The “One Bite” Rule

In Collin County dog bite cases, the guideline known as the “one bite” rule may apply. Under the “one bite” rule, the victim has the burden of proof. This means the injured individual must prove that the dog’s owner is liable for damages in court. Specifically, for the injured individual to recover damages, they must be able to prove the dog owner either:

  • Was aware that their dog had bitten someone in the past or acted aggressively toward someone on one or more previous occasions
  • Did not use reasonable care in restraining or controlling their dog – or in taking steps to prevent the bite – and consequently the bite occurred

A lack of reasonable care may include failing to walk the dog on a leash or failing to erect a fence around the yard to prevent the dog from escaping. A dog bite attorney in Collin County could help you provide evidence to support the “one bite” rule.

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The Strict Liability Law in Collin County

In many cases, the “one bite” rule applies. However, in other cases, the courts may apply strict liability. Strict liability applies in cases where the dog has a reputation for being dangerous, vicious, or mischievous and the bite resulted from this known propensity. Even in cases where the dog bit someone before but did not cause them serious harm, the dog may still fall into the dangerous category.

If the injured individual suffered injuries due to a dangerous animal, it is not necessary to demonstrate negligence on the part of the dog owner. Rather, they only need to show that the dog has a reputation for being dangerous. An experienced attorney from Collin County could determine whether strict liability rules apply.

What Happens if the Animal Owner Violated the Law?

In addition to civil penalties, offending dog owners may also be subject to criminal penalties if they violate any animal control laws. If this is the case, they may be considered negligent per se. When this is the case, the plaintiff simply must show:

  • The owner broke the law
  • This violation of the law caused the person’s injuries

To understand how negligence per se may affect a claim, speak with a Collin County dog bite lawyer.

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Talk to a Collin County Dog Bite Attorney

If a vicious animal has bitten you and caused you to sustain serious injuries, lacerations, or wounds, you should call an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A Collin County dog bite lawyer could follow the necessary procedural steps to help your chances of recovering compensation and could take all the necessary legal actions on your behalf. Call today to speak to one of our attorneys.

Collin County Case Types

Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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