Austin Dog Bite Attorneys

Securing Maximum Compensation After a Dog Attack in Austin

Dog bite injuries in Austin can be physically painful and emotionally traumatizing, often leading to medical bills and lasting emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been attacked, you don’t have to face the negligent dog owner or their insurance company alone. 

Lee, Gober & Reyna are dedicated Austin dog bite lawyers ready to hold responsible parties accountable. Call us today for a free, compassionate case review and start your path toward justice and financial recovery.

What Is the Texas One-Bite Rule and Does It Apply to My Case?

The “Texas One-Bite Rule” is a common term used to describe the primary legal standard for establishing liability in dog bite cases. It dictates that a dog owner is generally responsible for an attack if they knew or should have known that their dog had a propensity for biting or being aggressive.

Negligence and the Texas One-Bite Rule

The Texas Supreme Court has established that there is no automatic liability on the part of a dog owner simply because their dog bit someone. Instead, a plaintiff must prove the owner was negligent by demonstrating:

1. The owner knew the dog had previously bitten someone or shown aggressive behavior (the “one-bite” component).
2. The owner was negligent in controlling the dog or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack.
3. This negligence was the direct cause of the injury.

Aggressive Behavior Applies to More than a Bite

The “one-bite” refers to the prior incident that put the owner on notice. However, it does not necessarily have to be an actual bite. Any aggressive behavior—like growling, snapping, lunging, or previous attacks on pets—can satisfy the knowledge requirement.

How the One Bite Rule in Texas Applies to Your Case

The One-Bite Rule applies to dog bite cases in Austin, Terrell, and throughout Texas. To determine if it applies favorably to your case, your Austin dog bite attorney will investigate the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggression and their failure to act reasonably. 

Some key factors your lawyer will consider include: 

• Prior Incidents: Previous reports of biting, aggressive lunging at strangers, or attacking other animals.
• Warning Signs: The dog was frequently muzzled, kept on a heavy chain, or had “Beware of Dog” signs posted.
• Breed Considerations: While not solely proof, some breeds are viewed as having dangerous propensities, which can contribute to the owner’s knowledge, especially when combined with other behavioral issues.

• Leash Law Violation: The owner failed to restrain the dog in an area requiring a leash (a violation of local Austin ordinances can serve as powerful evidence of negligence).
• Inadequate Fencing: The dog escaped due to a broken or inadequate fence.
• Ignoring Warnings: The owner was warned the dog was acting aggressively, but they failed to remove it or restrain it.

In short, if you can prove the dog had a history of aggression and the owner failed to secure or control the dog (i.e., they were negligent), the “One-Bite Rule” works in your favor to establish the owner’s liability.

Compensation in Austin Dog Bite Lawsuits

Victims of dog attacks in Austin can seek compensation to cover the substantial costs and trauma resulting from the incident. A Texas dog bite lawsuit is designed to make the victim “whole” again by securing damages from the negligent dog owner or their insurance company.

Economic Losses

These cover all quantifiable financial expenditures resulting from the attack. This typically includes:

• Current and future medical bills (emergency room visits, plastic surgery, antibiotics, and therapy)
• Lost wages due to time off work
• Diminished earning capacity if the injury is permanent

Non-Economic Losses

These damages compensate for the intangible suffering endured by the survivor. This includes:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (such as PTSD, anxiety, or phobia of dogs)
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

In some instances where the owner exhibited gross negligence (extreme disregard for safety, such as encouraging the dog to attack), a court may award punitive damages. 

Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar reckless behavior in the future, significantly increasing the claim’s value.

Dog Bite Settlements in Texas

The value of a settlement in Texas depends heavily on the severity of the injury, the clarity of the dog’s aggressive history (“One-Bite Rule” application), and the insurance coverage available. 

Unlike auto accidents, there are no mandatory minimum liability insurance requirements for dog owners, so recovery often depends on the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

Insurance companies will attempt to deny liability and minimize compensation. That’s why it’s essential to work with an Austin or Terrell dog bite lawyer who can protect your rights and get you a full and fair recovery.

Do I Need an Austin Dog Bite Lawyer After a Dog Attack?

Following a dog attack, many survivors try to handle the claim themselves, often assuming the owner’s homeowner’s insurance will cooperate. However, due to the complexity of the Texas One-Bite Rule and the aggressive tactics of insurance adjusters, legal representation is necessary.

Navigating the “One-Bite Rule”

Proving a dog owner’s knowledge of their dog’s aggressive “propensity” is the cornerstone of a successful Texas animal bite claim. Insurance companies exploit the ambiguity of this rule to deny liability. 

Lee, Gober & Reyna will meticulously investigate the dog’s history, gather neighbor testimony, and analyze public records to firmly establish the owner’s prior knowledge, thus satisfying the one-bite rule.

Securing Fair Compensation

Dog bite injuries frequently result in severe disfigurement and psychological trauma. Insurance adjusters often attempt to downplay the severity of scars, nerve damage, and PTSD. 

Our Austin dog bite lawyers work with medical experts and plastic surgeons to accurately value your current and future economic losses, ensuring the settlement accounts for the full, long-term impact of the injury, including pain and suffering and necessary future revision surgeries. 

We handle the aggressive negotiation with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Why You Should Choose Lee, Gober & Reyna as Your Texas Dog Bite Lawyers

Choosing the right law firm is important after a traumatic dog attack, as the legal standards in Texas are uniquely challenging. Lee, Gober & Reyna offers the focus needed to overcome these obstacles and secure maximum compensation for your injuries.

• Experience with the “One-Bite Rule”: We understand the complex Texas law requiring proof of the owner’s prior knowledge of aggression, a vital element many firms overlook.
• Aggressive Evidence Collection: We promptly investigate the dog’s history, obtaining Animal Control records and neighbor testimony to firmly establish the owner’s liability.
• Focus on Disfigurement and Trauma: We understand dog bites cause lasting physical and psychological damage, working with plastic surgeons and mental health experts to accurately value lifetime losses.
• Corporate Negotiation Experience: We are adept at negotiating against homeowner’s insurance companies to ensure the settlement covers all current and future medical needs, including revision surgeries.
• Trial Readiness: Our preparation of every case for trial gives us the leverage necessary to secure the maximum compensation possible during negotiations.