Investigators believe that a dog loose in a car may have contributed to a recent crash that killed a married couple and injured three others on September 2012 as they were walking home from a religious service in New Brunswick, N.J. Investigators said the driver of a 1998 Toyota Avalon lost control of the vehicle, struck a utility pole and then hit the pedestrians. The driver’s pet dog was in the car at the time and may have been a factor in the accident, authorities said.
New Jersey Law and Distracted Driving
A New Jersey law prohibits allowing animals to be loose in a vehicle, though it was designed to address animal cruelty rather than distracted driving. A violation carries of fine of $250 to $1,000. According to the law:
A person who shall carry, or cause to be carried, a living animal or creature in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner, shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense….
A bill recently introduced into the legislature would require animals that are being transported in a vehicle to be secured by a harness if they are not in a cage. Whether the bill passes remains to be seen; however, the issue of pets loose in vehicles is getting increasing attention.
A pet in a vehicle can be a distraction for a driver. The few seconds that a driver spends paying attention to a loose animal could be enough to cause a tragic accident.
Get Advice from a New Jersey/New York Injury Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a New Jersey or New York car accident caused by a driver who was dealing with a loose pet or other distraction, you may be entitled to compensation. Seek the advice and assistance of an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact the New York/New Jersey car accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., to find out what legal options you may have. With seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. For your free consultation, contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form.