Have you been injured by a dog bite in The Woodlands, Texas? The dog’s owner could be held responsible for your injuries. You might be owed monetary compensation for your medical bills and your pain and suffering.
Dog bite cases can be complex, so getting the compensation you are owed may require you to get the help of an experienced lawyer. The team at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers has over 45 years of combined experience helping injury victims after all types of accidents, and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for these victims.
The days following a dog bite can be crucial to gathering the evidence needed to prove your claim. Call 346-534-7242 or contact us as soon after your accident as possible so we can get started helping you. Schedule your free consultation with a Woodlands dog bite lawyer today.
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How Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in The Woodlands
Holding a dog’s owner responsible and getting compensation after a dog bite can be difficult. Thankfully, at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to prove and win these cases. Our experienced team handles complex personal injury claims every day, and we have the experience to help you, too.
After your dog bite accident in The Woodlands, TX, we can:
- Investigate your accident to determine what happened and identify the dog’s owner
- Research the dog’s history to uncover any history of biting or aggression
- Interview witnesses who saw the attack or what led up to it
- Complete all necessary paperwork for the insurance claims process
- Handle all communications with the dog’s owner and opposing counsel
- Negotiate a top-dollar settlement for your injury claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to a jury if necessary
Dog bites can be painful, and they can leave you suffering financially as well. Know that you do not have to go through this tough time alone. Let our Woodlands dog bite attorneys help you get all the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Schedule your free consultation today.
Texas Dog Bite Laws
Texas generally follows what is sometimes known as the “one free bite” rule when it comes to liability for dog bites. Under this rule, a dog owner may be held liable for injuries resulting from a dog bite if the owner knew of a previous bite or aggression toward people. Additionally, dog owners can be held liable if their negligence caused the victim’s injuries.
For example, a dog owner may be negligent in their handling or control of the dog. If this negligence caused the victim’s injuries, then the victim has a good chance of being successful with their personal injury claim. Texas laws also allow a dog owner to be held criminally liable for injuries resulting from unprovoked attacks.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
One of the first things that many accident victims wonder is how much their case will be worth. After all, many victims have trouble paying for all their medical bills and other injury-related expenses after an accident. Remember that no two dog bite accidents are the same, so comparing one case to another is not always the best way to assess a case’s value.
Instead, your case should be evaluated based on your specific injuries. Cases involving more severe injuries will be worth more than those involving less severe injuries. Some of the factors that can affect the final valuation of your claim are:
- The amount of insurance available
- The cost of all your medical treatments
- The severity of your injuries
- How much time you missed from work
- Any permanent scarring or disfigurement resulting from your injuries
- Your expected future medical care needs
- How your injuries have affected your daily life and your relationships
Most dog owners have some type of insurance that will cover these types of accidents. In fact, Texas law requires owners of certain breeds to carry liability insurance. However, getting the insurance company to pay up can be easier said than done.
The best way to determine the value of your case is by getting help from an experienced lawyer. Let Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers help you determine how much your case is worth by working with your doctors to understand all your injuries and evaluating all the facts of your case. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get started.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Accident victims usually suffer many types of damages after a dog bite, including both economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are used to compensate the victim for their monetary or financial losses. Some common economic damages available in Texas dog bite cases include:
- Emergency treatment
- Surgery
- Prescription medication costs
- Over-the-counter medicine costs
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
Economic damages have a very specific dollar value, and there is direct evidence that can be used to prove this value. This evidence is often in the form of bills, invoices, receipts, or other financial documentation. On the other hand, non-economic damages are more subjective and more difficult to prove. Common examples are:
- Permanent fear of dogs
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, the value of your non-economic damages may be worth as much as five times the value of your economic damages. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you identify all the damages to which you may be entitled. Contact Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers today to let us help evaluate your claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
You probably already know that you should hire a lawyer to help pursue your dog bite claim. However, you might think that you will have to come up with a large retainer fee for a lawyer to get started on your case. How will you do that with all the expenses you already have after your injuries?
We have good news! Hiring a dog bite lawyer will not cost you a dime on the front end. You can have an experienced lawyer get started on your case today without coming up with any upfront money. Dog bite lawyers and other personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
When using a contingency fee, the lawyer does not require an upfront payment. Instead, they take their fee as a portion of any recovery they get for their client. In dog bite cases, this fee can range anywhere from 25% to 45% of the total financial recovery in the case. Some factors that can affect the final amount of the fee include:
- Geographic location
- Lawyer’s experience level
- Lawyer’s success rate or track record
- Complexity of the case
- Whether the case settles or goes to trial
The Rules of Professional Conduct in Texas require that contingency fee agreements be in writing and plainly state how the fee will be calculated. At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, you never owe us a fee unless we win your case. Call us today to let us get to work helping you get compensation for your injuries.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Dog Bite in Texas?
A common tactic used by insurance companies to avoid paying claims is to blame the victim for the accident. In dog bite cases, the defense may try to claim that the victim’s own behavior is what led to the bite. Even if you were partially responsible for your accident, you may still be able to recover compensation in Texas.
Texas follows a rule known as modified comparative negligence. Under this rule, a victim may still recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault for their injuries. Their recovery will, however, be reduced by their portion of the fault. For instance, a victim who is found to be 25% responsible for their accident will only be entitled to recover 75% of their damages from the defendant.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause serious damage, and some victims are left dealing with the effects of their injuries for years to come. Some of the most common injuries suffered in dog bite cases include:
- Facial injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Muscle or tendon damage
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Infections
- Eye injuries or partial blindness
Even small dogs can leave victims with severe injuries. A dog’s sharp teeth and powerful jaws can do a lot of damage to human skin and tissue. We can work with your medical providers to understand all your injuries and how they have affected you. We will fight diligently to get you fair compensation for all those injuries.
What Causes Most Dog Bites in The Woodlands, Texas?
Dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, and they may bite for no apparent reason. Although there is sometimes no explanation for a dog bite, they are commonly the result of:
- Fear
- Sickness
- Pain
- Prior trauma
- Aggression
- Territory protection
- Sudden, quick movements
- Loud noises
- Provocation
Children can be especially susceptible to dog bites due to their sometimes loud or erratic behavior. If you or your child has suffered a dog bite in The Woodlands, contact us today to let us put our experience to work for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Texas?
In most dog bite cases, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long to talk to an attorney for help can cause this deadline to slip by, and this can result in a total loss of your rights to recover compensation. Call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers today to let us help ensure you do not lose your right to recover compensation.
Contact Our The Woodlands Dog Bite Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you have been bitten by a dog in The Woodlands, Texas, do not wait too long to get help. Call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers today to let us get started helping with your claim. We can take care of all the legal details while you focus on getting back on your feet. Schedule your free consultation with a Woodlands dog bite lawyer today.
