Can You Sue After a Crash Caused by a Driver Avoiding a Loose Pet?

November 21, 2025

Dennis Hernandez

Unexpected roadway hazards often lead to serious crashes, but one of the least expected dangers comes from loose pets. For instance, there are situations where a dog causes car accident no contact Florida motorists might experience after swerving to avoid the animal. When a dog darts into the road, a driver may instinctively swerve to avoid hitting it—sometimes causing a collision with another car or fixed object. But who is responsible when no physical contact is made with the animal, yet a crash still occurs?

This is not an isolated case in Florida, and it raises significant legal issues. Victims are often left injured, their vehicle damaged and facing financial loss. Thankfully, Florida law includes ways to hold negligent individuals responsible — even when they don’t make contact with the car’s exterior.

If you’ve been hurt in a situation like this, the personal injury lawyers at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys are here to help you understand your rights. Millions Recovered – In the fight for you!

How Can a Pet Cause a Crash Without Physical Contact?

While most people think of animal-related liability in terms of dog bites, car crashes due to loose pets can be equally dangerous. Most often, a dog unexpectedly enters the street, forcing the driver to respond in a fraction of a second.

Not all of the injuries are required to have physical impact in the Florida legal system. In many dog causes car accident no contact Florida cases, the pet’s owner can still be found liable. For instance, if a dog runs into the street and a driver swerves off the road into a tree, responsibility may still fall on the owner — even though the animal never touched the car or the object. So-called “no-contact” crashes are very common..

In such situations, the specific key phrase dog causes car accident no contact Florida matters a great deal, particularly when attempting to show that a pet owner’s negligence led to the crash.

What Responsibilities Do Pet Owners Have Under Florida Law?

Florida law places a clear duty on pet owners to keep their animals from creating roadway hazards. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 767, liability may apply even in a dog causes car accident no contact Florida situation. Allowing a dog to wander freely near public roads can be considered a breach of reasonable care, exposing the owner to potential legal responsibility.

Negligence can arise when:

A dog escapes a yard without a leash
The owner fails to secure the pet during outdoor activities
The animal is known to behave unpredictably and no precautions are taken

These scenarios can create strong grounds for a negligent pet owner crash Florida lawsuit. Courts have long recognized that pet owners must take reasonable steps to protect others from foreseeable harm caused by their animals.

Can You File a Claim Without Dog Contact?

Yes. Florida courts allow plaintiffs to bring a negligence claim even when the animal doesn’t physically touch the vehicle or the injured party. What matters most is whether the pet’s behavior—combined with the owner’s lack of control—created an unsafe condition that caused the crash.

For example, in a no-contact incident where a cyclist or motorist swerves to avoid a loose dog, the owner may still be liable for the resulting injuries if:

The dog was off-leash in an unfenced area
The owner failed to respond appropriately
The pet had a history of running into roads

If it can be shown that the pet owner could have prevented the situation with reasonable care, a personal injury attorney can pursue damages on your behalf.

What Evidence Strengthens a Pet-Related Crash Case?

Successfully proving fault in a no-contact animal-related crash requires strong documentation. After any accident involving a loose dog, victims should:

Take photographs of the scene, road conditions, and skid marks
Identify the dog owner and request their contact information
Speak with witnesses who saw the incident unfold
Obtain surveillance footage from nearby properties if available
Contact animal control for records of prior violations

Additionally, Florida’s comparative negligence system allows multiple parties to share fault. This means even if a driver partially contributed to the crash, the pet owner could still be held liable for their share of the damages.

How Do Florida Courts Handle Leash Law Violations?

The majority of Florida communities have leash ordinances which require dogs to be restrained in public places. If you were in the act of violating these laws when your injury occurred, you can be deemed to be negligent per se—an inescapable legal conclusion that a breach of a public safety statute or rule equals negligence.

So, for instance, if a local ordinance requires dogs to be leashed when visiting residential areas and a dog darts from the home into traffic and causes an accident, that breach could serve as the basis for filing suit against the owner of that animal.

Can the Driver Also Be Held Responsible?

Drivers have a duty to respond reasonably to unexpected hazards. If a driver swerves unsafely to avoid a dog and crashes into another vehicle or object, their actions will also be evaluated under Florida’s negligence rules.

If the driver was speeding, texting, or already acting recklessly before the dog appeared, they may share fault. In these cases, the court may reduce compensation to reflect the driver’s share of the responsibility.

However, a reasonable reaction to an immediate danger—such as braking or swerving safely—may relieve the driver of full liability.

What Types of Compensation Can Victims Recover?

When pursuing a claim related to a crash caused by an off-leash pet, victims may be eligible for a wide range of damages, including:

Medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, or rehabilitation
Lost wages due to missed work or long-term disability
Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and reduced quality of life

In extreme cases involving gross negligence, courts may award punitive damages. For instance, if the dog had a history of escaping and the owner ignored multiple warnings, this could support a claim for additional compensation.

What Should You Do Immediately After This Type of Crash?

If you’ve been involved in a dog causes car accident no contact Florida scenario, follow these steps:

Seek medical attention – Some injuries, like internal trauma or whiplash, are not immediately visible.
Call law enforcement – A police report provides an official record of the incident.
Document the scene – Photos, videos, and witness information are crucial.
Avoid admitting fault – Let investigators analyze the circumstances.
Contact a personal injury attorney – Legal guidance can help maximize your recovery.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Navigating Florida’s injury laws, leash regulations, and insurance company tactics can be overwhelming. An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to investigate a negligent pet owner crash Florida, gather evidence, and hold the right party accountable.

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we’ve helped thousands of clients recover damages after being hurt by the carelessness of others. Whether your case involves a traditional auto accident or an unusual no-contact dog incident, we fight to get you paid!

We will:

Review police reports and medical records
Identify all liable parties
Subpoena animal control or veterinary records
Negotiate with insurers or litigate in court

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Under Florida Statutes §95.11, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you must file a lawsuit within that timeframe or risk losing your right to compensation.

Because evidence can fade and witnesses may become unavailable, it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Are These Cases Common?

Yes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, pet-related claims are on the rise nationwide. In 2022, dog-related incidents accounted for over $1 billion in insurance claims across the United States. Many involved bites, but a growing number involved vehicle crashes and other indirect harm.

In Florida, high pet ownership rates and year-round outdoor activity increase the likelihood of encountering a dog causes car accident no contact Florida situation.

Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Rights After a Pet-Related Crash

Being injured in a crash caused by a loose dog is frustrating—especially when no physical contact with the animal occurs. However, Florida law supports your right to seek compensation from negligent pet owners whose failure to control their animals leads to preventable harm.

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we understand how to navigate these complex cases. We’ve recovered millions and millions for injured victims across Florida, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Don’t let someone’s irresponsible pet ownership leave you footing the bill. Let us help you hold them accountable.

We fight to get you paid!