Keep Your Pets Safe While Driving
OMAHA, Nebraska. Whether it’s a trip to the vet, a trip to the park, or for vacation, if you’re driving with pets, it’s important to take precautions to keep both you and your pets safe. According to American Humane, a loose pet in your car is not only dangerous to the animal itself, but it is also a danger to you and to other drivers. A loose pet can be a distraction. Furthermore, your animal could try to hide under your brakes or gas pedal, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Before you hit the road with your cat or dog, consider the following safety tips:
- Get the right crate or restraint for your pet. According to PetMD, when pets are unrestrained in vehicles, they can suffer serious injuries, including broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma—just like humans. Companies sell canine restraints and “doggie seat belts” that allow you to harness your dog while riding in the car. Other companies sell specially designed car seats that attach to the car seat. After all, in the event of an accident, your cat or dog’s carrier could become a potentially deadly projectile.
- Don’t let pets sit in the front seat. This is not only dangerous for your pets, should the air bag deploy, this could also be potentially dangerous to you as a driver if your pet jumps onto your driver’s seat or under it.
- Make sure your pet is tagged and microchipped before travel. If your pet should escape the car or get lost, a proper tag and microchip is your best chance of being reunited with your animal.
- Don’t leave your pet unattended in a hot car. The temperature inside a vehicle during the summer can raise to dangerous levels very quickly.
- Bring water bowl, food, and supplies. If you’re going for a long drive, your cat or dog will need proper food and water. Don’t forget about bathroom breaks or litter for your cat.
If you are in a crash with your pet, it is also important to understand your rights. If your pet has to visit the vet due to another driver’s negligence or neglect, you may be able to seek damages from the negligent driver. If you suffer emotional distress due to your pet’s injuries, you may also be able to seek a recovery. Collecting damages for a pet may not be as straightforward as it may be for human injuries—where insurance companies and policies may offer some protections, but it is not impossible. If you or your pet have been injured in a crash in Omaha, Nebraska, consider speaking to the personal injury lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law. Our firm works with a wide range of traffic victims and we can fight to help you protect your loved ones—including your furry ones, should they be hurt in a crash due to no fault of your own. We’ll take the time to review your injuries and those of your pet after your crash and help you understand your options. Visit us at https://www.renschandrensch.com/ to learn more.
