Personal Injury Lawyer
Traveling with your pet can be an enjoyable and fun experience. However, if you’re not careful, it can also be dangerous. In order to ensure your pet’s safety, it’s important to plan ahead and take the necessary precautions when traveling with your pet; car accidents can happen at any time, and it’s important to protect your furry friends while driving too. Here are some tips from a car accident lawyer with our friends at David & Philpot, P.L. that will help you and your pet enjoy a safe and pleasant journey.
Invest in a Good Quality Pet Carrier
Not only will this keep your pet comfortable and safe, but it can also help protect them in case of a car accident. A well-made carrier should be made of strong materials that won’t easily break or tear in an impact. Look for carriers that have extra padding and harnesses to secure your pet. It’s also important to make sure the carrier fits your pet properly. Make sure the size of the carrier is appropriate for your pet’s size and weight, so they don’t have too much extra space to move around and potentially be injured if the car suddenly stops or turns sharply.
Make Sure Your Pet Is Properly Restrained
The most common way to restrain your pet is with a harness or seat belt attachment. The harness should fit snugly around your pet’s chest and fasten securely to your car’s seat belt system. This will keep your pet from being thrown around in the car if there is an accident. It also prevents them from interfering with the driver in case of a sudden stop. Another option is a crate. If your pet is comfortable with crates, this can be an effective way to keep them secure while traveling. Make sure that the crate is large enough for your pet to move around in and is secured to the car so that it doesn’t move during the journey.
Do Not Leave Your Pet Unattended in the Car
Leaving your pet unattended in the car is a dangerous decision and should be avoided at all costs. Even if you think it is only for a few minutes, you are taking a major risk. Your pet could suffer from heat stroke or become distressed if left in the car for too long. When stressed, and without supervision, your pet can damage the inside of your car which can potentially lead to a car accident; if you’re driving and your dog (for example) has chewed off a piece of your car, it could potentially move forward and get wedged under the gas pedal. Plus, in most states it’s illegal to leave your pet unattended in extreme temperatures.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, here are some tips for keeping your pet safe and secure:
- Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes your pet’s medical records, any medications they may need, food, and water.
- Make sure you have your pet’s leash or carrier on hand in case you need to move them away from the accident scene.
- Have the contact information of your veterinarian and local emergency animal hospitals easily accessible.
- Consider purchasing a pet safety device that can detect when your car is involved in a crash, so you can alert emergency services of your pet’s presence in the vehicle.
If you and your pet get into an accident, contact a car accident lawyer near you for help immediately to get the compensation you (and your furry friend!) deserve after suffering through the stress of an accident.