Filing the Claim in the McKinney Dog Bite Case

Much information needed to be gathered before filing the claim in the McKinney dog bite case. This is why an attorney wants to learn as much as possible regarding the incident during the initial consultation. Also, a lawyer will want to review the facts of the case to determine liability and the damages the victim may be entitled to receive.

Timeline for Filing a Claim in McKinney

The time to file a case in McKinney for a dog bite is typically two years from the time the incident occurs. This timeline is referred to as the statute of limitations. It is important to strike a happy medium between having enough evidence to file a case and filing early, perhaps even getting a temporary restraining order immediately to preserve evidence that might otherwise disappear before the case is ready to be brought. In the McKinney case, that was not a factor, so there was time to do a background check on the dog, locating witnesses to prior incidents, and prepare the case while the client sought medical treatment. It is crucial to wait to file the suit until the full extent of the victim’s injuries were known.

Negotiating a Settlement Before Filing a Lawsuit

A lawyer must be careful not to file a case too soon, or negotiate a settlement before knowing the full extent of damages. There is an exception to that, and that is in cases in which the insurance coverage is limited and not enough to cover the extent of injuries already known. In such a case, it may be better to settle for the maximum available so the client can receive the compensation more quickly to help alleviate their problems. If the insurance coverage is more than enough to cover the injuries already known, it usually is best to wait to file the suit until the full extent of the client’s injuries are known. This also gives the lawyer time to gather the facts and get the medical records in an admissible form.