What You Need to Know About Getting Compensation for Your Dog's Injuries After a Motor Vehicle Crash
If your dog is injured in a car accident, you may be wondering if you can get compensation for its injuries and suffering. Before contacting a lawyer, there are a few things you need to know. Review these facts to learn more about the potential for getting compensation for pet injuries caused by car accidents:
1. Some car insurance policies cover injuries to dogs.
In some cases, your own insurance may cover the cost of the injuries incurred to your dog. Contact your insurer to see if your comprehensive coverage includes veterinary bills related to car accidents. If not, the at-fault driver's liability insurance may cover injuries to your dog.
2. No-fault coverage may help with some cases.
If your insurance policy does not cover damages to animals and if there is no at-fault driver, no-fault injury compensation may prove useful. Recently, a woman from Victoria was awarded over $140,000 after her dogs accidentally ran her over. Whether your dog's actions caused the injuries or there was another culprit, no-fault compensation can sometimes help cover expenses related to a range of incidents.
3. A motor vehicle accident attorney can help prove liability.
If no-fault compensation is not available for your case, a motor vehicle accident attorney may be able to help prove liability. These professionals are experts at assessing accidents and finding negligence. For example, if the other driver failed to follow the rules of the road, if they were driving while distracted or if they made any other mistakes, a lawyer can argue that their negligence hurt your dog, and a lawyer can help convince the courts that the other driver is responsible for your pet's medical bills, any time you lost at work to care for your pet, and related costs.
4. You must be prepared to argue against shared negligence claims.
If you take another driver to court to get compensation for your pet's injuries, that individual's lawyer is likely to argue that you were also negligent. In a case involving pet injuries, shared negligence may involve an argument that the pet was not restrained and thus more likely to get hurt anyway. A skilled motor vehicle accident lawyer prepares for these retorts and knows how to minimise the potential damage they could cause to your case.
If you are wondering if you have a solid case, contact a motor vehicle accident lawyer at a firm like CLP Legal to talk today.