Driving With Your Pet Could Be a Deadly Mistake - Gainesville Accident Attorney Explains.

Have you ever been distracted by a barking dog, nails on leather seats, or a yapping lap dog?  If you have, then you are in the company of 80% of respondents polled by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA), who reported driving with their pets on leisure trips or to work. 

Of those polled, AAA reported that only 17% properly restrained their pets while driving.

As a Gainesville accident attorney, I have seen the devastating effects of distracted driving-whether from texting, talking on a cell, or an unrestrained pet passenger. 

In 2008, approximately 6,000 people were killed in distracted driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Statistics show that driving with your pet could even be as deadly as driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Not only are unrestrained pets a distraction, you could be found comparatively negligent, or at-fault, for damages caused in an accident.  If your pet contributes to the cause of a wreck by distracting you, the driver, then you may be liable for a portion of the damages.

I urge you to protect yourself, your pet, and fellow motorists by properly restraining and securing your pet before getting behind the wheel. 

For More Information:

Restrain Your Pet - Restraint Systems Explained