Seeking Dog Bite Damages in Austin Texas
Austin, TX is one of the most dog friendly cities in America. Whether eating outside at a restaurant, hanging out in a park, or walking down the street, you're bound to run into many dogs with their owners. The quantity of dogs in Austin means that dog bites can happen anywhere in the city.
On top of being traumatic, a dog bite in Austin can lead to many other problems for a victim. To deal with the complications of a dog bite, you might be forced to pursue legal action. If you decide to pursue legal action, you should make sure to find the right attorney for you to help you navigate the complicated legal path ahead of you. Working with the top Texas attorneys Carabin Shaw will help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?Like with any traumatic injury, you might not know what to do in the aftermath of a dog bite. The most important thing to remember is that you should get help from a medical professional immediately. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to take other steps that can help you build a legal case.
Here are some of the steps to take after sustaining an injury from a dog bite:
- photograph your injury
- photograph or video the area where the dog bite occurred
- record the information about the dog
- record contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- report bite to property owner and police
- contact a lawyer
Having correct and complete documentation will help your Austin dog bite attorneys build the best case for you. Your case is ultimately only as strong as the evidence supporting it. To that end, here are some tips for photographing your injuries and the environment the bite occurred in.
When photographing your injuries, make sure the injuries are in focus and lighted correctly. You may also want to use a common object like a quarter for scale. For the best results, you may want to have someone else take the photos.
Knowing what to document about the area in which your dog bite occurred can be a little more difficult. If the dog left private property, make sure to photograph the height of the property’s fencing and whether any gates or doors were open. If the dog bite was in an open area, make sure to photograph any signs about pet conduct and whether the dog had a leash.
Suing Over a Dog BiteTexas, unlike other states, does not have laws that outline the liability of a dog owner when their animal bites someone. Austin injury attorneys can help you understand the best way to pursue your case.
A dog owner found liable for injuries caused by their animal will be required to cover damages. Common types of damages covered by dog bite suits include:
- mental distress
- physical injury and medical costs
- losses from missed work
- chronic pain, disfigurement, or disability
The dog owner’s insurance will cover these damages. However, if a dog owner does not have insurance that covers their animal, they will need to cover damages with their own assets. Additionally, your injury might be covered by workers’ compensation if it occurred while trying to complete a work activity (such as delivering a package or repairing a house).
Taking Your Next StepIf you’re ready to take the next step and find legal representation, contact the personal injury experts at Carabin Shaw. A review of Carabin Shaw’s client reviews will show you how committed we are to our clients’ wellbeing.
To see Carabin Shaw’s expertise in action, call 800-862-1260 for a free case review. Our staff is available for you 24/7 in both English AND Spanish. Call today so you can begin the process of getting the compensation you deserve.