pet injury prevention | Northern California Personal Injury Blog

For Pet and People Safety, Keep Pets in Seat Belts Too

By Kelly Balamuth on January 31, 2012

Seat belts are a simple way to keep drivers and passengers safer in cars, which is why California and other states require most vehicle occupants to wear them. When a crash occurs, however, it’s not only the people in the car who can be injured.

California law prohibits pets from riding in owners’ laps, but it does not mandate pets wear seat belts, safety harnesses, or be secured in cages or carriers. Nevertheless, securing your pet can protect everyone in the vehicle during an accident.

Both pets and passengers can suffer serious injuries in a crash, which can be made worse if pets aren’t safely secured. If not buckled up, pets can also be thrown around the inside of a vehicle during an accident, causing serious harm to others. According to the pet safety organization Bark Buckle Up, a 60-pound dog can create an impact of over 2,700 pounds if he or she is thrown suddenly in a 30-mile-per-hour crash. The impact can seriously harm not only the dog, but also the driver and passengers in the vehicle – even if the humans are safely buckled in.

Two-legged family members aren’t the only ones who can suffer injuries in car accidents, but when they do, their losses can be extreme. At Balamuth Harrington, our experienced Northern California auto accident lawyers are dedicated to helping those who have been injured in crashes. If you or someone you love has been injured, call us today at (888) 254-1234 for a free and confidential consultation.