Injury lawyers like those in our office see more car accident crashes on country roads involving livestock like horses, cattle, deer, and even loose dogs during the summer and fall. On any car accident crash where a car hits a loose horse, cow, or dog the critical issue is identifying the rancher, farmer or owner of the loose animal.

When a driver hits a loose cow or horse there may be serious injury and the farmer or rancher may be negligent by inference if it can be proven that the cow or horse was loose and that they failed to contain the animal. It makes a much stronger injury case involving a loose cow or horse if there is proof that the rancher knew his gate was faulty or the fencing was inadequate. Hitting a cow or horse on the open range is a different story in itself.

On any car accident injury case whether serious or minor the driver is always independently liable for negligence when they strike a cow or horse so a spouse could bring an insurance claim against her spouse unless this is prohibited by the insurance policy in a circumstance where the identity of the animal is unknown. This would apply equally to anyone who is a passenger and the driver hits a loose animal even like a deer or elk.

In any car accident whether minor or serious where an animal is hit the legal issue get complicated and ore complicated so its best to tell your story to an injury lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.