If a dog bit you, the rules in Texas are different from other states. As personal injury lawyers in the Valley, we explain when the owner is liable and how to file a claim.
st bite: Texas uses the so-called "one-bite rule," which completely changes how the owner's liability is proven, unlike states with strict liability.
Local context: Across the Rio Grande Valley, CLF handles cases in McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Edinburg, Brownsville, and the other cities of Hidalgo and Cameron counties, with a team that speaks your language.
The first thing you should know
In Texas, a dog owner is not automatically liable for a bite. Under the "one-bite rule," you must show the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. It sounds hard, but there are many ways to prove it, and other avenues for a claim too.
The "one-bite rule" in Texas
Many believe that in the U.S. the owner always pays for a bite. In Texas, that is not the case. The law uses the "one-bite rule": generally, the owner is liable if they knew their dog had dangerous tendencies, for example, if it had bitten or shown aggression before.
This is different from "strict liability" states, where the owner pays regardless of what they knew. That is why a Texas bite case requires proving more, and why it helps to have someone who knows how to do it.
How to prove the owner knew
Though it may seem hard, there are many ways to show the owner knew of the danger:
Prior bites or attacks by the same dog.
Neighbor complaints or animal-control reports.
"Dangerous dog" signs on the property.
The dog kept muzzled or chained due to aggression.
Testimony from people who knew the dog.
Other ways to claim
Even if you cannot prove the owner knew, sometimes there are other avenues: negligence (for example, leaving a gate open or violating a local leash ordinance) can support a separate claim.
Also, many bites are covered by the owner's homeowner's insurance, which can be a source of compensation. We evaluate all options in your case.
What to do after a dog bite
What you do afterward protects your health and your case:
Seek medical care immediately (infection/rabies risk).
Report the bite to animal control.
Get the owner's and dog's information.
Take photos of the wounds and the location.
Keep witness names.
How Carreras Law Firm helps
We investigate the dog's and owner's history, identify what insurance may cover your injuries, and build the case under Texas's specific rules. We handle your case in Spanish.
We charge nothing unless we win. The consultation is free and with no obligation.
Keep everything from day one
In a bite case, proving the owner knew of the danger depends on evidence that can be lost. Reporting to animal control creates an official record that helps a lot.
