If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog and injured or killed, the dog bite lawyers in Tyler at The Benton Law Firm are ready to fight for you. Dog bites can cause serious injuries, particularly when the victim is a young child or elderly person. All pet owners are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent their animals from hurting people. But some neglect this duty, putting family members, friends, and passersby in harm’s way.
At The Benton Law Firm, we believe that negligent dog owners should be held accountable when they allow their pets to cause injury to unsuspecting victims. As an experienced personal injury firm serving Tyler, we deeply understand how the law around dog bites works in Texas. We will use that understanding to help increase your chances of winning significant compensation for your injuries, either in or out of court. To learn more about how we can help you after a dog bite, contact us at (214) 777-7777.
Injuries caused by dog bites
Being attacked by a dog can be frightening. In addition to the force of the actual bite, you may be pushed to the ground or into a nearby object, resulting in further injuries. Here are some of the common types of injuries resulting from dog attacks:
- Puncture wounds
- Cuts and abrasions
- Severe bleeding
- Infection
- Broken bones
- Muscle damage
In addition to these injuries that can come with any dog bite, dogs that have not had all their shots pose an extra danger to humans. A bite from an unvaccinated dog can result in serious and life-threatening illnesses such as rabies. If a dog has bitten you, you should always ask the owner about its vaccination history and see a doctor as soon as possible.
What to do if a dog bites you
Suffering a dog attack can be a terrifying experience. It can be difficult to know what to do at the moment. Here are some steps you can take if a dog bites you to increase your chances of a healthy recovery. If you were seriously injured, this information would help you in an eventual personal injury claim:
- Get away from the dog. When dogs become vicious, they can attack again and again. Put some space between yourself and the animal to lessen the risk of a second attack.
- Seek out first aid. Even if your bleeding is not severe now, you will want to get it taken care of and reduce your risk of infection. If you are experiencing severe bleeding or another medical emergency, call 911 and ask for an ambulance.
- Ask the owner about the dog. It is important to determine whether the dog has received all its vaccinations. If not, you could be at risk of illnesses such as rabies. Your doctor should know about this risk and be ready to screen you. Documenting this information can also come in handy for your personal injury claim later on.
- Report the dog bite. Unlike in a car accident, you are unlikely to get a police report documenting everything about a dog bite. Nonetheless, having official documentation that the attack occurred will help with your personal injury claim later. From 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, you can call Tyler Animal Services at (903) 535-0045. Outside these hours, you can call the Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1000.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you think you are okay, you should see a doctor to ensure your injuries do not require further treatment. If you were seriously injured, having the proper medical documentation and saving all bills will be important in receiving compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
If you were seriously injured, our dog bite lawyers in Tyler can help
After you have taken steps to deal with the attack’s immediate aftermath, you can consider your legal options. You may be able to win significant compensation in a personal injury suit. However, even if you skipped some of these steps right after your accident, a personal injury lawyer from The Benton Law Firm can still work with you to help you recover.
Holding a dog owner liable in Tyler
The City of Tyler has an entire chapter of its Code of Ordinances containing laws about animals (Chapter 14). Nonetheless, state laws are the most important laws in any personal injury suit. Texas does not have a statute on the books saying when a dog owner can be held liable for an attack. However, the Supreme Court of Texas decided in 1974 that Texas courts should apply the ‘one-bite rule.’ This means that if a dog has bitten even one person in the past, the owner can be held liable for any future attacks. The idea is that a dog attacked before has shown its potential to be vicious. Owners of such dogs must take extra care to keep their pets from hurting others.
The one-bite rule for your case means that to win, you must prove that the dog has attacked in the past. Depending on whether previous bites have been reported to the authorities, this may be easy or difficult. Whatever the case, an experienced Tyler dog bite lawyer from The Benton Law Firm can help you investigate the dog’s past behavior and build a case that the owner should have known their dog was vicious.
Contact the dog bite lawyers in Tyler today
Recovering from a dog bite can be a difficult time in your life. In addition to dealing with the pain of your injuries, you may find yourself with sky-high medical bills and a loss in income if you cannot return to work. On top of this, you may find it hard to trust a man’s best friend again. You don’t have to go through this alone.
If a dog or someone you love has bitten you, the Tyler injury attorneys of The Benton Law Firm are ready to fight for you. With our help, you could win significant compensation from the negligent dog owner, including medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. For more information on how we can help, call us now at (214) 777-7777.