What Should You Do if You Hit an Animal on the Road?

You’ve probably seen animals like raccoons, coyotes, and deer near roadways. You might even have seen larger animals near the road, such as elk in mountain areas or cows in open-range regions. Most of the time, these animals usually stay away from loud vehicles on the road, but sometimes, they wind up on the road at the same time as a car.

No one wants to hit an animal while driving. In addition to hurting an innocent creature, colliding with an animal could cause injuries or serious damage to your vehicle. It’s important to know what to do if you do hit an animal on the road and how you can help protect your car from expensive damage.

Animals on the road are hit most often in October, November, and December, corresponding to mating and hunting seasons. Each year, the odds of a U.S. driver hitting an animal is approximately 1 in 128. Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, 1.8 million animal collision insurance claims were filed. Deer and motor vehicle collisions accounted for 1.5 million of those claims.

The most common scenario if you hit an animal on the road involves paved rural, two-lane, low-traffic roads. The majority of such collisions happen before complete darkness falls. If you see deer along the edge of the road, remember that they tend to travel in herds, and one deer running across the road could be followed by others.

Reducing Your Risk of Animal Accidents

The following preventive measures can reduce your risk of hitting animals on the road:

• Stay alert: Be extra vigilant when traveling in areas with “Deer Crossing” or other signs warning of the presence of wild animals. The same applies when driving near woods, wetlands, fields, or other typical wildlife habitats. Continuously scan the road while driving.
• Follow the speed limit: Driving too fast increases the likelihood of hitting animals on the road.
• Use high beams: If you can safely use your high beams, do so. High beams allow you to see animals sooner. By flicking these lights, some animals may move or avoid the roadway.
• Lower dashboard lights: By slightly lowering your dashboard lights, you increase the chance that a vulnerable animal’s eyes are reflected in your headlights, giving you additional time to brake.
• Avoid swerving: While you might instinctively swerve your car to avoid hitting animals on the road, resisting this reaction is important. Swerving could cause a more serious accident, such as your car running off the road into a tree or other solid object. Deer frequently run toward a swerving vehicle rather than away from it.
• Honk your horn: The simple act of honking your horn can warn animals to get out of the way.
• Brake firmly: Use your brakes firmly when encountering animals on the road.

Follow these steps if your car hits an animal.

1. Pull Over When It’s Safe

Hitting a large animal, like a deer or elk, could easily total your vehicle. Smaller animals, like raccoons, could also cause serious damage depending on the severity of the collision.

If you hit an animal, you should first remain calm and try to regain control of your vehicle. If you decide to pull over, guide your car to the side of the road as safely as you can. Be sure to turn on your hazard lights so you’re visible to other drivers.

Check yourself and your passengers for any serious injuries that may need immediate medical attention. If you or a passenger needs medical care, contact emergency services.

2. Contact the Police

An accident that causes damage to your vehicle does not always require a call to the police. However, they should be called if there’s an obstruction left in the road after the collision. For example, you hit and kill a deer while driving. The animal is still lying in the roadway and could become a potential hazard for other drivers. By calling the police right away, you reduce the chance of anyone else hitting the animal or your vehicle.

Most of the time, the police will ask you questions and fill out a police report. This report can also potentially help you when you file your insurance claim.

Legal Obligations on Reporting

Reporting a vehicle hitting an animal is not a requirement in every state. Some states mandate the reporting of collisions with certain animals. Always notify the police after such a collision to support your insurance claim and ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the area you’re in.

Reporting the accident also helps municipalities keep accurate records of where animal and motor vehicle collisions most often occur. This can lead to saving the lives of animals and people, as well as protecting property. For instance, an area with a high frequency of deer and vehicle collisions is a good candidate for deer crossing and similar signage.

3. Inspect Your Vehicle for Damage

When it’s safe to move around your vehicle, get out and look for damage. Large animals are capable of causing serious damage to the body of your car, including dents or damage to your bumper.

Keep in mind that an impact with an animal could cause damage to interior structures or systems as well. Consider taking your car to a reputable auto repair shop after hitting an animal to make sure there’s no damage below the surface

4. Take Photos of the Accident

It’s usually a good idea to document the scene of the accident, even if your car doesn’t show damage. Take pictures of the area around the accident and make notes on what happened before, during, and after hitting the animal.

Be sure to get clear pictures of any damage to your vehicle, such as broken lights, mirrors, or dented bumpers.

5. Avoid Approaching the Animal

If the animal you hit is hurt but not killed, your first impulse might be to see if you can help it. However, as difficult as it is to watch an injured animal struggle, it’s much safer to keep your distance. You should never try to approach an injured animal after a roadway accident. You could end up putting yourself in danger.

Instead, contact animal control for wild animals or a local veterinary office or rescue organization for domestic pets. This not only gives the injured creature a better chance of recovering but also keeps you safe from potential injury from the distressed animal.

6. Contact Your Insurance Company

If your car is damaged and you have applicable collision or comprehensive coverage, please get in touch with Wawanesa’s 24/7 claim service team to start your auto claim.

If your car is undrivable and you need a tow truck, our Claim Service team can assist you in arranging a tow related to your claim if you have comprehensive and/or collision coverage. Please contact the Claim Service team for further assistance.

If you don’t have this coverage but have purchased optional Roadside Assistance coverage, you should review the information on your Roadside Assistance card for help.

By contacting Wawanesa immediately, you will have a better chance of remembering all the important details of the accident.

Reducing Your Risk of Animal Accidents

The best way to reduce your chance of hitting an animal on the road is to practice defensive driving, especially at night. Be aware of your surroundings and the types of animals you might encounter on the road.

Driving on a narrow mountain road, for example, might increase your chance of seeing elk or deer. On the other hand, you’re probably more likely to encounter a dog in a residential area. Knowing which animals are more likely to be nearby could help you keep watch for them.

Remember, too, that most animals become more active in the early morning or evening. This is when many wild creatures look for food or move between their preferred habitats. If you drive during these hours, make sure to pay close attention to animal crossing signs and movement along the side of the road.

Will Insurance Cover Hitting an Animal?

You will most likely need comprehensive coverage for your policy to cover collisions with animals. Hitting a wild animal is covered under comprehensive coverage and is an optional addition to your car insurance that helps repair or replace your car from damage outside of your control.

The Type of Animal You Hit Can Affect Your Claim

Wildlife has no owners. There is no other party to sue. That’s not the case with other types of animals, such as pets and livestock. Hitting the latter can cause even more damage than striking a deer. For instance, a horse may weigh 1,000 pounds or more, while the average cow weighs in at about 1,100 pounds.

Most communities have leash laws making it illegal to let dogs run loose. In some cases, the pet owner may prove responsible for your insurance claim. However, dogs and cats seldom cause serious damage to a vehicle.

Livestock owners generally must keep their animals secured by fencing so they can’t wander onto roadways. They could be liable for your losses if their fencing was damaged or inadequate. Remember that fencing is not required in some situations, such as open ranges.

While pet and livestock owners generally do not have grounds to sue the driver who struck their animal, there are exceptions. If the driver was speeding, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or otherwise breaking the law at the time of the incident, they may prove liable. Livestock have a value based on their weight and breeding. However, if the driver did not break any rules on the road at the time of the collision, they should not have to worry about claims against them by the pet or livestock owner.