Grapevine Dog Bite Lawyer
Although humans domesticated dogs to serve as companions and provide protection, these animals still resemble the wolves from which they descended. Dogs’ sharp teeth and powerful jaws can inflict serious injuries when they attack. Moreover, their size and strength also enable dogs to injure humans by knocking them to the ground or otherwise assaulting them.
If you suffered injuries in a dog attack, you might not be sure how to proceed, particularly if you know the owner of the dog. A Grapevine dog bite lawyer can review your options for recovering compensation to cover medical bills, pain, and other effects of the injuries. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer to hold the dog owner accountable could help you obtain a just outcome and protect others from suffering similar injuries in the future.
Protection After a Dog Bite
Any animal, including dogs, can harbor dangerous germs in saliva. Someone bitten by a dog should seek immediate medical attention and follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. It is also important to report the bite to Grapevine Animal Services. The agency is responsible for investigating the potential for rabies and quarantining any animal known to have bitten a human.
Grapevine Ordinance 2018-001 §6-31(b) requires individuals who are bitten or scratched to report the incident for investigation. Moreover, reporting a dog bite can help protect others from a dangerous animal, and the report provides documentation for filing claims.
To help establish liability, it is also a good idea after a dog bite to identify witnesses who saw or heard what happened. Photographing the scene and injuries also provides valuable evidence to support a claim. A Grapevine dog bite attorney could assist with many of these tasks.
Liability for a Dog Bite
A dog owner’s liability for harm caused by their animal is established by state common law rather than statute. Generally, a dog bite victim may recover compensation for injuries under a negligence standard if the victim can show that the dog owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the bite.
Additionally, a dog bite victim may also be entitled to compensation if they can show that the dog owner knew the dog had bitten someone or acted aggressively in the past. One of the ways a dog bite lawyer can help in a situation is to collect and preserve evidence to demonstrate that the owner was aware of the dog’s dangerous tendencies or that the owner failed to take reasonable measures to control the dog and prevent the animal from biting.
Compensation Could Cover a Range of Consequences
Dog attacks frequently cause both physical and emotional trauma. A dog may inflict puncture wounds and crush injuries that leave permanent scars on the inside as well as the outside.
A dog bite lawyer in Grapevine could help an injured individual recover compensation for effects such as:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages due to time off work
Compensation may be provided for each factor regardless of whether a case settles in advance or proceeds to trial.
Talk to a Grapevine Dog Bite Attorney
Working with an experienced injury lawyer right from the start can provide many benefits. A Grapevine dog bite lawyer could handle questions from investigators and insurance companies who might try to trick you into saying something that could be used to deny liability.
An attorney could investigate to recover evidence, and then work to obtain fair compensation in the most expedient manner. Working with an experienced legal advocate gives you an ally throughout the process while you try to recover from the trauma of the attack. Call today to schedule a consultation.