The dangers drivers face on the road usually start long before a crash occurs. While pet owners do not expect a problem on a routine trip, it only takes a split second for a dog to become a distraction. The dog can get excited, see something through the window, try to move into the front seat, or react to another animal, a horn, or a stoplight. That small moment of driver inattention can cause a serious accident.
AAA survey data found that 31% of dog owners admit to engaging in distracting behavior while driving with their pets. Drivers reported petting their dog, allowing it to sit in their lap, and letting it move from seat to seat. Those actions raise the risk of a distraction-caused crash because the driver is no longer fully focused on traffic, speed, braking distance, or other motorists.
As car accident attorneys in South Carolina, the lawyers at Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers also see the devastating consequences of distracted driving every day. Dealing with a pet while driving is among the many potential driver distractions that contribute to thousands of car accidents and injuries in South Carolina every year.
How Can a Loose Dog Turn a Routine Drive Into a Crash?
An unrestrained dog changes the dynamics inside a moving vehicle. A large dog can shift weight across the seat, push into the driver’s side, or block a driver’s view through the windshield or side window. A smaller dog can jump into the driver’s lap, press against the steering wheel, or move under the driver’s feet near the pedals. In either case, the driver can lose control fast.
That risk is not just common sense; it’s a known danger. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that distracted driving includes anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off driving. A loose pet can create all three forms of distraction at once.
In addition to being a distraction, an unsecured dog is at greater risk for serious injury or death due to blunt force trauma or vehicle ejection in a car accident. In both cases, the unrestrained dog can also pose risk of injury to the driver and other passengers during a crash.
The American Veterinary Medical Association warns drivers not to let dogs sit on their laps and advises using a secure harness, carrier, or crate during car travel. The point is simple: your dog’s comfort matters, but safety has to come first.
Pets Don’t Belong Behind the Wheel
As longtime supporters of South Carolina pets through programs like our Carolina Paw Project and as pet lovers ourselves, we know how much people love their pets. We also know that when pets travel with us in a car or truck, they must be crated or restrained, for their own safety and ours. We’ve seen firsthand how quickly a loose pet can cause a car crash.
A recent study from Volvo Car USA and The Harris Poll finds that both drivers and pets are stressed when pets roam free in a moving vehicle, and that drivers commit significantly more unsafe driving behaviors.
The study, which followed 15 drivers and their dogs for more than 30 hours on the road, said that examples of dog behavior that create driver distractions include a dog climbing on a driver’s lap, jumping from seat to seat, or hanging its head out the window.
Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, president of the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care, said that having an unrestrained pet in a vehicle increases the likelihood of distracted driving and of serious injury in the event of a crash.
“Unfortunately, in my field, we see the potentially devastating consequences regularly, many of which can be avoided by simply ensuring our animals are safely secured,” Mazzaferro said in a statement accompanying the study.
An AAA auto club survey also showed that 84 percent of respondents had driven with pets on a variety of car trips, but only 16 percent used any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog.
Other survey findings indicate that the danger of driving with a dog in the car is real:
- 29 percent of respondents admit to being distracted by their dog while driving
- 65 percent have displayed at least one distracted behavior while driving with their dog
- 52 percent have patted their dog while driving
- 17 percent allowed their dog to sit in their lap
- 13 percent of drivers admitted to giving food or treats to their dog while driving
- 4 percent acknowledged playing with their dog
“All these behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash,” AAA says.
Few States Address Restraining Pets in Vehicles
Despite the dangers, few states have laws that prohibit driving with an unrestrained dog in your vehicle. While in some states, it could fall under state animal cruelty laws, South Carolina has no such law. However, a survey of legislation by the Go Pet Friendly blog suggests South Carolina drivers could still be at risk of a ticket for negligence or another offense when driving with a pet in their lap if a law enforcement officer considers the situation unsafe.
Lance Cpl. David Jones of the S.C. Highway Patrol told The State newspaper in 2018 that he has responded to crashes in which dogs were a distraction. “The first thing (the driver) will say is that the dog was in the back seat and jumped into their lap.”
Options for Restraining Dogs Riding in Cars and Trucks
There are numerous options for restraining pets in vehicles, including pet seat belts, harnesses, crates, and carriers.
Safety-certified, crash-tested crates are the best option to ensure your dog’s safety when traveling. When selecting a model, make sure it is the right-sized crate for your dog and allows good air circulation for your dog’s comfort.
Experts say a restrained dog should travel in the back seat behind the front passenger seat and never behind the driver, where it could grab hold of clothing and/or otherwise cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
What to Know After a Pet-Related Car Accident in South Carolina
A crash involving an unrestrained dog should be evaluated like other distracted-driving accidents. The key questions are often whether the pet pulled the driver’s attention from the road, interfered with steering or braking, blocked the driver’s view, or became a factor in the collision. Photos, witness statements, dash cam footage, the police report, and early statements about the dog’s movement in the vehicle can help show whether the loose pet contributed to the crash.
Because these cases often involve personal injury and distracted-driving issues, it may be helpful to review the firm’s background in handling such claims. Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has been recognized in the 2026 Best Law Firms® rankings for personal injury litigation for plaintiffs in Charleston and Columbia. Our attorneys have also been recognized by South Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in practice areas that include plaintiff personal injury and workers’ compensation.
Contact Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a Pet-Related Car Accident
Driving with a loose dog can pull a driver’s hands from the wheel, attention from traffic, and control of the vehicle. South Carolina may not have a direct pet restraint law for standard passenger cars, but unrestrained dogs in cars create a serious risk of accidents, and that risk can lead to real negligence claims when people get hurt.
After a pet-related car accident, it is important to understand how fault, insurance coverage, and distracted driving may affect a personal injury claim. Evidence such as photos, witness statements, police reports, and details about the dog’s movement inside the vehicle can help show how the crash happened. Then, consult an experienced car accident lawyer to build a solid personal injury case.
Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has proudly been selected for inclusion in The Best Law Firm in America, and multiple firm attorneys are included in The Best Lawyers in America® for personal injury litigation for plaintiffs and South Carolina Super Lawyers, including Partner Mark Joye’s selection to South Carolina Super Lawyers Top 10.
If you were hurt in a car accident tied to an unrestrained pet or distracted driving, reach out to us for a free consultation and let us help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Car Accidents with Animals
Can a driver be at fault if a dog causes a crash inside the car?
Yes. A driver may be held responsible if a loose dog distracts them and leads to a crash. In a personal injury claim, the issue usually comes down to negligence. That means looking at whether the driver acted with reasonable care under the circumstances. If the dog was moving freely, jumped into the driver’s lap, or interfered with the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, that may support a claim for fault.
Can an insurance company deny that a loose pet caused the accident?
Yes. An insurer may argue that traffic, weather, or another driver caused the crash instead. That is one reason evidence matters. Photos, witness statements, dashcam footage, and the police report may help show that the dog’s movement inside the car contributed to the collision. A pet-related car accident can be harder to prove if the scene is not documented early.
Is it safer for a dog to ride in the front seat if the trip is short?
No. Safety guidance from the American Veterinary Medical Association advises keeping pets out of the front seat and never on the driver’s lap. Even on a short drive, a dog in the front seat can block visibility, interfere with the steering wheel, or be badly hurt if the airbag deploys in a crash.
Can a loose dog injure people inside the vehicle during a crash?
Yes. In a collision, an unrestrained animal can be thrown forward with force and strike the driver or passengers. That can add to the harm from the crash itself. It can also make rescue efforts harder if the animal is scared or loose after impact. That is one reason pet restraint systems and secured carriers are widely recommended for safer travel.
Should a driver report that a dog caused the distraction after an accident?
Yes. If a loose dog contributed to the crash, that detail should be reported as early as possible. It may become important later when the fault is disputed. The fact should be included in statements to police and, when appropriate, documented with photos or witness accounts. Clear reporting can help preserve facts that might otherwise be lost.
When should someone call a lawyer after a pet-related car accident?
It is smart to call a lawyer soon after the crash if there are injuries, disputed fault, or signs that the insurer is minimizing the extent of the crash. Cases involving distracted driving and loose pets can turn on small details. Early legal help can make it easier to preserve evidence, identify negligence, and protect a claim for compensation.
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