• Home
  • About Us
    • Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C.
  • Practice Areas
    • Alcohol-Related Accidents
    • Auto Defects Product Liability
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Brain Injuries
    • Bus Accidents
    • Car Accidents
    • Child Injury
    • Construction Accident Cases
    • Industrial Accidents
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Personal Injury
    • Premises Liability
    • Truck Accidents
    • Serious Injuries
    • Wrongful Death
  • Testimonials
  • Attorney Referrals
  • Blog
Top Bar Menu
TwitterLinkedinFacebook
Español
Contact
Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C.Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C.
Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C.

Call Today 512-472-0404

  • Personal Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Personal Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
February 23, 2012UncategorizedBy Leonard Gabbay Law

Pets in cars: Not good for fido, Not good for you

There are many forms of distracted driving, including talking or texting on a cellphone while driving, eating, putting on makeup, changing the radio station, etc., and each one has the potential to cause a crash. One form of distracted driving that AAA has recently studied involves unrestrained pets in cars.

If a pet owner thinks letting Fido run loose in the car is harmless, according to AAA, he is wrong. To quote the study, “a 35 m.p.h. accident can turn a 60-pound pet into a 2,700-pound projectile.” And if Fido weighs more than 60 pounds, the situation can be even worse.

Dogs larger than 50 pounds and those smaller than 20 pounds are more likely to be brought along in the car for a ride. Regardless of where the dog is initially placed in the car, it is common for unrestrained dogs to jump into other areas of the vehicle if something outside captures its attention. This poses a distraction for the driver, particularly if the dog is jumping around, barking or climbs into the front seat with the driver.

Unrestrained cats also create distractions for drivers. Cars are not normally fans of moving vehicles, and will often attempt to hide while inside a car. Sometimes this hiding place may be near the driver’s legs or under the driver’s feet, preventing him or her from effectively applying the brakes or accelerator.

While pet owners may believe that holding pets in their lap as they drive is safe, animals who sit in their driver’s laps suffer severe and tragic fates, especially if the driver is in a wreck and the airbag deploys, crushing the animal and breaking its bones, and also possibly causing catastrophic injuries to the driver.

All pets should be in a pet safety belt, an animal car seat, a portable kennel or a cage while riding in a vehicle. In addition to protecting the pet, this prevents the driver from becoming distracted by a mobile animal and can prevent a crash caused by the distraction.

Drivers who cause a wreck because they are distracted by a pet inside their vehicle may still be found liable for damages from the crash, including medical expenses of the injured party, property damage, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

Source: “Pet Auto Safety: Safe Restraints for Pets Riding in Cars,” petside.com

About the author

Leonard Gabbay Law

Related posts
Leonard B. Gabbay helps settle a major case against Main Event Entertainment
November 7, 2017
Leonard B. Gabbay helps athlete win case against intoxicated driver
November 7, 2017
Accident – The Modern Day “A Word”
October 5, 2017
Texas truck accident results in fire on the road
January 10, 2015
How accidents between vehicles and pedestrians happen, and why
October 23, 2014
Gabbay talks to local media about distracted driving accidents
January 24, 2013
Recent Firm Blog Posts
  • Fatal Car Accidents are on the Rise in Austin

Categories
  • Articles (9)
  • Bicycle Accidents (7)
  • Brain Injuries (1)
  • Car Accidents (39)
  • Child Injury (1)
  • Distracted Drivers (6)
  • Drowsy Drivers (1)
  • Drunk Driving Accidents (4)
  • Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents (8)
  • Motorcycle Accidents (7)
  • Pedestrian Accidents (6)
  • Texting while Driving (5)
  • Traffic Safety (1)
  • Truck Accidents (9)
  • Uncategorized (9)
  • Wrongful Death (4)
Navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Personal Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Blog
  • Contact
Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C.
3001 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 220
Austin, TX 78704
Get Directions
Houston Office (By Appointment Only)
917 Franklin Street, Suite 300
Houston, TX 77002
Get Directions
Hours
Mon-Fri:  8:30 AM-5:30 PM
Sat-Sun:  Closed

Leonard B. Gabbay, P.C. serves clients in Austin, Texas, and surrounding communities.


austin seo
Connect With Us
Disclaimer: While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting, please call or complete the form.
Footer CSS
Privacy Policy | Sitemap

© Copyright 2019 | Leonard Gabbay Law