Do I Need a Lawyer in My Austin Dog Bite Case?

Austin is a desirable city for many reasons, including its dog-friendliness. It ranks #1 in the country for restaurants and hotels that allow dogs, and boasts a large number of animal shelters and families with pets. During a day out in the city, you’re likely to encounter more than a few dogs, which is normally a happy occasion. However, an unexpected dog bite can turn things sour quickly.

A dog bite can lead to extensive medical complications, including scarring and infection. The aftermath of a dog attack can leave you with medical debt, potentially including the cost of an expensive rabies shot, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Your best chance at seeing compensation for these damages is to file a personal injury claim. While the process of claiming damages might seem complicated, the Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw will do their best to make it easy and approachable.

If you have any questions for our lawyers, you can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and case review by calling 800-862-1260. Our English- and Spanish-speaking telephone staff is available to assist you 24/7.

The owner of the dog that bit you will only owe you damages if you and your attorney can show that your injuries were a result of their negligence. Texas dog bite law defines negligence based on a few factors, and a major one is the dog’s history of aggressive behavior.

Austin defines a dog that has already bitten someone as dangerous. The city requires owners of dangerous dogs to register their dog as dangerous, give their dog a secure enclosure, and purchase liability insurance. If the dog that bit you was registered as dangerous, it is likely that the owner’s failure to prevent that attack is indicative of negligence, and your claim is more likely to be successful.

Austin law also states that any dog that has bitten three people, or that has caused life-threatening injuries to any person or domestic animal, is vicious. Vicious dogs are prohibited within city limits. If you were bitten by a registered vicious dog, the owner was demonstrating negligence simply by bringing their dog into the city.

A serious dog bite attorney will help you go over the specifics of your attack and advise you on whether or not to move forward with legal action.

Many people think of legal counsel as inaccessibly expensive, and may not even consider it as an option. Even if you have decided to pursue a personal injury claim, you may be wondering, “do I need a lawyer in my Austin dog bite case?” While you legally have the right to represent yourself, a professional attorney will be a significant asset to your claim.

If your opponent hires an attorney themselves, or if your claim has to go through insurance, you will have to argue your case against experts who know every loophole of dog bite liability law. Even if your opponent owes you damages, you may end up with nothing if you are not able to argue your case. When you hire a personal injury attorney, you are enlisting their extensive knowledge of tort law.

A personal injury claim also requires significant paperwork with strict deadlines, which can be difficult to manage yourself while recovering from an injury. An experienced lawyer will take care of this legwork for you.

If you are concerned about being able to afford legal help, look for a lawyer who offers contingency contracts. That way, you will only owe legal fees if your claim results in a settlement.

Carabin Shaw offers contingency agreements to all clients. Call 800-862-1260 for a free consultation with one of our injury attorneys, and look into Carabin Shaw’s client reviews to learn more about the experience of working with our team.