What To Do If You’re Hit by a Car While Walking Your Dog?

The alarming rise in pedestrian and pet accidents involving vehicles is a serious concern. PBS News reports a staggering 340% increase in dog walkers visiting emergency rooms over the past two decades. This trend, fueled by the growing popularity of dog walking and the prevalence of distracted driving, poses significant risks to both pets and their owners.

Getting by a car while walking your dog can have devastating consequences. It’s crucial to be well-informed and prepared to navigate these situations. At Carpey Law, we’re committed to empowering you with the knowledge you need to safeguard your rights and well-being. Let us help you understand your options and protect yourself and your furry friend.

What Types of Accidents Happen When You Walk Your Dog?

Three of the most common accidents that involve walking your dog are:

• Hit-and-Run Incidents: Cars may not always stop after hitting a pedestrian or a dog. A hit-and-run car accident is defined as any time someone causes a car accident and then fails to stop to provide the other parties or authorities with their contact and insurance information or they simply flee the scene of a car accident. This is a very serious offense and the consequences are severe.
• Bicyclist or Scooter Collisions: Shared pathways between pedestrians, pets, and cyclists can be difficult to navigate and can lead to collisions. In these locales, it is very important to understand who has the right of way to help mitigate these unfortunate accidents.
• Dog Escaping into Traffic: A common scenario in dog-walking accidents involves dogs escaping their owner’s control. Owners of off-leash or uncontrolled dogs may be held liable for accidents caused by their pets. If a dog, not properly restrained, causes an accident, the owner could be found negligent and responsible for any resulting damages.

Immediate Steps To Take After Getting Hit by a Car While Walking Your Dog

Accidents that happen when you walk your dog can be extremely difficult to navigate. These frightening accidents can leave victims in shock and bewilderment. However, it is critical to follow several specific steps after a car or bike accident to protect both your physical and legal well-being.

• Stay Calm And Assess The Situation: Immediately following the accident, it’s imperative to stay calm and ensure the safety of you and your pet by moving to safety away from the roadway. Assessing injuries to yourself and your dog needs to be a priority. Remaining calm around your pet is crucial directly following such trauma, pursuing a fleeing vehicle or other reactive behaviors could put you or your pet at greater risk.
• Seek Medical Attention: A professional medical evaluation for you and your dog is essential as a result of vehicular trauma. In many cases, severe injuries may not manifest themselves immediately, especially with your pet. Seeking medical attention can provide very valuable documentation of the incident.
• Call For Law Enforcement: Calling for assistance from local law enforcement is invaluable in insurance claims and potential litigation. A police report serves as an essential piece of documentation of the incident that will include data collected from the scene.
• Gathering Evidence: While police reports will include critical evidence, it is very beneficial for you to gather as much evidence as well. Pictures of and from the scene that include tire marks, debris, and injuries along with information from witnesses and all parties involved can prove to be extremely beneficial in the event of future legal actions.
• Contact A Lawyer: Pedestrian and dog vehicular accidents can be traumatizing, especially a hit-and-run. Coupled with the legal complexity of these cases, an expert personal injury attorney is essential in ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Securing the services of a personal injury attorney will help you navigate a myriad of laws associated with your case and also help gather evidence, advocate, and negotiate on your behalf.

Who’s At Fault If Your Dog Runs Into The Street?

Determining fault when a dog causes an accident in the roadway is determined by negligence. If the dog is not properly secured by the owner, the owner can be responsible for the damages caused. Dog owners have a duty of care to properly control and secure the animal, failure to do so can be determined as negligence on their behalf. In some cases, the driver can also have a shared responsibility for the accident. In cases where the driver was found to be speeding or engaging in other reckless, unlawful operation of the vehicle, the responsibility for the incident may be shared. Engaging the services of a personal injury attorney helps you obtain a fair outcome of the case by ensuring a clear assessment of liability.

Dog Walking Safety Tips To Avoid Accidents

A proactive approach to dog walking is the best practice to avoid accidents and mishaps. Several tips for a safe walk include:

1. Use quality equipment and understand how to use it. Learn to control your dog effectively by using the proper harness and leash.
2. Be seen. Wear highly visible and reflective clothing on both you and your pet.
3. Plan your walk. Consider times and the geography of your route. Consider traffic, crosswalk locations, and lighting when embarking on your walk.
4. Stay focused. Eliminate the use of distractive electronics while you walk.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a dog walker hit by a car. However, accidents can still happen. If you or your pet are injured in a dog-walking accident, contact the experienced attorney Stuart Carpey. We can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.