If my dog hit by car, who is responsible for daamages to the car and injuries to my dog?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If my dog hit by car, who is responsible for daamages to the car and injuries to my dog?

My niece’s dog was on a country road in front of my aunt and uncle’s house, a car hit the dog injuring him and caused damage to the vehicle that hit the dog. The people who hit the dog wants my niece to pay for their vehicle and not to pay for any injuries to her dog. My aunt was told that the country road in front of her house is considered their property and that my niece is responsible.

Asked on June 29, 2012 under Accident Law, Indiana

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

The issue is fault--and note that both parties may be at fault:

1) If the dog was loose, then to at least some degree your neice would be at fault--she allowed her dog into the road.

2) If the driver was not at fault (see below), then he or she could likely recover the cost to repair the car from your neice, and not have to pay for the dog's injuries, since the neice was at fault and the driver was not.

3) If the driver was also at fault--such as driving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions; talking or texting while driving; ignoring stop signs and the like; DUI; or generally driving carelessly)--then the relative balance of fault would determine who owes how much to the other.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption