15 Apr
Dog bites can occur and cause serious injuries and long lasting emotional and physical pain. Even when the dog bites only one time, this can still cause physical and emotional scars. You want to be able to walk down the street without fearing getting bitten by someone else’s dog; however, this scary situation can and does happen. So, what if you were bitten by a dog? Do you need a lawyer?
Why You May Need a Lawyer
A gentle nip by a dog may not necessitate a need for a lawyer. However, if the dog bite is serious and you have long lasting injuries from the incident, it may be advisable to take your issue a step further and contact a lawyer. Here are some instances where a personal injury attorney may be needed for a dog bite situation:
Current Injuries Involved
If you are bitten by a dog and sustain immediate injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay for the medical bills if you weren’t at fault. When you consult an attorney, the legal professional can tell you if there is potential for your medical payments to be covered by the owner of the dog or the insurance company. You want to ensure that you have your medical bills paid for any injuries incurred. A personal injury attorney can help you with this matter.
Future Medical Conditions and Payments
You may have experienced present injuries; however, future medical conditions may result from the dog bite. When you hire an attorney to help you with your dog bite case, the legal professional will take into consideration that future medical conditions may be an issue and current injuries may continue to plague you as the months and years progress.
Insurance Company Claims Issues
Sometimes it’s easier to put in an insurance claim and have it accepted than other times. When you come across insurance claims issues, your personal injury attorney can deal with the insurance companies so that you won’t have to do so. There may come a time when the dog bite case becomes more involved, due to the insurance company’s claims or refusal to pay the proceeds of an insurance policy. Let an experienced attorney handle the insurance company issues for you.
Protect Your Rights
Having an attorney by your side after a dog bite incident can provide you with peace of mind knowing you can protect your rights. Issues may arise where the dog owner may claim you were a trespasser or antagonized the dog prior to the bite. Whatever the issue may be, a personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights and get necessary compensation when you have medical bills, lost wages, and other costs due to the dog bite incident.
How to Determine If Hiring a Lawyer is Right for You
Before you call a personal injury attorney as a result of the dog bite incident, consider if this is the right thing to do. Here are some questions to ponder to determine if you should hire a lawyer for this type of incident:
- Was the dog bite severe?
- Did the dog bite result in medical visits?
- Did you lose time at work due to the dog bite incident?
- Is there a dispute of liability from the dog owner?
- Is there an insurance company involved that you need help dealing with in this matter?
- Do you need further medical visits due to the dog bite?
These are just a few of the questions you should consider before hiring an attorney to help you with a dog bite matter. You can always call a local attorney for an initial consultation even if you’re unsure that you’ll pursue action against the dog owner. It always helps to gather the information and then decide how you want to proceed.
Parks Law Firm Can Help You With Your Personal Injury Matter
If you live in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, or San Antonio areas of Texas and have suffered a dog bite, the Parks Law Firm is here to help. We’ll speak with you about the incident and let you know the options for proceeding against the owner of the dog if you choose to do so. We offer compassionate, knowledgeable assistance as we help you with every step of your personal injury matter.
Find out more about our law firm and how we can help by contacting us today!