One person was seriously injured after a car stopped on the 91 Freeway in Riverside and caused a three-vehicle collision. The cat was apparently unhurt.

The driver turned on the hazard lights in the HOV lane and stopped while the passenger jumped out and caught a cat. According to the California Highway Patrol, one trailing car didn’t brake in time and swerved into the center divider, heading right toward the man holding the cat.

The man panicked and tried to jump over the wall, losing the cat. To avoid him, the driver swerved the other way, clipping the bumper of another car and then careening across all lanes of the freeway until the vehicle hit a tractor-trailer.

“The great thing is that the cat made it, but these people caused a big mess,” CHP spokesperson Jamie Navarro said. “Who stops on the freeway like that?”

Pets, Car Crashes, and Distracted Driving

The relationship between animals and car crashes is an everyday issue. Unrestrained pets in the passenger area are the biggest issue. Almost 90 percent of Americans agree that driving with unrestrained pets is dangerous. Over 90 percent of pet owners admitted they interacted with an unrestrained pet at least once in the previous month. These interactions usually cause all three kinds of distracted driving:

• Visual: When pet owners interact with their pets, they take their eyes off the road. Some of the worst pet-related visual distractions include giving the animal food, water or treats and turning to look at the animal in the back seat.
• Manual: These interactions often cause drivers to take at least one hand off the wheel. 50 percent of pet owners admitted they petted their animals while their vehicles were in motion. Today’s vehicles are so big and fast that they require two hands to operate safely.
• Cognitive: Pet ownership aims to get one’s mind off something else and focus on the pet (cognitive distraction). However, 40 percent of drivers admitted they talked to or yelled at their pets while driving.

Safe multitasking while driving is a myth. If pet owners interact with their animals for five seconds, their vehicles travel the length of a football field.

The Last Clear Chance Doctrine

Initial reports immediately blamed The Rescuers for causing the crash. The driver may face criminal charges, but responsibility is less specific in civil court. All drivers have a duty of care at all times. They must do whatever possible to avoid accidents, even if the drivers in front of them act irresponsibly.

Like the one described above, the last clear chance doctrine often applies in rear-end or near-rear-end wrecks. It’s illegal to stop on the freeway in non-emergency situations. However, a stopped car is a clear obstacle, especially if the vehicle’s hazard lights are on. If trailing drivers fail to adjust and cause wrecks, they could be liable for damages.

These damages typically include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Reach Out To Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Today!

A California Car Accident Attorney can obtain additional punitive damages in some extreme cases. Injury victims need and deserve substantial compensation. For a free consultation with experienced Personal Injury Attorneys In California, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.