Austin Dog Bite Lawyers

Is it worth it to sue for a dog bite?

You may wonder whether pursuing legal action is worthwhile, especially when dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of an attack. While the answer often depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances surrounding the incident, you should always call an attorney to check. 

Dog bite cases can result in serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, surgery, or ongoing therapy — and the full consequences of a dog attack are rarely evident in the immediate aftermath. 

Factors that often make dog bite lawsuits worthwhile include:

• Severe injuries requiring emergency treatment or surgery
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Infections or complications from the bite
• Lost income due to inability to work
• Psychological trauma, especially in children
• Clear evidence of owner negligence or knowledge of the dog's aggressive tendencies

Even seemingly minor dog bites can result in significant medical bills and complications. Our Austin dog bite attorneys are available to evaluate your situation and discuss your potential for a claim. 

What proof is needed for a dog bite?

Like all personal injury cases, successfully pursuing a dog bite claim requires establishing several key pieces of evidence. The strength of your case often depends on the quality and completeness of the proof you can present.

Essential evidence in dog bite cases often includes:

• Medical documentation linking your injuries directly to the dog attack, including emergency room records, physician reports, and treatment plans.
• Photographic evidence of your injuries, the attack location, and the dog involved. Take photos immediately after the incident and throughout your recovery to show the progression of healing.
• Witness statements from anyone who saw the attack occur or can testify about the dog's behavior and the owner's handling of the animal.
• Official reports from animal control, police, or other authorities who responded to the incident.
• Evidence of owner negligence, such as failure to properly restrain the dog, knowledge of previous aggressive behavior, or violation of local leash laws.
• Documentation of damages, including medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs, and other expenses resulting from the attack.

One bite rule

Texas follows what's commonly referred to as the "one bite rule," which affects how dog bite liability is determined. Under the one bite rule, dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their animals if they knew or should have known about the dog's dangerous propensities. 

This doesn't necessarily mean the dog must have bitten someone before — other aggressive behaviors can establish an owner's knowledge of danger.

The one bite rule means owners may be liable when:

• The dog has previously bitten or attacked someone
• The dog has shown aggressive behavior toward people or other animals
• The owner was aware of the dog's tendency to be vicious or dangerous
• A reasonable person in the owner's position would have known the dog posed a risk

Additionally, dog owners can be held liable regardless of prior knowledge when:

• They violated local leash laws or animal control ordinances
• They were negligent in handling or restraining their dog
• They failed to properly secure their property to prevent the dog from escaping

How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?

At Smith & Vinson, we handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. In fact, you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Our contingency fee structure means:

• No initial consultation fees
• No payment required while we work on your case
• We only get paid if we win your case through settlement or trial verdict
• Our fee comes as a percentage of your final recovery

It’s important that personal injury lawyers work on contingency fee structures. Why? Victims of dog attacks and other acts of negligence deserve the best attorney they can get, regardless of their financial situation, and contingency fees allow them to do so. 

Although every case is different, attorney fees in dog bite cases usually range from 33% to 40% of your final settlement, depending on whether you had to go to trial or settled beforehand. 

How an Austin personal injury attorney can help

Dog bite cases involve unique challenges related to premises liability and dangerous dog rules — challenges that necessitate specific knowledge and experience. Our Austin personal injury attorneys bring the same aggressive advocacy to dog attack cases that has defined our success in criminal defense and other personal injury matters. 

To help you get what you deserve, the dog attack lawyers at Smith & Vinson offer:

• Thorough case investigation to establish liability and gather all available evidence supporting your claim.
• Medical expert consultation to properly document the extent of your injuries and future treatment needs.
• Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies to secure fair compensation that covers all your damages.
• Trial preparation and litigation when insurance companies refuse to offer adequate settlements.
• Guidance through the legal process so you can focus on recovery while we handle all legal aspects of your case.

Our team knows that dog attacks often involve complex insurance coverage issues, multiple potentially liable parties, and challenging medical evidence; and they have the resources and experience necessary to iron out these difficulties and get you what you deserve.

Whether you need an attorney for a dog bite, a car accident attorney in Austin, or an Austin work injury lawyer, Smith & Vinson has the expertise to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation.

Common dog bite injuries

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor wounds to life-threatening trauma. It’s important to note that the full extent of dog bite injuries is not always immediately apparent, which is why seeking immediate and comprehensive medical evaluation is essential even for seemingly minor bites.

Some common dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations are the most obvious injuries from dog bites, but the damage often extends far beyond what's visible on the surface. Dogs' teeth can cause deep tissue damage, affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves.
• Infections are a serious concern with any dog bite. Bacteria in dogs' mouths can cause cellulitis, sepsis, and other potentially life-threatening infections that require immediate antibiotic treatment.
• Nerve damage can occur when dog bites affect areas with concentrated nerve endings, such as hands, fingers, and facial areas. Nerve damage may result in permanent loss of sensation or function.
• Scarring and disfigurement are common, particularly with attacks involving the face, neck, or other visible areas. 
• Psychological trauma is often overlooked but can be equally devastating, especially for children. Many dog bite victims develop lasting fears, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
• Secondary injuries from falls or defensive actions during an attack can cause additional harm, including head injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue damage.