Hitting an animal with your car can be an upsetting experience, so here’s a handy guide on what to do next.
Unfortunately, many drivers experience the shock of having an animal run out into the road and their car hitting it. It can be difficult, but it is important to stay calm in order to keep yourself and any passengers safe.
To help you in this stressful situation, here is a step-by-step guide on what you should do if the worst happens and you hit an animal with your vehicle.
What to do if you hit an animal: a step-by-step guide
1. Turn on your hazards and stop your car
If your car hits an animal, switch on your hazard lights and then stop the car in a safe space. It’s best not to slam on your brakes, do an emergency stop or veer off to the side to avoid the animal. Doing so could cause you to collide with another car, causing more injuries and damage. You could also be held liable.
Once you’ve found a safe space to stop, check yourself and anyone else in the car for injuries. Larger animals, such as deer and cows, can feel like brick walls if you hit them, so it’s important to check that no one is hurt. If necessary, call an ambulance.
2. Call for help
What you do next will depend on what animal has been hit.
The Road Traffic Act (1998) means that you have a legal responsibility to call the police if you hit any of the following animals:
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cattle (such as cows)
- Pigs
- Goats
- Sheep
- Donkeys and mules
You won’t need to contact the police if you have run over a cat or a wild animal, such as a badger. This is because cats are not classed as a working animal and no one ‘owns’ a wild creature. You are also not legally obliged to stop if you hit a cat or wild animal.
But what should you do if you hit a deer?
A car hitting a deer is a little more serious, so you should call the police once it is safe to do so. They will be able to bring specialists to deal with the injured or dead deer and move it out of the way of traffic.
If it is safe, you can exit your car to see if the animal is dead or injured. Watch the animal from a safe distance first as a wounded creature could react badly to your approach.
If an animal is hurt but still alive, you could call the RSPCA or Scottish or Irish equivalents to see if they can send someone out to help it. Smaller creatures, such as hedgehogs or birds, could be taken directly to a centre or a vet for treatment if you are happy to do so.
If you take an injured cat to a vet, let them know that it isn’t your pet and you will not be charged for the treatment. Hopefully, the cat will be tagged and the vet will be able to locate the owner.
If an animal is dead, it is a good idea to call your local council to report it. They can then send someone out to remove the animal. If you are able to move a dead animal out of the road so other motorists don’t hit it, then you can do so. However, always be mindful of other cars and do not attempt this unless it is safe.
Read more: Learn about our Breakdown cover.
3. Contact the owner of a pet
If you have hit a dog or cat, its owners will appreciate being told.
If a dog has been hit, look around for the owner as they are likely to be nearby. If they are, you should share your contact details with them and let them know that you have informed the police.
If you cannot see an owner, you can check for any collar tags on the dog or cat and then use the contact information to reach the owners. If there is no identification, there is a possibility that the animal is microchipped. A vet or the RSPCA can discover this if you want to investigate further.
Remember: you are legally obliged to stop and to report hitting a dog.
4. Gather evidence
If you hit an animal, it’s a good idea to gather some evidence of the scene for the police and/or your insurance provider.
Taking photos is a great way of doing this, no matter how unpleasant it is.
Make sure you take photos of the whole scene, including the animal and the damage to your car. It’s also important to look around your surroundings and take photos of anything that may be relevant, such as a hole in a nearby fence or an unsecured gate. This could be relevant if you decide to make a claim on your Car Insurance.
If there are witnesses, try to get a statement from them along with their contact details too.
5. Get in touch with your Car Insurance provider
You should let your insurer know if you have had an accident with an animal, even if you are not intending to make a claim.
If you do decide to go ahead, you could be covered for damage to your car or any injuries. Depending on the circumstances, your insurer may decide that the animal’s owner was at fault for the accident.
If you’re wondering if hitting a deer is an ‘at fault’ accident in the UK, the answer depends on your insurer. Unfortunately, most insurers will count this as an ‘at fault’ incident because they cannot reclaim any costs from a third party. This means that you will lose your no claims bonus and you may have to pay an excess charge.
When you contact your insurer, make sure you share with them any evidence you have gathered, including any dash cam footage.
How to avoid hitting an animal with your car
Sometimes, hitting a deer, cat or other animal is unavoidable. However, there are precautions you can take to reduce your risk.
At sunrise and sundown, you need to take extra care when on the road. This is because wildlife tends to be more active at these times. You should also look out for warning signs on the road, which will give you an indication of what animals you may find.
If you’re driving at a risky time or you’ve spotted a warning sign, keep an eye on your speed. Going slower will give you more time to spot hazards. If you spot a deer or other animal by the side of the road, chances are that there are more nearby.
Driving at full beam is a good idea if the road is dark and there is no oncoming traffic. However, if you spot an animal wandering into your path, dip your lights. This is because a very bright light is more likely to make an animal freeze rather than move away.
As we said earlier, suddenly braking or veering across the road is not advisable. However, hitting a larger animal can cause you and your vehicle a lot of damage. If you want to try to avoid contact, always check that there is no one close behind you or on the other side of the road before you brake or swerve.
Are you liable for accidents caused to avoid hitting an animal?
If you swerve into another car or one slams into the back of you because you have suddenly braked, then you are liable for the accident. For this reason, it is best to check your surroundings before trying to dodge an animal, or try to stay calm and keep to your path and speed. You can then stop your car when it is safe to do so.
Get in touch
If you’d like to talk about the terms of your Car Insurance or Breakdown cover, or you want to get a quote, get in touch with our team by calling 0800 917 2274.
