The Federal Highway Safety Commission (FHSC,) estimates that there are over a million collisions a year caused by animals on the road. In rural California, accidents involving livestock cause a substantial amount of injuries and property damage. If you’ve been injured in a collision with cows, horses, sheep, pigs or other livestock, you may have a claim against the owner of the animals. It’s important to speak to a California livestock collision attorney as soon as possible after your accident, as deadlines can be short.
What Causes Livestock Collisions in Turlock, Modesto, Merced, and Monterey, California?
Drivers rely on traffic signals and speed limit signs to ensure that they can quickly and safely reach their destination, not expecting large obstructions en-route. California has many roads that are adjacent to grazing areas, where animals or groups of animals that appear to be contained. Unfortunately, these animals sometimes escape their enclosures and they can become road hazards. When an animal weighing hundreds of pounds suddenly appears in front of a vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. The force of a collision with a large animal can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, spin into oncoming traffic or rollover. If you’re a victim, it’s important to hire an experienced California livestock collision attorney to handle your case.
California Laws Protect Motorists Injured In Collisions With Livestock
California Food and Agricultural Code Section 16902 creates a duty for persons that own or control livestock to protect the public by not permitting animals to stray upon or remain on a public highway. Section 16904 of the Code specifies that despite the duty of the animal owners, there is no presumption of negligence when a motor vehicle accident occurs involving their animal, placing the duty on the claimant. It’s possible to bring a successful case against the animal owners, but only with the help of an experienced California livestock collision attorney that knows how to successfully prove the animal owner was negligent.
California Livestock Collision Attorney
If you’ve been injured by a collision with livestock in Turlock, Modesto, Merced, and Monterey California, it’s important to contact a California livestock collision attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and claims for compensation. Please call today for a free consultation.
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