What do I do if a dog bites me?

Every year thousands of people across the nation are bitten or badly injured by a dog and/or other animals. While some of the injuries may not be serious, some of them can be very bad and require surgical intervention to repair wounds or, worse, the victim is killed. Dog bites happen more often than you would expect.

If you have been attacked by an animal, make sure to seek medical care, no matter how small you think the injury may or may not be. Also, if possible, attempt to get information about the animal and the owner. While that may not always be possible, if you can try to get a picture of the animal and/or owner, someone may recognize them later.

It’s important to try and identify the owner and dog because you may then be able to determine if the animal was vaccinated for rabies. If you do not have an answer to that question when the doctor asks if the animal was vaccinated, you may end up having to endure painful, but protective rabies shots. It is also a good idea to consult with an experienced Austin dog bite attorney to find out what your legal options are in your situation.

You may wonder why you would need an attorney for a dog bite when you just need to file a claim for damages against the animal’s owner and the owner’s home insurance. But these claims are complicated.

First, you need to remember that the insurance company is not your friend. The insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible. And you probably don’t know enough about the law to know your rights so that you can fight back at them to get the amount you’re entitled to receive.

Beyond that, the insurance company isn’t always completely truthful to victims of dog attacks. For example, insurance companies frequently offer you a settlement amount, which might sound good, but they don’t explain that you might have to use that money to pay back your health insurance company for any benefits the health insurance company paid.

Other Dog Bite FAQs:

• Are dog bites a common occurrence?
• Are dog bites common in Texas?
• Are the dog bite laws the same across Texas?
• Are there some common misconceptions about dog bite liability?
• Can you sue for a dog bite in Texas?
• Do I have to prove that the animal that attacked me is vicious?
• Do I have to prove the dog that attacked me was vicious?
• Do I need to take pictures after being bitten by a dog?
• How is liability for a dog bite established?
• How long does it take for a dog bite case to get to/go through court?
• I think the dog that bit me might have rabies. What do I do now?
• I was bitten by a dog the other day and needed stitches. Who is responsible/liable for the dog biting me?
• My mother witnessed a dog attack and someone said there was a possibility of filing a bystander claim. Is that possible?
• My neighbor’s dog bit me and he accused me of provoking the canine. Does that mean I don’t have a lawsuit?
• What am I supposed to do if I get bitten by a dog?
• What are the most common factors showing a dog owner knew or should have known their animal may be vicious?
• What are the worst injuries sustained during a dog attack?
• What compensation can I recover in a dog bite case?
• What do I do if a dog bites me?
• What happens if a dog not previously regarded as dangerous bites me?
• What is the current law in Texas in regard to dog bites?
• Who are usually the victims of dog bites?
• Who is responsible for paying damages in a dog bite case?
• Who responsible for paying any damages after the dog attack?