Can I Recover Compensation For My Pet Being Injured In An Auto Accident?
The answer to that question is: maybe. The at-fault party and their insurance in a collision are responsible for the damages. If you are in an auto accident and your pet suffers injuries you should file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance. In the state of Texas, pets are technically considered personal property and as such you have a right to recover if you are found to not be the at-fault party for the accident. During the process of claiming property damage, you would include not just the damages for your car, but also all the associated medical costs for getting your pet treated for the injuries that occurred in the auto accident. The minimum coverage in Texas for property damage insurance is $25,000.00.
I Caused The Accident Can I Still Recover My Vet Bills?
If you are found as the at-fault party for the auto accident, you may not be able to recover compensation for the medical care of your pet. It depends on if you have collision or comprehensive insurance coverage. Both of these types of insurance coverage are optional in Texas and will pay for property damage and medical bills after an auto accident. With these types of insurance, it does not matter who is at fault. If you do have this type of insurance coverage then your insurance should cover the medical bills for treatment of your pet up to the policy limit.
My Pet Died Due To The Accident Can I Recover Compensation?
Unfortunately, the answer is only maybe. It depends on the insurance company. It is much more challenging for an insurance company to define what is an appropriate amount of monetary compensation for something that they consider intangible such as a pet’s death. Yes, to you it was not just an animal but a beloved companion or even a family member. As stated before pets are considered personal property and as such it is easier to come up with tangible damages such as the bills for medical treatment. You are able however to demand compensation for the emotional duress that was caused by your pet’s passing due to the accident. The insurance company of the at-fault driver may offer a sum to make up for the emotional duress. The award that is offered has many variables, the previous health of the pet, age, breed, the relationship you had with the pet, and if the pet was a show dog or a service animal those are all things that are taken into consideration.
To better understand how to proceed after an auto accident that involved your pet, you should contact a professional like a personal injury lawyer from the law firm Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. The help that is needed to understand your particular situation is just around the corner.