My sons dog jumped the fence due to so much snow on the ground and was hit by a truck. The truck was from Michigan with no fault insurance. The accident occurred in Indiana. The owner of the truck wants to sue me for damages. Is this possible?
The dog was a mid size dog and the truck was a large 350 Dulles. I do not believe the damage was due from my dog. What can be done?

This may be covered by your homeowner's insurance. I would check with them.

Yes its certainly possible for him to sue you. What damages does he claim?

You do need to keep control of your dog, so the dog getting out and causing an accident could be considered your fault and make you liable for damages. But that would be covered by your homeowner's liability insurance.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

This may be covered by your homeowner's insurance. I would check with them.

Yes its certainly possible for him to sue you. What damages does he claim?

You do need to keep control of your dog, so the dog getting out and causing an accident could be considered your fault and make you liable for damages. But that would be covered by your homeowner's liability insurance.

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I do not know the amount of the claim. But we are concerned as the truck was a large Chevy s 350 Dulley and the dog was a mid sized mutt. How does one know if the damages were not from a prior accident? How does one handle this? Pictures were taken at the time of the report. The report was not done right at the time of the accident. It was filed an hour or so later. Not at the scene and the dog have already been taken to the vet. How do we know it was not a buddies truck? Just not sure of how to move forward.

Was Any ticket or citation issued? Was the homeowner insurance agency and drivers agent advised? I would think the driver's insurance would cover it. I'm not sure whose fault it wound be. You are supposed to control the dog, but he is supposed to watch and be prepared to stop. It could have been a child or deer... Who would he blame then?

Yes, you are liable for any damages to the vehicle. Does not matter what type of insurance they have, their insurance not liable, you are. Normally this will be covered by your home owners ( minus any deductible) as long as your policy does not void dogs, or if the dog is banned by breed or type from the insurance.

He wants to sue you or wants the damage repaired? You don't move forward, your insurance agent will work with the claims dept. of your homeowners insurance. Otherwise, you will have to pay the damage. Regardless, you are at fault. Police will find no fault of the driver.

That's why you report this to YOUR insurer. They will investigate. They can judge how much damage would be caused. They will require that the vehicle be made available for an inspection.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

That's why you report this to YOUR insurer. They will investigate. They can judge how much damage would be caused. They will require that the vehicle be made available for an inspection.

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Yes thank you. This was a help. So sad to have to deal with this at such a sad time. Thank you.