The Crash Team is proud to serve Texas with experienced legal representation for victims of dog bites and animal attacks. A dog attack can happen unexpectedly and leave victims with painful physical injuries, emotional trauma, expensive medical bills, and long-term complications. When negligent owners fail to control their animals, injured victims deserve strong legal advocacy from an experienced Texas dog bite lawyer at a trusted law firm.
That’s where we step in. As “Top Accident Attorneys with a Proven Track Record,” Aaron Galvan and Breanne Galvan lead a client-focused law firm dedicated to protecting injured Texans. We combine aggressive representation with compassionate support while pursuing meaningful compensation for victims and families across the state.
Have you been injured by a dangerous dog or another animal attack in Texas? Contact a Texas dog bite lawyer at The Crash Team today. Call us at 713-300-0000 or reach out online for a free consultation.
What Our Texas Dog Bite Lawyers Can Do for You
After a dog attack, victims are often overwhelmed by medical treatment, insurance paperwork, and uncertainty about their legal rights. Our attorneys handle the legal process while you focus on recovery.
- We investigate the dog attack: We can gather animal control records, witness statements, medical evidence, and prior incident reports to strengthen your claim and establish liability.
- We handle insurance company negotiations: We can communicate directly with homeowners’ insurers and opposing parties to protect you from unfair settlement tactics and low offers.
- We calculate the full value of your damages: We can assess medical costs, lost income, emotional trauma, scarring, and future treatment needs when pursuing compensation.
- We coordinate evidence and expert support: We can work with medical professionals and specialists to document the physical and psychological impact of your injuries.
- We prepare your case for litigation when needed: If negotiations fail, we can file lawsuits and aggressively represent your interests throughout the Texas legal process.
- We provide responsive client support for you: We can offer same-day callbacks, bilingual communication, regular updates, and 24/7 availability during every stage of your case.
Texas Dog Bite Laws
Texas dog bite claims often involve several overlapping legal concepts. Understanding how these laws work can help victims better understand their rights. Here are some of the key Texas laws and rules that we must take into account in almost every case, laws and rules that you should also be aware of.
Texas’s One-Bite Rule
Texas follows a version of the “one-bite rule,” established through court decisions such as Marshall v. Ranne. In many cases, injured victims must show the dog owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog had dangerous tendencies. Prior aggressive behavior, complaints, or previous bites may help establish liability.
However, owners can still be liable under negligence principles even without a prior bite if they failed to exercise reasonable care.
Criminal Liability Under Lillian’s Law
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 contains “Lillian’s Law,” which allows criminal charges against owners whose dangerous dogs seriously injure or kill someone. In severe cases, owners may face felony charges when reckless conduct contributes to fatal or catastrophic attacks.
Criminal proceedings are separate from civil injury claims, but evidence from those investigations may support your case.
Texas’s Leash Mandate
Texas does not impose a universal statewide leash law, but many cities and counties enforce local leash ordinances. Violating local leash requirements can strengthen negligence claims after an attack.
For example, an unleashed dog running loose in a Sugar Land neighborhood or Houston apartment complex may create clear evidence of owner negligence.
Dog Bites and Premises Liability in Texas
Some dog bite cases also involve premises liability principles. Property owners, landlords, or businesses may share responsibility if they knowingly allowed dangerous animals on the property or ignored repeated complaints.
Apartment complexes, gated communities, and rental properties sometimes become involved in these claims when management failed to address known dangers.
What to Do After a Dog Bite or Animal Attack Injury in Texas
The steps you take after a dog attack can directly affect your health and your legal claim. Immediate medical attention should always come first. Dog bites carry serious risks of infection, nerve damage, exposure to rabies and other diseases, and permanent scarring.
After receiving medical care, you should try to:
- Report the incident to animal control
- Obtain the dog owner’s information
- Photograph injuries and the scene
- Preserve torn or bloodied clothing
- Gather witness contact information
- Avoid discussing fault with insurers
Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Waiting too long to act can make evidence harder to obtain and may jeopardize your case entirely.
Our attorneys often begin investigations immediately after clients contact us, helping preserve records before they disappear.
Common Injuries After Dog Bites
Dog attacks can cause severe physical and emotional harm that lasts for years. In many cases, victims require surgeries, reconstructive treatment, counseling, or long-term rehabilitation.
Common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds: Deep tissue injuries can increase the risk of infection, nerve damage, and lasting complications after a violent animal attack.
- Facial injuries: Children frequently suffer facial trauma that may require reconstructive surgery and lead to permanent scarring or emotional distress.
- Nerve damage: Serious bites may damage nerves in the hands, arms, legs, or face, causing numbness, weakness, or chronic pain.
- Broken bones: Powerful dog attacks can knock victims down, causing fractures, especially among elderly individuals or young children.
- Infections: Untreated dog bites may lead to serious bacterial infections, including cellulitis, sepsis, or dangerous complications requiring hospitalization.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Falls caused by animal attacks sometimes result in concussions or more severe head injuries requiring extensive medical care.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and fear of animals frequently affect victims long after physical wounds begin healing.
Compensation for Texas Dog Bite Victims or Victims of Other Animal Attacks
A dog attack can create substantial financial and emotional burdens for victims and their families. Compensation in these cases may include both economic and non-economic damages.
Victims may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical care related to the attack injuries.
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering from injuries or attending medical appointments after the animal attack.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life caused by the incident.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Permanent scars, especially facial injuries, may significantly affect confidence, emotional well-being, and daily life.
- Psychological counseling: Therapy costs associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, or trauma resulting from the attack.
- Wrongful death damages: Families may pursue compensation when fatal dog attacks result from negligent or reckless animal ownership.
What Is the Average Dog Bite Settlement in Texas?
Dog bite settlements in Texas vary significantly depending on injury severity and liability evidence. Many cases settle between $30,000 and $300,000, while catastrophic injury claims involving permanent scarring, disability, or wrongful death may result in substantially higher recoveries.
Several factors can affect settlement value, including:
- Severity of injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Medical expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Insurance coverage limits
- Evidence of prior aggression
- Comparative fault arguments
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize these claims, especially when victims delay treatment or lack documentation. Strong evidence and experienced legal representation can substantially affect outcomes.
Contact a Texas Dog Bite Lawyer at The Crash Team Today
A dog bite or animal attack can leave you facing painful injuries, emotional trauma, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. At The Crash Team, attorneys Aaron Galvan and Breanne Galvan are committed to helping injured Texans pursue accountability and financial compensation after preventable animal attacks. Our law firm is based in Sugar Land, but we proudly represent clients across Texas with aggressive advocacy and compassionate guidance.
We are available 24/7, we offer bilingual support, and we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Have questions about your dog bite claim, or wondering what steps to take next after an animal attack? Contact The Crash Team today for a free consultation with an experienced Texas dog bite lawyer. Call us now at 713-300-0000 to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was bitten by a dog at a friend’s house. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Many dog bite claims are handled through homeowners’ insurance policies rather than directly against the dog owner personally. We understand these situations can feel uncomfortable, but you still deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain caused by the attack.
What if the dog never bit anyone before attacking me?
You may still have a valid claim. Texas law allows victims to pursue negligence claims even without prior bite history in some situations. Helpful evidence may include:
- Leash law violations
- Failure to restrain the animal
- Prior aggressive behavior
- Unsafe property conditions
Our attorneys can investigate whether the owner acted negligently before the attack occurred.
Can I recover compensation for emotional trauma after a dog attack?
Yes. Dog attacks often leave lasting emotional effects, especially for children and victims with permanent injuries or scarring. Compensation may include damages related to PTSD, anxiety, fear of dogs, counseling expenses, and emotional suffering connected to the attack.
What should I do if the insurance company contacts me after the attack?
You should avoid giving recorded statements or accepting settlement offers before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters often try to reduce payouts quickly. We can help protect your claim by handling communications for you and ensuring your injuries are properly documented.
