While it is legal to drive with your dog on your lap in Florida, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t. When a dog causes a driver to be distracted or obstructs their view, and an accident happens, the driver may be at fault.
If you or a loved one was hurt by a distracted driver, a Fort Lauderdale distracted driving accident lawyer can help.
Is It Legal to Drive With a Dog on Your Lap in Florida?
Yes, it is legal to have a dog on your lap while driving in Florida. However, it is discouraged.
Some potential reasons why you should avoid driving with a dog on your lap include:
- Distractions: Dogs may not always sit perfectly still. If your dog causes a distraction, you may cause an accident.
- Obstructed views: Depending on the size of your dog, it may obstruct your view from a window or mirror.
- Your dog’s safety: Airbags can be fatal to dogs when deployed. If you get into an accident while driving with your dog, they could be hurt or killed.
When a driver ends up causing an accident because of their pet, they will likely be liable for the injuries of anyone else involved.
How Is Negligence Proven in Accidents Where a Pet Is Involved?
While it may be legal to drive with your dog on your lap in Florida, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you were injured and believe a driver was distracted due to their dog, your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can investigate to determine who was at fault. To recover compensation, you must be able to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your losses.
How Is Negligence Legally Defined?
Negligence is defined by four key elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a responsibility to keep others safe. For example, a driver needs to obey traffic laws.
- Breach of duty of care: The at-fault party breached that duty through a careless or reckless action. For example, they were distracted by their dog and weren’t paying attention to the road.
- Causation: Their breach led directly to an accident. For example, when they looked away, they ran a red light and collided with your vehicle.
- Damages: The victim has suffered losses due to the breach. For example, you have medical bills as a result of your car accident injuries.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Driver Was Distracted or Otherwise Negligent?
During your Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer’s investigation, they will gather evidence that helps prove fault.
Some helpful evidence could include:
- Eyewitness statements, such as if a pedestrian saw the dog jump up in front of the driver
- Phone records, which could prove a driver was replying to a text while driving
- Video footage, such as from traffic cameras, dashcams, or a nearby business security camera
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks
- Expert testimony, such as from an accident reconstructionist
- Police reports
- The driver’s own admission, such as if they said “my dog was jumping all over me” as an explanation for the accident
What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Distracted Driving Accident?
If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver, you may be able to recover compensation for the full scope of your losses. Your lawyer can seek fair compensation that addresses the economic and non-economic impacts of the accident.
Economic Losses
You may be able to recover compensation for financial losses, such as:
- Property damage: For the repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings damaged in the crash
- Medical expenses: For both immediate and future expected costs related to your injury, like emergency medical care, doctor appointments, surgeries, short- and long-term hospitalizations, prescription medications, and physical therapy
- Job losses: Including lost wages, lost job benefits, and diminished earning capacity
- Other expenses: Including home or vehicle modifications, transportation costs for attending medical appointments, and mobility aids
Non-Economic Losses
You may also be able to recover compensation for losses that aren’t connected to a financial expense.
These can include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Disfiguration or scarring
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help With Your Case?
After an injury or the injury of a loved one, it’s important to focus on the recovery process. Trying to prove another driver was at fault, filling out complex insurance forms, and advocating for fair compensation can all seem insurmountable. That’s where a lawyer steps in.
Your lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident
- Consult with medical experts about the expected long-term impacts of your injuries, so they can have a clear picture of your losses
- File all necessary paperwork, ensuring it is accurate and filed within the statute of limitations deadline
- Handle all communication with insurance adjusters
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Represent your case in court if a fair settlement cannot otherwise be reached
Throughout the legal process, your lawyer will offer support and guidance to make you feel confident in your next steps.
Affording a Personal Injury Attorney
Many Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you only pay their fees if, and when, they recover compensation for you.
Call or text 800-431-9252 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Today
Is it legal to drive with your dog on your lap in Florida? Yes, but a driver distracted by their dog may still be at fault if they caused your injuries. Our legal team can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward after an accident.
At Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our focus is on helping injury victims and their families get the maximum compensation they are entitled to. Contact us today to get started on your case with a free consultation.
