Injury
Dog bites are way more common than you might think. In fact, more than 4.5 million people across the United States reportedly suffer dog bites every year, more than half of them children. For nearly 18 percent of these dog bite victims, a trip to the emergency room is necessary because their injuries are so severe.
Dog attacks can be incredibly traumatic, and it’s easy for your body to go into shock. When it does, it can mask critical signs and symptoms of severe physical injuries. If you delay seeking medical care after a dog bite, it could allow the injury to get worse or give rise to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
Getting to the emergency room or an urgent treatment center as soon as you can will help to ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and documented. This will reduce the risk of infection and, in some cases, long-term issues, as well as create a formal record of the injury that can be used to support a legal claim for damages against the dog’s owner.
Report the Dog Bite to the Local Rabies Control Authority
In Texas, state law requires that all dog bites be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LBCA).
You’ll need to provide information about the dog attack, including the location, time, date, a description of the dog, and any available information about the dog’s owner.
The LBCA will investigate the dog bite and quarantine the animal for at least 10 days.
Gather Evidence to Support Your Round Rock Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas
In Texas, you can file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the owner of the dog that bit you. The state follows a one-bite rule, which means that the owner isn’t automatically responsible for your damages if this is the first time the dog bit someone or displayed aggressive tendencies. However, if the owner’s negligence contributed to the dog bite, or if the dog has a documented history of viciousness, the owner can be on the hook for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
When you file a dog bite lawsuit, you’ll need evidence to establish liability and prove your damages. You can help your case by starting to document the dog attack right away. How? By taking pictures of the scene of the dog attack, the animal, and your physical injuries. Preserve your clothing and anything that might have been damaged in the attack. Gather the names and information of anyone who witnessed the dog attack.
All of this can help your dog bite lawyer in Round Rock understand what happened, conduct a more successful independent investigation into the dog bite, and build a compelling legal claim to help you recover compensation for your financial losses and harder-to-value pain and suffering.
Call an Experienced Round Rock Dog Bite Attorney Near You for Help
Don’t try to navigate the aftermath of a dog bite on your own. Call the experienced Round Rock dog bite lawyers at Dow Law Firm for help. We have decades of experience fighting for the injured and a multi-million dollar track record of success.
There’s no charge for an initial case review, so contact our dog bite attorneys in Round Rock today at (512) 240-9951 to schedule a consultation.