What Happens When My Pet Is Involved In A Car Accident In Florida?
Corbin Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Bringing pets when traveling can make the trip more enjoyable. But when you bring your pets with you on the road, be aware that they are also in danger if a car accident happens. The number of auto accidents in Florida is high. No matter the reason behind it, do you know the risks of bringing pets with you on the road?What Happens If My Pet Caused The Car Accident?
Drivers who take their pets with them on a trip can easily be distracted by them too, especially when pets are fussy and move a lot. Pets can climb on the wheel, scratch, bite, and do something that can make their owner lose control of the vehicle. In Florida, pet owners will always be responsible for their pets.
Whether or not the pet owner is inside the vehicle, when their pet did something that caused harm to others, they can be confronted with a personal injury lawsuit. Your pets can also be used as evidence against you by the other party in the accident even if they are not the ones who caused it. Regardless of what situation you and your pets land on, calling a personal injury lawyer can help you prove your innocence and fight for compensation.
Who Will Cover For My Pet’s Treatment?
Some may feel confident about bringing their pets with them to trips thinking that their insurance will also cover their pets’ treatment if misfortune strikes. However, many insurance plans actually do not include your pets even if they are considered as your property. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is dedicated to your medical bills whole other insurance plans like Collision and Comprehensive Car Insurance are also limited to situations like theft and damages to your vehicle.
This is applicable too when the other at-fault driver is charged with a personal injury that entitles you to compensation for damages. These damages do not include your house pets. The same goes for the at-fault driver’s insurance providers.
Can I Include My Pet In My Insurance?
Including pets in your insurance coverage will depend on your insurance provider. Some may allow it but be ready because it might cost you more than you think it would. Animal hospitalization fees and medication are just as expensive as a person’s bills and you might be paying the equivalent of an extra family member when you try to add your pet to your insurance plan.
How Do I Keep My Pet Safe After A Car Accident?
While your insurance providers can only accommodate you and some family members, this does not mean that there are no insurance plans meant to protect pets. There are companies that offer pet insurance, which is different from your PIP and can actually cover more than just injuries from a car accident.
The best way to make sure your pets will be treated and taken care of after a car accident is to get pet insurance. Likewise, getting them trained and teaching them to behave properly can help you prevent them from causing a car accident.
Bringing pets with you in your vehicle has many risks when an accident happens. You have to think about them carefully and have a backup plan, like a trustworthy car accident lawyer who can help you with the case.