Safely restraining a doggie passenger
Have you ever realised that travelling with an unsecured animal passenger could place you at increased risk of personal injury while jeopardising your chances of receiving car crash compensation?
Studies reveal that three-quarters of dog owners consider their animal to be as an important a member of the family as a partner or a child. No person would consider driving their car without appropriately restraining their child, yet remarkably few dog owners extend the same level of care to their canine loved ones.
The brutal truth is that if when travelling with an unrestrained dog you are forced to brake suddenly or are involved in a collision, you, your dog or both could very easily be killed. When stopping or under the forces of impact, an unrestrained dog can hurtle through a vehicle at up to twenty times its body weight and if it hits you or another passenger can very easily cause potentially fatal injury.
This is not the only risk inherent in travelling with an inadequately restrained dog. Even the most docile and reliable of animals can become agitated and erratic during a car journey, causing potentially lethal distraction. It is not unheard of for normally exemplarily behaved canines to, without warning, do any of the following:
- Jump onto a driver's lap.
- Climb onto the dashboard.
- Climb into the brake and accelerator area.
- Chew and pull on seatbelts or upholstery.
- Become suddenly aggressive.
All dog owning drivers should be aware that any of the above scenarios could result in catastrophic consequences. It is also worth bearing in mind that should they cause a collision with another vehicle, the circumstances will very probably mean that you, being considered negligent in failing to restrain your dog, will be liable to pay car crash compensation.
Appropriate restraint for a dog
The type of restraint you choose will depend on the size and needs of your dog as well as the type of vehicle you drive.
Pet car seats These are good for smaller dogs, they are harnessed to the headrest and usually will allow your dog to see out the window.
Pet carriers These are cushioned, attach to either the seatbelt or the headrest and are ideal for cats as well as small dogs.
Pet crates Very good for larger dogs, usually made from tensile wire and are suited to going in the back of 4WDs and saloons.
Dog seatbelt systems Attach to the pre-existing seatbelt, usually made from nylon and suitable for small to midsize dogs.
Most of these restraints are available from online suppliers as well as good pet stores.
Specialist car accident solicitors
Over the years YouClaim's no win, no fee solicitors have forged an excellent reputation for successfully representing people who have suffered injury in car accidents.
Win or lose, you can rest assured that you will have to pay anyone a single penny in legal costs or fees to fund your claim. Furthermore, our policy of never taking a cut means that, in the event of your win, you are guaranteed 100% compensation.
If you would like to find out more, you can fill out an online claim form or use our e-chat discussion window.
If you would like to speak to someone about making a claim for car crash compensation now, call us on 0800 10 757 95. If you would like to chat with us but do not have the time right now, leave us a callback request.
