What Happens If You Run Over a Dog: All parties concerned are unfortunate when a dog gets hit by an automobile. In addition to potential legal issues, you could have to deal with car damage and possible serious injury to the dog. It may be easier for you to stay composed and act appropriately if you know what to do in San Antonio if you struck a dog with your automobile. Protecting your legal rights and assisting the dog should be your main priorities.
What Happens If You Run Over a Dog
1. What to Do After the Accident
Stop your car and move to the side of the road as soon as you notice you struck a dog. When it’s safe to do so, exit your car and head back to the dog. If you strike a dog, you are legally required to stop and help it.
It is terrible to drive away from the injured dog and it may even get you in legal trouble. It’s illegal to leave an animal unreasonably unattended in Texas. The act of striking a dog and then fleeing the scene may qualify as this offense and carry penalties for animal cruelty. (What Happens If You Run Over a Dog)
To save other cars from hitting the wounded dog, relocate it off the road if necessary.
Read more: I Hit a Dog With My Car: What Am I Legally Required to Do?
Hiring specialists is the best course of action for providing assistance to a dog injured in a vehicle accident in San Antonio. For information on the accident, contact the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services at (210) 207-4738 or the police at (911). To help the dog, they will dispatch someone to the spot.
The animal’s life could be saved if you arrive at the spot and make the call. If the dog has no collar, a doctor might possibly check for a microchip in it.
If the owner is there, describe the situation without assigning blame to the pet owner, trade names, and contact details.
2. Who Pays for Your Car’s Repairs?
Make an inquiry regarding coverage with your auto insurance provider if striking the dog caused damage to your automobile. It should be covered by collision or comprehensive insurance for property damage.
Submit a damage claim to your insurance company to get paid for the repairs. Since the insurance company would often subrogate the claim by suing against the pet owner, finding the owner might help you get this money. (What Happens If You Run Over a Dog)
3. Who Pays for the Veterinary Costs?
In most cases, the person who brings the dog to the vet will be responsible for paying the bills. This is why it is important to call the police or animal control. If you do take the dog to the vet and do not know the identity of the owner, speak to the office about the situation. The vet may have a standard procedure for this type of situation.
If the owner is present, he or she will pay the veterinary costs. Unless it was an unusual situation in which you negligently or intentionally struck the dog, the pet owner will be responsible for veterinary care for allowing the dog to run into the road.
Read more: Does car insurance cover hitting a dog?
4. What happens if the dog dies?
In most cases, if the dog was running loose, the owner would be found negligent, which means you’re not responsible for the accident, even if the dog dies. While you may feel awful, you wouldn’t be responsible for any costs related to the dog’s end-of-life treatment or burial fees, legally or financially.(What Happens If You Run Over a Dog)
If you’re found to be responsible for the accident due to driving under the influence or intentionally swerving to hit the dog, you could be responsible for compensation to the owners. Intentional damage is often excluded from coverage by insurers as well, so if you intentionally injure a pet, you’ll most likely have to cover any vet bills, end-of-life care, or burial costs yourself.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of a heartbreaking event like hitting a dog with your car, remaining calm and taking responsible steps is crucial. Remember, your first priority is ensuring the safety of yourself and others involved. Once the immediate danger has passed, check on the dog and assess the situation.
If the dog is injured, do not attempt to move it as this could worsen its injuries. Call animal control or a nearby veterinarian immediately. If the dog is deceased, contact animal control for proper disposal.
Take responsibility by reporting the incident to the authorities, if required, and remember to document the scene with photos or videos, if possible. This will help with insurance claims and any potential legal issues.
Most importantly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally distressed, reach out to a friend, family member, or crisis hotline for support. Dealing with such an event can be emotionally taxing, and seeking help is crucial to navigating this difficult situation.
Read more: Help Your Dog How Not to Get Scared From Insects and Flies
FAQ
What should I do immediately after hitting a dog with my car?
Stop your car: Pull over to a safe location, away from traffic.
Check for injuries: Approach the dog with caution, as an injured animal may be scared and lash out. If safe to do so, check for signs of injury on both yourself and the dog.
Call for assistance: If the dog is injured, call animal control or a nearby veterinarian immediately. If the dog is deceased, you can still contact animal control for proper disposal.
What legal steps should I take?
Report the incident: Depending on your location, you might be legally required to report the accident to the police. Even if not mandated, reporting the incident demonstrates responsible ownership.
Contact your insurance company: Inform them of the accident, especially if there is damage to your vehicle.
What should I do if the dog has an ID tag?
Contact the owner: If the dog has an ID tag with contact information, try to reach the owner and inform them of the situation.
What if the dog doesn’t have an ID tag?
Look for the owner: Ask people in the vicinity if they recognize the dog.
Call animal control: They can scan the dog for a microchip and take them to a shelter for safekeeping.
What else should I keep in mind?
Document the scene: If possible, take photos or videos of the scene, including the dog’s location and any injuries. This can be helpful for insurance claims or if necessary, legal purposes.
Seek emotional support: Dealing with such an event can be emotionally challenging. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, family member, or a crisis hotline for support.
