After a Dog Bite Accident in San Antonio

On any given day in San Antonio, there are thousands of dogs in public places such as cafes, restaurant patios, parks, and breweries. For many, the site of canine companions makes our city a friendlier place. While most local dogs are adorable, friendly pets, unfortunately, there is always the risk that a dangerous dog will attack unknowing bystanders.

San Antonio dog bites are more common than we like to think. In fact, the CDC reports that the state of Texas is number one for dog bite injury claims. This means that there are substantial numbers of victims in San Antonio affected by these attacks who deserve to hold negligent dog owners financially responsible. Learning more about Texas dog bite laws can help victims explore their options in the aftermath of an attack.

The state of Texas has enacted laws to provide recourse to those suffering from dog bite injuries and penalties for negligent dog owners. The key points of Texas laws pertaining to dog bite injuries are:

A 1974 ruling by the Texas Supreme Court, Marshall vs. Ranne, officially established Texas as a “one-bite” state. This means that a dog owner isn’t liable for a dog’s first bite as they could have no knowledge or forewarning to prevent the attack. After the first bite, however, Texas law considers dog owners liable for further attacks. This means owners must take reasonable steps to prevent further instances of aggression (for example, muzzling their dog while on walks, not taking them to public places, etc.).

Texas considers dogs the property of the owner, so these attacks are generally considered through the lens of premises liability law (not personal liability law). This means that the dog owner is considered financially responsible for injuries caused by their dog (after the first bite attack; see “one-bite” rule).

Texas allows accident victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages after a dog bite attack. This could include losses such as medical bills, reconstructive surgeries, infected bites, muscle or nerve damage, and, in the worst cases, the loss of a loved one.

According to Texas law, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. This means that any claims must be filed within this time period or victims may forfeit their right to seek compensation.

Awareness of what to do in the aftermath of a dog bite attack can help victims make the right choices after their accident. If you or a loved one are bitten by an aggressive dog, you should:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment
2. Get dog owner’s contact information
3. Collect witness statements of attack
4. Keep careful records of your injuries and/or losses caused by dog bite attack
5. Hire an experienced dog bite injury attorney
6. File your claim within two years of the attack

Dog bite injuries can cause severe injuries or even death. If you or a loved one have suffered losses as a result of a dog bite in San Antonio, the injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help you seek fair compensation. For decades, our attorneys have been the foremost option for San Antonio dog bite victims like you. Carabin Shaw’s client reviews illustrate our firm’s history of dedication and success representing San Antonio accident victims and their families.

Hiring a Carabin injury lawyer is the most important step towards seeing the compensation you deserve for your dog bite injuries. To schedule your no-cost, no-obligation case review with a Carabin Shaw attorney, contact our English and Spanish-speaking staff toll-free at 800-862-1260.