Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
Many if not most dog owners enjoy taking their pets out for a weekend car ride, but car accidents can be especially dangerous or deadly for unsecured dogs. If you have recently lost your beloved pet because of a car accident, or if you find yourself paying off extensive veterinary bills, you may be wondering about your legal options to seek compensation. Although pet-related cases are often less clear-cut than their human equivalents, you may still be able to receive justice with the help of a good car accident attorney.
Knowing When You Have a Case
In most cases, you can only seek damages for a car accident if the other driver is found to be at fault. Without that liability, you are unlikely to recover your losses. You must also be able to show that you have suffered significant damages as a result of the negligence of the other driver. If you aren't sure whether or not your case has merit, it can't hurt to call a local car accident attorney for an expert's opinion.
Placing a Value on Your Pet
When your dog is killed in a tragic accident, you may wonder how to even begin quantifying the loss. As unpalatable as it may be for pet owners, your dog is considered property under the law and will be evaluated as such for the purpose of deciding damages. You will need to work with your attorney to come up with a reasonable value for your particular dog. This may be influenced by breed, pedigree or value as breeding stock, with a standard family mixed-breed typically only considered worth a few hundred dollars.
Covering Your Veterinary Bills
On the other hand, your dog may have survived the accident but need veterinary attention afterward. Veterinary bills can add up quickly just like human medical ones, and this type of damage is easier to measure and add up. You will likely need testimony from your veterinarian stating that your dog's injuries were caused by the accident and verifying their cost.
Seeking Compensation for Emotional Distress
If these forms of compensation are not adequate to address the stress and sorrow you experienced because of the damage to your pet, you may also be eligible to sue for emotional distress. This can be more difficult to demonstrate, but if your dog requires years of therapy or suffers a serious injury, it may be possible to come up with a suitable figure. Talk to your attorney about the best path forward for your particular case, and with some diligence and strong legal representation, you should soon be given some closure after your and your pet's suffering.
For more information, contact True Guarnieri Ayer LLP or a similar firm.
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