Safety Tips When Traveling with Pets

Pets are part of the family; therefore, it is important to ensure their safety when traveling in a vehicle. However, there are no safety requirements for keeping animals restrained when traveling in cars the way there are for humans. This puts both animals and drivers at serious risk. Getting into a car accident when animals are in the vehicle can lead to them sustaining severe and fatal injuries, especially since there is nothing restraining them to the seat. When traveling with a pet, there are a few things you can do to keep them and yourself safe:

• Place your pet in a carrier. If your animal is the appropriate size for a travel crate, you should tie it down on the floor of the backseat or with the seat belt to avoid your pet being thrown from the car in the event of a collision. Crates can also lessen the chances of your pet developing motion sickness. You should not let pets, especially cats, roam around your vehicle, especially since cats have a habit of crawling under feet.
• Avoid having your pet in the front seat. This includes the passenger seat. You will also want to avoid holding your pet on your lap. Seat belts and airbags are designed with humans in mind, not animals. In the event of a collision, an airbag can do more harm than good to an animal.
• Be sure to pack enough pet food and water with you. If you are going on a long trip, it may be a bad time to experiment with different types of animal food. If something does not agree with your pet’s stomach, your car may suddenly become your animal’s restroom. You should feed your pet a light meal a few hours before traveling.
• Have an emergency travel kit with you. An emergency travel kit should include extra animal toys, proof of your animal’s rabies shots, plastic bags, bandages that are specifically made to stay on animals, gauze, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, pain reliver specifically for your animal’s weight and age, and anything else you think you will need.
• Make sure your pet has a detailed animal tag on their collar. This is important if you lose your pet during your trip. It may also be a good idea to consider getting your pet microchipped.
• Prepare for the ride. If you are taking a long road trip, try preparing your pet by taking them on shorter trips in your vehicle.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured in All Types of Car Accidents

If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident, contact a Baltimore car accident lawyer at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our experienced lawyers will work tirelessly to protect your rights. We will review your case and obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529).

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.