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DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Horses Trigger Car Accident On Freeway, Seriously Injuring Woman

Over the years, the personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie have encountered numerous types of accidents and injuries—including ones involving animals. One night, horses that had escaped from a nearby ranch triggered a car accident on the 91 Freeway, seriously injuring a woman. First she collided with a dead horse lying in her lane; then she was struck by another vehicle attempting to avoid the other 13 or so wandering horses. The accident was unavoidable, explains a California injury lawyer. 

The woman came to us seriously injured: a dislocated right elbow and a full thickness tear of the supraspinatous tendon which required arthroscopic surgery. Fortunately, through quality medical attention she was able to recover, with her gross medical bills—totaling over $50,000—paid by health insurance. 

The Defendant, the ranch’s owners, claimed that their fence had been vandalized during the night and that there was no way for them to protect against this occurrence, given that their ranch hand had last inspected the fence during the day. To prove liability, it must be demonstrated that a ranch did something wrong, either neglecting the inspection or fencing of the property or leaving the gate open, etc.  We alleged that the ranch was strictly liable and, therefore, needed to prove that the horses have a dangerous propensity, meaning not that they bite or kick, but that they have a tendency to do something that makes them dangerous, such as escaping and wandering onto the road or, as in this case, the freeway. We subpoenaed the County of Riverside Department of Animal Services records and learned that the horses had escaped on one prior occasion, providing us with a very good argument of liability that ultimately settled the case for $ 157,500.

We are glad we could help our client recover physically and financially from this traumatic experience.  

For questions about your rights and options after a car accident, or to discuss a specific case with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Awarded: $157,500