There were over 9,200 car accidents involving animals in Texas during one recent year, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). These collisions frequently cause catastrophic injuries and severe property damage, particularly when they involve livestock or larger wildlife. Collisions with animals also involve unique legal challenges, especially regarding who may be liable.
The attorneys at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. are here to explain everything you need to know about animal collisions in Texas.
What to Know About Animal-Related Car Accidents in Dallas
Whether you’re driving through the suburbs or more rural roads of Dallas, there are two main types of car accidents involving animals to be aware of:
- Domestic animals and household pets – People sometimes collide with dogs, cats, or other pets running loose. These accidents tend to happen in suburbs or other residential areas. While an animal might suffer severe injuries or die in one of these crashes, the injuries to people in cars and property damage may not be as severe. However, drivers and passengers sometimes sustain serious injuries if they swerve to avoid a pet and hit another car or a stationary obstacle.
- Wildlife and livestock – Unlike crashes with household pets, open-range livestock accidents or collisions with wild animals often cause severe injuries and can total a car. The primary reason injuries and property damage are more severe in these cases is the size of the animals involved. For example, a fully grown deer can weigh around 200 to 300 pounds. At the upper end, a horse or cow can weigh 1,000 pounds or more, which is roughly half the weight of a standard passenger car.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident Involving Animals
Your health and safety are the most important things after a car accident involving an animal, but you also want to guard your legal rights. Here’s what to do once you call 911 to report the crash and request emergency assistance:
- Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, the animal (if visible), and the surrounding scene.
- Avoid approaching the animal, especially if it’s still alive. It may be dangerous, even when injured.
- Move your vehicle to a safe location if it’s drivable and safe to do so.
- Exchange information with any other drivers involved.
- File a police report if required, especially for large animals like deer or livestock.
- Contact your insurance company to start a claim. However, avoid discussing the crash’s cause until you talk to a lawyer.
- Follow up with a doctor if emergency responders do not take you to a hospital.
- Contact a Dallas car accident lawyer who handles auto accidents involving animals.
Preventive Measures for Drivers
Given the severe injuries that often occur in motor vehicle crashes involving animals, it’s best to avoid them if possible. Here are a few tips for preventing animal collisions:
- Stay alert in rural or wooded areas, especially when animals are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Watch for wildlife crossing signs and reduce your speed in those zones.
- Use high beams at night when there’s no oncoming traffic to better spot animals ahead.
- Scan the sides of the road, not just straight ahead.
- Slow down if you see one animal – others may be nearby.
- Avoid swerving if an animal appears in your path, as you might lose control of your car.
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Liability for Car Accidents Involving Animals
The first step to pursuing compensation for animal collision injuries is determining fault. Identifying who is liable for motor vehicle collisions involving animals is a complicated topic, which is one key reason to hire a lawyer for your personal injury case. Liability will vary significantly depending on the type of animal and whether other vehicles were involved.
Pets
If you hit someone’s pet that was running loose, for example, the owner may be liable for your injuries. Texas does not have a statewide leash law. However, the Dallas City Code requires pet owners to keep their animals restrained at all times. Owners must keep their animal on a handheld leash or in a fenced-in area, pen, or similar structure. An owner who lets their pet run loose in Dallas may be negligent and has likely broken the law, making them liable for your injuries in a collision. While their auto insurance policy usually does not apply, their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy might. You can also sue the owner directly in these circumstances if they don’t have insurance coverage that applies.
Livestock
Texas is an open-range state, which means livestock can roam freely if there aren’t any local laws restricting their movements. However, Texas law prohibits livestock from entering state or federal highways. Additionally, many counties – including Dallas County – have implemented laws requiring livestock owners to fence in their animals. If a livestock animal causes a collision because it wandered onto a road in violation of federal or local laws, the negligent owner can be liable for the accident.
A Dallas livestock car accident lawyer can help determine which livestock laws apply in your situation and whether the owner may be liable. They can also help you support your livestock accident injury claim by gathering the evidence necessary to prove the owner was negligent and violated the law.
Wildlife
No one is liable for most accidents involving deer or other wildlife. These animals have no owners, meaning no laws or insurance policies apply to them. Comprehensive auto insurance usually covers wildlife accidents, so you can file a claim with your insurer after one of these collisions. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you will likely have to pay for your injuries, vehicle repairs, and other expenses out of pocket.
Other Vehicles
If another driver swerved to avoid hitting an animal but hit you instead, they could be held liable for your injuries if they’re found negligent. You may pursue a car accident claim with their auto insurance.
Talk to Our Dallas Car Accident Attorneys
The animal-related auto accident lawyers at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. have represented injury victims in Texas for over 50 years. During that time, we’ve recovered millions for our clients and earned a reputation as capable, aggressive advocates. Our clients consistently praise our work, such as in this recent testimonial:
“We had an accident and the attorneys at Kraft & Associates handled the case very attentively and with kindness until the end.” – Beatriz R.
You have limited time to take legal action after a car accident involving an animal, so acting quickly is vital. Call Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. today at (214) 999-9999 or complete our contact form for a free consultation.