Around 67% of American families, according to a recent APPA national study, have at least one pet. It equates to almost 84.9 million households in the entire country. Most Americans consider their dogs to be members of their families.
However, when taking their animals along in a car, pet owners sometimes need to be more cautious than they are. People frequently leave their pets, such as a dog, to roam free in the backseat of a car. It puts animals at risk of suffering severe injuries in the event of an accident.
But even if you put your dog, cat, or other pet inside a cage or kennel in your car, it may still get injured in a crash.
So what happens if you and your pet get in a car accident? Do they have auto insurance to cover their injuries? Your pet’s veterinary care costs will be reimbursed as long as you’re not to blame for the incident and the at-fault motorist has liability insurance because a pet is considered personal property.
There are limitations on how much can be compensated, though. In this post, we will look at the laws regarding compensation for injuries to your pet in a car accident in Vegas and how you claim it as per Nevada law.
When Can You File a Claim If You Are Involved In a Car Accident in Vegas With Your Pet Inside?
Pet owners can file a lawsuit when someone harms or kills their pet in Nevada, as per Revised Statutes 41.740.
In Nevada or Las Vegas, if someone kills or injures another person’s pet, they are responsible for the following losses under NRS 41.740:
- The expense of medical care owing to a pet’s injury or death;
- Any decline in the pet’s market value brought on by a wound;
- The pet’s market value and acceptable funeral costs if it were killed; and
- Fair costs and attorney fees associated with initiating a claim against the guilty party.
However, each pet’s total damages cannot be more than $5,000. It renders it appropriate to file a small claims court lawsuit for these damages.
Furthermore, domesticated cats and dogs regularly kept in or close to their owners’ homes are the only pets that can be claimed for damages for injury or death under Nevada law.
If the other person in the accident hurts your ferret, rat, or any other pet besides a dog or a cat, you cannot sue them under NRS 41.740.
What Do You Need to File a Claim for Injuries to Your Pet in a Car Accident in Vegas?
It will be essential to substantiate the expenses you have suffered due to your pet’s injury, just like you would for a lawsuit involving a human’s bodily injury. Because of this, you must save the receipts for any payments you make for drugs, prosthetics, or other expenses related to treating your pet’s wounds.
It’s crucial to contact a knowledgeable and experienced accident lawyer as soon as possible if you or your pet has been hurt in a car crash. The Bourassa Law Group’s car accident attorneys can ensure that your rights are upheld and that you get the full and just compensation to which you are entitled. Call us at (800)870-8910 for a free consultation!
1-800-870-8910