You didn’t expect it. One moment, you were walking through your neighborhood, visiting a friend, or playing with your child at the park. The next thing you knew, you were met with an animal attack. Whether you were bitten by a dog, scratched by a cat, or assaulted by a more exotic pet, animal attacks can lead to physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
Animal attacks often result in more than just visible wounds. They can leave behind infections, disfigurement, psychological trauma, and a host of legal complications. If this has happened to you or someone you love, knowing your legal rights is essential. At True Law Firm in San Antonio, we guide injury victims across Texas through the process of pursuing accountability and compensation. This guide will help you understand exactly what to do after an animal attack.
Seek immediate medical attention
Your health is the top priority after any dog bite or animal attack. Even if the bite or wound seems minor at first, animal-inflicted injuries can lead to infections, nerve damage, or diseases like rabies or tetanus. Puncture wounds from dog bites, for example, can trap bacteria deep under the skin, making them especially prone to infection.
Be sure to visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care provider as soon as possible. Let the healthcare provider know it was an animal bite so they can take the right preventive measures and begin documenting your injuries.
Report the attack to local authorities
In Texas, all instances of animal bites should be reported to local animal control or the rabies control authority. This helps protect your legal rights. Reporting creates an official record of the attack, which may be used later in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Authorities may investigate whether the animal has a history of aggression and determine if it should be quarantined for rabies monitoring. This is especially important if the dog or other animal was not vaccinated or was roaming loose in public.
Identify the animal and its owner
If you’re physically able, gather as much information as possible about the animal and the person responsible for it. This includes:
- The owner’s name and contact information
- A description of the animal (breed, color, size, etc.)
- Whether the animal is up to date on rabies vaccinations
- Any known history of previous bites or aggressive behavior
This information is crucial for your medical providers and for pursuing a legal claim. If the owner refuses to provide it or flees the scene, try to capture photos or videos of the animal and ask any nearby witnesses for help.
Document your injuries and the scene
Start creating a paper trail as soon as possible. Take clear, time-stamped photographs of your injuries, torn clothing, and the location where the attack occurred. If there were any witnesses, get their contact details and statements about what they saw.
Keep copies of medical records, doctor’s notes, prescriptions, and bills. Save all receipts for expenses like medications, travel to appointments, or lost wages due to time off work. These records will be critical when calculating the compensation you may be entitled to.
Understand your legal options in Texas
Texas law does not automatically hold owners liable for every animal attack. Instead, the state follows a “one-bite rule,” meaning the victim must show that the owner knew (or should have known) the animal had aggressive tendencies or that the owner acted negligently.
However, owners may still be liable even without a prior bite if they failed to follow leash laws, allowed the animal to roam freely, or did not properly secure a dangerous dog. These legal nuances can be complex, which is why it’s crucial to get experienced legal guidance.
Contact True Law Firm to protect your rights
An experienced personal injury attorney can make all the difference after an animal attack. At True Law Firm, we understand Texas law, insurance tactics, and how to build a strong claim on your behalf. We will evaluate the evidence, investigate the animal’s history, and help you file insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits if needed.
We also negotiate with insurance companies to pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, permanent scarring, or any disability resulting from the attack. If the case must go to court, we’ll aggressively advocate for your rights.
Avoid contact with the animal after the attack
Do not attempt to interact with the animal again, even if you feel compelled to check on it. Texas law requires certain procedures after a bite, including mandatory quarantine periods for rabies observation. Interfering with those protocols may undermine your claim.
If the animal remains in your neighborhood or is seen again off-leash, report it immediately to animal control. Ongoing behavior from the owner or the animal could pose a danger to others and strengthen your legal case.
Don’t delay because Texas has a statute of limitations
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the animal attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. This might seem like a long time, but acting quickly improves your chances of success. Evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and witness information can be lost.
The sooner you speak with a legal professional at True Law Firm, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence, obtaining medical records, and initiating your claim.
Let True Law Firm help you recover after an attack
Being attacked by an animal or dog can have both immediate and unforeseen long-term consequences. At True Law Firm, we’re committed to protecting victims and holding negligent pet owners accountable. From investigating the animal attack to negotiating your settlement, our attorneys are here to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation in San Antonio and let us handle the legalities so you can focus on healing.
