Can I Sue For My Dog’s Injuries Caused in a Car Wreck?

Dogs, cats, and other pets are part of the family. They lift you up when you are feeling down, protect you and your family in ways that show the ultimate loyalty, bring happiness on a daily basis, and are always there for you at the end of a long work day. It comes as little surprise that a poll by Pet Food Industry shows that 95 percent of pet owners say their pet is part of the family, and half of all pet owners consider their pet a part of the family as much as another person in the family, according to NBC News. Dogs are much more than personal property, and Florida courts are finally beginning to understand that, and in some cases are valuing dogs and other pets more than their fair market price. If your dog was injured in a car wreck, or was hit while you were walking him or her on a leash, you may be entitled to compensation. Furthermore, if you were also injured, you need to speak to an experienced Villages personal injury attorney to discuss your case.

Suing For Emotional Distress

As a dog or pet owner, you know deep down that your pet’s “value” should not be limited to how much you paid for them. Yet, this is what many insurance companies try to argue, based on Florida laws, that treat pets as property. However, you may be able to sue for emotional distress caused by your pet’s injuries or death, especially if your dog was an emotional support animal. If your pet was a service animal, you will also be able to receive additional compensation above and beyond your pet’s fair market value. Suing for punitive damages can also be an option if the other party intentionally caused harm to you or your pet, such as running you off the road or throwing a beer bottle at you if you were on foot, for example. And, of course, you can be compensated for any past or future veterinary expenses related to the injury or death of your dog as well.

Your Other Damages if You Were Injured

While it is completely understandable that you want to be compensated for your dog’s injuries (or wrongful death), it is imperative that you seek compensation for your own injuries and other damages as well, even if you “only” suffered whiplash and you do not care about the damage to your car even remotely as much as you care about your dog’s injuries. This is because you are more likely to be fairly compensated for your own injuries than your dog’s. By maximizing your other damages, you can raise the total amount of compensation, and this can help make the injustice of your dog’s injuries, and lack of compensation for those injuries, somewhat more bearable. These damages include:

• Your medical expenses and future medical needs;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Lost wages and earning ability;
• Automobile and other property damage; and
• More.

A Villages Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You and Your Dog Today

If you and your pet were injured in a car wreck or while out for a walk, our Villages personal injury attorneys can help you file a claim for compensation and civil justice. To talk to an attorney today at the Glover Law Firm, call us at 352-484-0775 to schedule a free consultation.

Resources:

petfoodindustry.com/articles/5695-report—say-pets-are-part-of-the-family

nbcnews.com/id/31505216/ns/health-pet_health/t/poll-americans-consider-pets-part-family/#.XoJWXRNKiYU

https://www.gloverlawfirm.com/hit-by-a-car-while-riding-an-e-scooter-or-other-e-device/