If a dog bites you, you should seek medical attention right away so your injuries can be treated. If possible, you may also want to write down the dog owner’s name, address, and phone number. Once you have tended to your injuries, you can work with a Dallas personal injury lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins to find out if your injuries warrant compensation.
Pet owners in Dallas are expected to maintain control of their dogs at all times, whether they are going for a leisurely walk through their neighborhood or taking their pet to the park to roam around.
How to Pursue Compensation After Being Bitten by a Dog in Dallas
The cost of medical care today is substantially higher than what it was years ago, and the last thing you likely planned on having to pay for was a trip to the hospital to treat your dog bite injury.
However, the City of Dallas implemented animal-related ordinances that aim to keep people protected from being attacked by dogs. There may be a way for you to recover compensation to make up for the expenses your dog bite injury has caused you to incur.
File a Claim with the Pet Owner’s Homeowner’s Insurance Carrier
Some homeowner’s insurance companies and renter’s insurance carriers extend coverage to pets. This means the dog owner’s insurance company may be held financially liable for your damages.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) says that insurers will provide up to a policyholder’s liability limits, which is usually anywhere between $100,000 to $300,000 given
The Insurance Company May Try to Avoid Paying You
Although the dog owner’s insurance carrier may cover dog bite injuries, that does not necessarily mean it is going to cover yours. Insurance companies often find ways to reduce the value of the claims they receive or find a way to deny certain ones. Therefore, instead of the insurer providing you with the compensation you might be due, the adjuster may provide you with a reduced settlement offer or tell you your claim cannot be paid.
Fortunately, when you are represented by a Dallas personal injury attorney from our firm, they can challenge the insurer’s decision by filing an appeal on your behalf or attempt to negotiate with the adjuster to increase the value of your claim. In the meantime, you can focus your attention on getting better.
Another way you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of a dog bite is by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner. You would generally file a lawsuit if the owner’s insurance policy’s limits are exhausted or the dog’s owner doesn’t have insurance coverage that extends to dog bites.
The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Texas
When filing a personal injury lawsuit against a dog’s owner, you will need to show that it was their negligent actions that led to the incident occurring. You can do this by proving the owner was violating one or more state or city laws.
In the event you are considering filing a dog bite injury lawsuit, you are subjected to a time limit, which is referred to as the statute of limitations. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your incident to come forward with your lawsuit.In the event you let the statute of limitations expire, you may no longer have the grounds to sue.
Call in the Strong Arm Attorneys for Legal Advice and Representation If a Dog Bit You in Dallas
If you or your child was walking through your neighborhood or visiting your local park and you were bitten by a dog, you can contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins so that we can evaluate your case and determine if you are entitled to recover compensation for the injuries you suffered.
