If a vicious dog injured you or someone you love, you need to know the role insurance plays in dog bite claims. It can be complicated since multiple insurance companies could cover your losses via homeowners’, renters’, or pet liability insurance policies. Thankfully, you do not have to figure this out on your own.
Your Dallas dog bite lawyer will deal with the insurance adjuster, including identifying the right insurance policy to pursue, filing your claim, and communicating on your behalf. A dog bite can be physically traumatic, requiring significant medical care, including cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Your lawyer will include all current and future medical care in your list of recoverable damages.
Homeowners’ or Renters’ Insurance Typically Covers Dog Bite Claims
Seeking financial compensation after a dog bite can be complicated. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance might cover your damages. If they rent their home, their renters’ insurance may provide coverage.
Additional insurance policies that may cover your damages can include:
- An umbrella policy—If the owner has an umbrella insurance policy, it may cover bite-related costs beyond your medical bills, like lost wages, etc.
- A pet liability policy—If the owner has a separate pet policy, your lawyer will pursue it for compensation.
Your personal injury lawyer will deal with the insurance company, including speaking to the adjuster, completing and submitting claim forms, and negotiating for a favorable settlement.
Homeowners’ Insurance May Not Always Cover Dog Bite Claims
Some homeowners’ insurance companies refuse to cover dogs of certain breeds like pit bulls, Doberman pinschers, and rottweilers. If the homeowners’ insurance disclaims your compensation request for this or any reason, your dog bite attorney can identify additional ways you can seek damages.
In addition to searching for additional insurance coverage, your lawyer may recommend suing the dog’s owner directly.
How a Solid Evidence Collection Can Prove Financial Liability
Evidence is a critical part of your dog bite case because it can establish strict liability or prove negligence, either of which can entitle you to recover damages. Its substance can also help your lawyer steer your case toward a settlement rather than a trial.
The evidence your lawyer will collect may include:
- Veterinary records
- Animal control records
- Police report
- Witness statements
- First responder reports
- Medical records
Additional evidence, such as a written prognosis, medical bills, and proof of income, will prove the monetary value of your claim. Your personal injury attorney will build your case file for you rather than taxing you or your family with evidence collection.
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Injury Victims
As a dog bite victim, you can request compensatory damages, including economic and non-economic compensation. Economic damages are tangible and can usually be verified with bills and receipts. They include:
- All injury-related medical expenses
- All injury-related income loss
- Loss of the ability to earn in the future
- Damaged or destroyed property
The non-economic damages your lawyer may request include:
- Impairments and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In addition to assessing your recoverable damages, you must also prove their monetary value. Your legal team will clarify the difference between economic and non-economic damages and collect tangible evidence of their value.
Wrongful Death Compensation for Surviving Families
If a dog bite or attack led to the loss of a loved one, your dog bite attorney will request appropriate compensation on your behalf. The animal’s owner could be liable for the following wrongful death damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s income
- Loss of their contributions to your family
- Loss of consortium and guidance
- Loss of companionship and support
While you focus on caring for your family and coping with an unexpected loss, your dog bite injury lawyer will handle all the details of building the best possible case for you.
What You Need to Know About Texas’ Dog Bite Lawsuit Filing Deadlines
The lawyer who represents you will fight hard for a fair and appropriate out-of-court settlement. However, they may also file a lawsuit on your behalf to protect your right to request a trial if you cannot reach an acceptable settlement agreement in time.
In general, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. If you do not file your lawsuit by the deadline, the court could prevent you from filing it at all or dismiss it immediately.
To help you avoid this potentially costly outcome, your lawyer will identify any factors of your case that might alter the filing deadline. Their familiarity with personal injury law means they can accurately interpret the statute of limitations.
How Texas’ Proportionate Responsibility Law Can Affect Your Case
The owner of the dog that bit you or your loved one or their legal or insurance representative may allege that your actions played a role in the biting incident. Actions they might cite include:
- The dog was angered or provoked.
- There was an assumption of risk.
- The bite victim was trespassing.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, any proven allegation could decrease your potential compensation by your percentage of fault. A lawyer can help you fight for a fair distribution of fault or prove you did not contribute to the incident at all.
You do not have to navigate the legalities of your case alone. Your dog bite attorney will handle it for you, so you can focus your time and energy on recovery.
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Get a Free Review of Your Dog Bite Claim
If a dog severely injured you or a loved one, you probably want to know what role insurance plays in your dog bite claim and which insurance company to pursue. When a dog bite attorney from our team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins represents you, we will handle all these details for you.
Put our client-focused law firm to work on your compensation request without delay by contacting our consultation team today.