Auto Accident Lawyer: Understanding Car Accidents in Florida involving Pets

We live in a time when having pets and treating them like family has never been so popular. In fact, there are claims that more money is spent on pets today than on children. Alongside this phenomenon is the desire to bring your pets with you everywhere you go. Unfortunately, that can become a problem if the pet is unrestrained in the vehicle and causes an accident in Florida. How many pets die in car accidents? Like kids, they can be very distracting, but unlike kids, they cannot be easily controlled if unrestrained. Pets escaping their yard can cause accidents as well, and sometimes these accidents are more damaging because motorists swerve to miss them and then end up colliding with another vehicle.

At Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, our auto accident attorney in Tampa will review and investigate your case in either situation: where it was your pet that allegedly caused the auto accident or if someone else or their pet caused the accident and harmed you and/or your pet. Contact us today at 813-320-7500 to schedule a Free and to learn more about your legal options. 

How Pets Can Cause Car Accident Claims in Florida

Unrestrained pets in a vehicle can interfere with a driver operating a car and cause accidents requiring an insurance claim. 

Some examples of this include where a pet:

  • Gets into the driver's footwell and steps on the accelerator or brakes
  • Jumps onto the driver and startles them
  • Climbs on the driver's lap
  • Cries to get their owner's attention

When a pet interferes with your driving, it can cause an accident where your car rolls over or collides with another car, cyclist, pedestrian, or object. How many pets die in car accidents? 

Pets may also escape their homes and run onto the road into oncoming traffic. When this happens, there's a risk they will be hit by a car or cause an accident when a driver tries to avoid hitting them. 

Common Injuries from Car Accidents Involving Pets in Florida 

If you're in a car accident involving your pet, the range of possible injuries is the same as in most other accidents caused by distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding, carelessness, weather, among other things. In accidents involving pets, you can sustain head trauma, whiplash, fractures, and bruising. Serious accidents caused by pets can also sometimes result in fatal injuries. 

In addition to any injuries you sustain, your pet can also be injured. Fractures, lacerations, and internal bleeding are common injuries in pets involved in motor vehicle accidents. Especially if they're unrestrained, pets can also be killed in car accidents.  

As well as these physical injuries, both you and your pet may suffer emotional trauma following an accident. 

If your pet is injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible, or ask someone else to take them if you're injured and need medical assistance. How many pets die in car accidents?

Liability for Car Accidents in Tampa that Involve Pets

Liability for car accidents involving pets is complex and depends on the circumstances of an individual case as well as the state where it happens. 

It is often mandatory for you to restrain your pet while in a car. So, if your pet causes an accident while unrestrained, you are typically liable. However, if your pet is injured as a result of the negligence of another driver, they may be liable instead. 

Owners of pets who escape and run onto the road causing an accident are often responsible for any damages to the other person's vehicle on the basis that they are required to keep their animal secured. Remember that though most of us view our pets as family members, laws in most states still treat pets as property, and as such, the owner is responsible for the damage caused by their property. 

Remedies in Florida for Car Accidents with Pets

Remedies for car accidents involving pets are usually sought through an insurer. 

Many collision insurance policies include coverage for pet injuries, as the law considers them the property of the owner. However, there can be limitations to this. For example, the insurance may only cover specific types of animals and only up to a certain amount. If you are a pet owner, you know that vet bills can quickly become exorbitant.

If the other driver's negligence caused the accident and you live in an at-fault state, you may be able to file a third-party claim with their liability insurance. 

Some car insurance policies require you to purchase additional pet coverage, so it's worth reading the terms closely to understand what it does and doesn't cover. 

If your car insurance doesn't cover your pets, you could consider taking out other protection, such as pet insurance. 

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa Today

At Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, our auto accident attorney in Tampa will guide you through the claims process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for any car accident caused by another person and/or their pet. Contact us today by filling out our online form or calling us at 813-320-7500 to schedule a Free.

The practice of keeping pets and caring for them as one would a member of one's family has never been more widespread than it is today. Some believe that people spend more money on their pets than their children today. Alongside this trend, there has been a rise in people's desire to take their pets with them wherever they go. Unfortunately, this could become a problem in Florida if the pet is not properly restrained while traveling in the vehicle and is involved in an accident. They can be very distracting like children, but unlike children, it will be difficult to keep control of them if they are not restrained. Accidents can also be caused by pets that get out of their yard, and sometimes these accidents are more damaging than others because drivers try to avoid the pets by swerving, and as a result, they end up colliding with another vehicle.

At Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, our auto accident attorney in Tampa will review and investigate your case in either scenario: where it was your pet that is alleged to have caused the auto accident, or if someone else or their pet caused the accident and harmed you and/or your pet. In either scenario, we are here to help. Call us today. Call us at 813-320-7500 right now to schedule a free consultation and find out more about your legal options.

What Role Do Pets Play in Florida's Potential for Accident Claims and How many pets die in car accidents?

Pets allowed to roam freely inside a vehicle can be a distraction for the driver and lead to accidents requiring an insurance claim to be filed.

Several instances of this include the following involving a pet:

  • The person then places their feet in the driver's footwell and either presses the brakes or the accelerator.
  • Suddenly leaps onto the driver and jolts them awake.
  • Climbs up onto the lap of the driver.
  • Cries out to get the attention of their owner.

When a pet gets in the way of a driver's ability to operate a vehicle, it can lead to an accident in which the vehicle rolls over or collides with another vehicle, cyclist, pedestrian, or object.

It's also possible for people's pets to get loose and run out into the street, where they could be hit by oncoming vehicles. When this occurs, there is a possibility that they will be struck by a car or bring about an accident due to a driver's attempt to avoid hitting them.

Injuries Sustained by Pets in Florida Automobile Crashes That Are Typically Seen

If you are involved in a car accident with your pet, the range of possible injuries is the same as it is in the majority of other accidents, including those caused by distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, speeding, carelessness, and other factors, such as the weather. In the event of an accident involving a pet, you run the risk of suffering a concussion, whiplash, fractures, and bruising. Accidents of a grave nature brought on by pets can occasionally result in the victim's death.

Your companion animal is at risk of harm and any injuries you might sustain yourself. Injuries such as fractures, lacerations, and internal bleeding are typical outcomes for pets that are involved in collisions with motor vehicles. Vehicular accidents can also be fatal for pets, notably if they are not properly restrained.

In addition to these physical wounds, you and your pet may also experience psychological damage due to the accident.

If a motor vehicle accident causes injuries to your pet, you need to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you are hurt and require medical attention, you should ask another person to take your pet to the veterinarian.

Responsibility in the Event of a Car Accident in Tampa Involving a Pet

It is difficult to determine who is at fault in a car accident involving a pet because liability is contingent not only on the particulars of the incident but also on the laws of the state where it took place.

When traveling in a vehicle, you must frequently secure your animal companion. Therefore, you will typically be responsible for any damages caused by an accident your pet causes if it is not properly restrained. On the other hand, if another driver was negligent and caused injuries to your pet, the other driver could be held liable instead of you.

As pet owners are required to keep their animals contained at all times, if their animal gets loose and causes an accident because it ran onto the road, the pet owner is typically held liable for any damages caused to the other driver's vehicle. It is essential to keep in mind that even though the majority of us consider our pets to be members of our families, the laws in the majority of states still consider pets to be property, and as such, the owner is responsible for any damage caused by their pet's property.

What to Do in the Event of a Car Accident in Florida When You Have a Pet

In the majority of cases, compensation for automobile accidents involving pets is sought through an insurer.

Due to the fact that the law considers pets to be the property of their owners, many collision insurance policies include coverage for injuries sustained by pets. This does not rule out the possibility of restrictions. For instance, the insurance policy might only cover particular breeds of animals, and its coverage might be capped at a specific dollar amount. If you are a pet owner, you are aware that the costs associated with veterinary care have the potential to skyrocket very quickly.

You may be able to file a third-party claim with the other driver's liability insurance if the other driver's negligence caused the accident and you live in a state that assigns fault for collisions.

It is important to carefully read the policy's terms and conditions to understand what it covers and does not cover, as some auto insurance policies require you to purchase additional coverage for your pet.

If your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy does not cover your pets, you may want to investigate other types of protection, such as pet insurance.

Get in Touch With a Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa Right This Minute

Our auto accident attorney in Tampa at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, will walk you through the claims process step-by-step to ensure that you receive the just compensation you are owed for any car accident caused by another person and/or that person's pet. Get in touch with us as soon as possible by calling us at 813-320-7500 or submitting the contact form on our website.

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