Texas is considered to be a "one bite state." This means that if you or a loved one is bitten by another person's dog, that dog owner may be held liable for your injuries. The One Bite Rule does stipulate that the owner must have been either aware of, or had reason to believe, the dog was predisposed to biting or causing a similar type of injury to be held liable. This holds true whether the dog's handler at the time of the accident was the owner or another individual. Any failure by an owner or handler to stop his or her dog from attacking may also be actionable under Texas law. In cases where the owner had no reason to believe the dog would behave in such a manner, or the dog had no previous signs of aggressiveness, the owner may not liable for any injuries caused as a result of a dog bite. Providing the owner had previous knowledge of his or her dog's aggression or the dog has bitten another person before, the dog owner can and will be held liable for any future injuries the dog causes.
It is not uncommon to see dog owners taking quick action to imply the victim was somehow responsible for provoking the dog and thus causing the attack. It is extremely important that you obtain legal counsel as soon as possible after being bitten or attacked by another person's dog. A skilled injury lawyer at The Doan Law Firm, P.C. will be able to thoroughly investigate the dog's history, find out if there were any prior attacks or instances of aggression, and help gather sufficient evidence to prove the owner was aware of the dog's aggressive predisposition. In cases where the owner's negligence or failure to take proper safety measures is in question, the firm will be able to help build a case to help defend your right to seek compensation. They will also act to establish that you did not provoke the dog, and were not aware of any imminent danger.
All of these actions are essential when filing a claim with the dog owner's insurance company to seek compensation for the injuries you sustained. Should your case go to court, the evidence will be key to your case and to getting you the compensation you rightfully deserve. If you believe you may have the right to recover damages after being bitten or attacked by another person's dog, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer at the firm at once.