Do you have pet injury coverage, pet insurance, or can you file a diminished value claim? There are a lot of moving pieces and options, which makes it crucial to keep reading and talk with an attorney.
Many people, myself included, drive with our pets in the car. While cats often travel in crates, dogs can be more difficult to secure and are often loose in vehicles. And just like people, dogs can be injured in car accidents. Unsecured animals can fly through vehicles and be injured from crashing into objects. It’s important to consider pet injury coverage when assessing potential risks.
There are important steps to take if your pet is involved in a car accident with you.
- Document any injuries to your pet at the scene. Photos of your pet’s condition can be important to help your vet assess your pet’s injuries, and for showing the at-fault insurance company how your pet was injured.
- Get your pet checked out with their veterinary clinic. If your pet is showing signs of distress and needs to be seen right away, get them checked out at an emergency clinic.
- Ensure your pet gets recommended treatment and that their bills are covered by the at-fault party’s insurance.
Even if your pet seems okay after a car accident, be sure to monitor their condition over the next several days to ensure they are drinking water, eating, and not showing any signs of pain or soreness.
If you caused the collision, unfortunately your insurance will not typically pay for your pet’s medical bills related to the crash. However, your medical treatment for injuries from the collision can still be covered under Personal Injury Protection coverage, which is a no-fault benefit. Read “Words of Advice” about insurance claims.
Getting Reimbursed for your Pet’s Injuries
In an age when everything is getting more expensive, veterinary bills are no exception. The law treats injuries to pets as property damage claims. This means that coverage for the veterinary bills related to the collision should be sent to either your insurance or the at-fault party’s insurance for reimbursement, similar to how they would reimburse you for damage to your car.
In the cases of injured working animals and/or livestock, you may be able to be reimbursed for damage for their loss of resale value. For example, our firm recently resolved a case for an explosives detection canine who was injured and unable to work following the crash for $117,000. For these more complex cases, we recommend reaching out to an attorney with experience in this area. Give us a call (206) 682-0300 or complete this form.
Read the amazing story about Envy, our canine client who received a $117,000 settlement for injuries sustained in a car accident.
