Livestock Car Accident

Car accidents involving livestock are common on Texas roads. Almost 10,000 vehicles were involved in crashes with livestock in a single recent year alone. If you suffered an injury in a collision with a farm animal, you may have questions about liability, insurance, and compensation.

Contact Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover for a free consultation about your case. Our experienced livestock accident attorney will review the details of the collision, explain your options for seeking compensation, and walk you through how the injury claims process works.

Why Choose Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover for Your Claim?

Choosing the right lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your livestock auto accident claim. Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover is the right firm for those looking for:

Decades of Experience: Attorney Troy A. Brookover has over 30 years of legal experience inside and outside the courtroom. He has a deep understanding of Texas law, particularly when it comes to personal injury cases.

Thousands of Clients Helped: Over the years, our firm has helped many deserving clients recover the compensation they needed after serious injuries, including those caused by livestock vs. car accidents. Past clients appreciate our attorney’s “aggressive negotiations and extensive knowledge.”

Proven Track Record: We’ve obtained many six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for our clients who deserved compensation for what they’ve suffered, including a $1.6 million car accident settlement.

Comprehensive Legal Services: Our firm handles a wide range of car accident cases. We have the knowledge and skill to take on even complicated claims involving collisions with livestock.

What Happens If You Hit Livestock in Texas?

In Texas, it’s not uncommon for drivers to encounter loose livestock in rural areas and sometimes even in more urban areas. Collisions with livestock that wander onto the road may result in severe injuries and property damage that can leave victims in pain and financially struggling.

Fortunately, there are multiple avenues for seeking compensation for your injuries after an accident involving livestock. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may be able to file a claim against the livestock owner’s insurance, file a claim with your own insurance provider, or pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the livestock owner.

What Are the Livestock Laws in Texas?

Texas is a free-range livestock state, meaning livestock can roam free unless a county-level law says otherwise. The primary statewide stock law says that owners cannot knowingly let their animals roam freely on state and federal highways. However, this law doesn’t apply to farm-to-market roads within open-range counties.

The other livestock laws that could be essential for your lawsuit are those at the county level that designate specific counties as closed-range areas. Within these counties, including Bexar County, livestock owners must keep their animals fenced in and away from roads.

Together, these state and local stock laws mean that your case could look very different depending on where the accident occurred. If it was on a highway or in a closed-range county, how you seek compensation may be different than in an open-range county.

To determine what laws apply to your case, speak to our experienced San Antonio car accident lawyers at Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover.

Who Is Liable When Loose Livestock Causes an Accident in Texas?

Determining liability when loose livestock causes an accident depends on where and how the crash happens. To illustrate the differences, here are some scenarios:

If you collide with livestock on a road in a closed-range county, the owner may be held responsible for negligently allowing their animal to escape.
If you collide with livestock on a road in an open-range county, the owner may not be liable. However, you might be able to file a claim against your own insurance policy, depending on what coverage you’ve purchased.
If you collide with livestock on a highway in an open-range county, you’ll have to prove that the owner knew their animals were near the state or federal highway for them to be at fault.

It’s also worth noting that livestock owners aren’t the only parties who may be liable for accidents caused by animals. For example, the fence manufacturer or installer may be responsible if the livestock escaped because of a defective fence.

Common Types of Livestock Involved in Car Accidents

In Texas, many kinds of livestock can cause car accidents. Larger animals tend to cause more vehicle damage and severe injuries. However, smaller animals can still cause serious wrecks when drivers lose control of their vehicles while trying to avoid them. Some of the most common include:

Cattle
Horses
Sheep
Goats
Pigs
Donkeys
Mules

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Texas

Under Texas’s personal injury statute of limitations, victims of livestock accidents have two years to file their lawsuit against the negligent party. If you don’t file your lawsuit before the deadline, the courts may prevent you from recovering any damages.

Recoverable Damages in Livestock Accident Cases

Damages you can pursue through a personal injury lawsuit for a livestock accident include:

Medical Expenses: Compensation for the surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, medical treatments, medical devices, and physical therapy needed for your injuries
Lost Wages: Compensation for the money you lost while recovering from your injuries and future money you will lose if your injuries impact your ability to work
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience due to your injuries
Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensation for the permanent scarring and disfigurement your injuries left you with
Property Damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing your lost or damaged property

Contact a Texas Livestock Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a livestock collision near San Antonio, Texas, contact Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. You don’t have to handle your case on your own. Let our team help you demand justice and peace of mind.

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