If Ibacked out of my driveway and hit my neighbor’s unleashed dog, amI responsible for payingthe vet bill?
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If Ibacked out of my driveway and hit my neighbor’s unleashed dog, amI responsible for payingthe vet bill?
When I backed out of my drive way the other day, I didn’t see my neighbors dog and accidentally hit her. I was only going maybe 3-5 miles per hour. My neighbors aunt who lives across the street from us was out front with the dog, didn’t have her on a leash. Now there’s a leash wrapped right around our front porch, had the dog been on it she would have not been in the middle of the drive way. the dog seemed to be OK, I got out and checked on her. So today the aunt tells my husband well im at work that shes going to send me a copy of the vet bill and wants me to pay half ($150). Am I at fault?
Asked on September 2, 2011 under Accident Law, New York
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You are liable for the dog's injuries/vet bill. Liability would be based on negligence for not seeing the dog when backing out of your driveway. You could be held liable for the entire vet bill; so, the fact that the neighbor only wants you to pay half the vet bill is actually reasonable.
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