The latest concern for drivers is motoring with dogs that are not secured by a pet harness. According to a recent news article, research finds that in an accident, an unrestrained pet may travel at a force up to five times its weight maiming or killing the driver or a passenger as well as itself.
True dog lovers are already aware that pet auto restraints are available for purchase in a number of forms. The most common form of safety device for dogs is a car harness. Installation is fairly simply.
You begin by inserting your vehicle's seat belt into the harness's buckle then slip the seat belt into the quick link that is delivered in an open position for easy use. The quick link is then fastened to the seat belt and the animal.
Then in the case of a sudden stop the dog is restrained from flying freely throughout the vehicle.
Drivers may also purchase actual dog car seats and booster seats for their pets. These come in a variety of sizes to accommodate dogs of all sizes. All of these include a seat belt for dogs but some come with the added protection of a mesh cage which further secures your pet in the event of a vehicle collision.
Unfortunately, statistics on the number of injuries and or deaths caused by unrestrained pets in an automobile accident are difficult to uncover. But there are a number of anecdotal stories that relate the horror of such an incident.
Just a few months ago a driver was distracted by his pet seated in his lap and he lost control - killing a teenage pedestrian. This type of accident plays out daily across the country. The cost of a pet restraint is a lifesaving purchase. Don't delay.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston personal injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner Law Firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a Houston car accident call the Houston auto accident lawyers.
