Runaway Horse and Vehicle Passenger Die in Norco Freeway Collision

The owner was unable to corral the the yarraman before a vehicle collided with the horse, killing the equine animal and a human passenger in that vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol said it received several calls before 2 a.m. Sunday of a horse running around the northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway. Officers arrived at the scene, just south of Limonite Avenue, and learned a driver had struck a horse that was on the freeway.

The horse was killed upon impact, and a passenger in the vehicle died at the scene. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.

The investigation revealed that the horse was traveling in a trailer and somehow got out onto the freeway. The driver who was transporting the trailer tried getting the horse back before it was hit by a car. He later called the police and cooperated with them in the investigation.

Passenger Injuries

Humans are always more valuable than horses, as far as California personal injury law is concerned. Therefore, the compensation in a human passenger injury case is usually higher than in a non-human passenger injury case. More on that below.

Additionally, injured drivers and injured passengers are equal in the eyes of the law. However, many injured passengers don’t exercise their legal rights.
Many passengers, who usually have a close personal relationship with tortfeasors (negligent drivers), don’t want to cause financial trouble for their friends and/or loved ones. That sentiment is understandable but misplaced.

In most cases, an auto insurance company is responsible for all litigation-related costs, such as hiring a lawyer and paying a settlement. True, the company will almost certainly raise the tortfeasor’s rates or even cancel the tortfeasor’s policy. But these things probably would’ve happened anyway.
Moreover, injured passengers may not think they need legal compensation if a health insurance company pays their medical bills. Again, this is not true.

Most insurance companies don’t cover injury-related claims. When the company discovers the source of the claim, it’ll demand its money back sooner or later. Additionally, no health insurance policy fully compensates accident victims.

A California Car Accident Lawyer obtains compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Pet Injuries

Many owners consider cats, dogs, and other pets family members. However, state law doesn’t share that emotional perspective.

If a horse or other animal is injured or killed in a car crash, the tortfeasor may only be liable for the animal’s replacement value. Horses, purebred animals, and stage pets often have considerable financial value, while other animals have practically no financial value.

The law is slowly evolving on this point. Our lawyers advocate for change in Sacramento, and they’re making some progress. But for the foreseeable future, pet owners probably won’t be entitled to noneconomic damages in these cases.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today!

Car crashes seriously injure all living things. For a free consultation with an experienced Personal Injury Attorney In California, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. Virtual, after-hours, and home visits are available.

Credit: Photo by Midjourney