This article looks at what you should do if you hit an animal with your car, including when you need to report these types of accidents.
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What To Do If You Hit An Animal With Your Car?
Unfortunately, the sad reality is that an estimated 30 million birds and over one million animals are killed each year on UK roads, with devastating consequences for both wildlife and drivers.
While every road traffic accident can be distressing, hitting and injuring or killing an animal can have a particularly deep emotional impact. If you are unable to prevent an accident, here is a step-by-step guide on what to do if you hit an animal with your car.
Table of Contents
Stop your vehicle
If an animal jumps in front of your car while driving or you see it on the road, you should avoid swerving or braking suddenly if there are other vehicles on the road. If you cause an accident, you may be held liable for damages, even if you were trying to dodge an animal.
If you hit an animal while driving, stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so, turn off the engine, and turn your hazard lights on. Try to stay calm and check if anyone in the car, including yourself, is injured and also check the animal from a safe distance, without trying to move it.
Inform the local authorities
You should immediately call the police if anyone has been injured or if you hit one of the following animals on the road:
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cattle
- Pigs
- Sheep
- Goats
- Mules or donkeys
As mentioned above, you should not attempt to help or move the animal, as this could put both you and them in danger. If the animal is injured and you want to help them, you could also call one of these helpline numbers:
- The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) can be contacted by dialling 0300 1234 999 in England and Wales.
- The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by dialling 03000 999 999 in Scotland.
- The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by dialling 028 3025 1000 in Northern Ireland.
Remember that while it is not a legal requirement, you should always report a dead animal on the road to your local council. You can also move the dead body from the carriageway if it is safe to do so.
Gather evidence
Evidence is always essential when there’s been an accident, even if it involves a collision with an animal. You should document what happened in as much detail as possible and take photos of any damage to your car and the injured animal.
It is also a good idea to check your surroundings for clues about how the animal might have gotten on the road, such as an open gate or a hole in a fence. If there are witnesses, ask them politely for their names and contact details.
This information will be essential for a police report and a possible claim with your insurer or an animal injury claim against the owner.
Inform the owner of a pet
If you hit a pet and the owner is nearby, remain calm and explain to them what happened. Provide your name and contact information, and also request the owner’s details. Be empathetic but avoid admitting any fault for the accident, as this could complicate liability issues.
If there is no owner in sight and it is safe to do so, check for a tag or collar that may have the owner’s phone number on it. If you can’t find the owner’s contact information, the police or the RSPCA may be able to help locate the owner.
You can also take the injured animal to a local vet and ask them to verify whether the animal has a microchip so that you can track the owner.
Sadly, it is estimated that over 80,000 dogs and 200,000 cats are hit by a car on UK roads every year. Don’t forget that you are required by law to contact the police if you hit a dog. While this legal duty does not apply if you hit a cat, it is kind and strongly encouraged to stop and help the animal and try to locate its owner.
Contact your insurance provider
If you hit an animal while driving, it is always a good idea to report the accident to your insurer, even if you do not intend to make a claim. You should provide them with all the details of the incident, including evidence such as photographs or dashcam footage.
Colliding with an animal may also cause severe injuries to car occupants. In fact, deer accidents alone are responsible for over 500 personal injuries each year, of which over 100 are severe or fatal.
You may also experience damage to your car, such as your grille, headlights or windscreen. Your insurer may cover your damages, especially if you have comprehensive car insurance. However, not reporting the accident may make you liable for costs if another party files a claim against you later.
Is it illegal to hit an animal and drive away?
If you hit any of the animals mentioned above (dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, mules and donkeys), it is a criminal offence to drive away. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that you must stop at the scene and report the accident to the police, whether the animal survives or not.
The same law does not apply if you hit a cat or if you hit a deer, fox, badger or another wild animal. While it is always best to stop and help the animal, contact the authorities and ensure that it does not pose a danger to other drivers, you are not legally liable to do so.
Will hitting an animal with your car affect your insurance?
If you, your car, or any passengers are injured in an accident involving an animal, you could make a car accident claim with your insurer if you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. Third-party insurance would not cover the damage to your own vehicle from hitting an animal.
Unfortunately, most insurers will consider this an at-fault claim, even if you were not responsible for the animal’s presence on the road, as there is no third party from which they can reclaim any costs. This means you are likely to lose your no claims bonus, unless it is protected, which will lead to an increase in your premium.
How can I avoid hitting an animal with my car?
Animal collisions are worryingly common, especially on rural roads and A-roads. They happen most often at dusk, dawn and nighttime, when visibility is poor and animals are more active. There are a few things you can do to lower the chances of an accident:
- Always drive with caution, at or below the speed limit.
- Take extra care at night, during dusk, and during dawn.
- Pay close attention to animal warning signs.
- When suitable, use full beams to increase your range of vision and spot animals from afar.
- Dip your full beams if there is a deer on the road, as they could cause it to freeze.
- If you see a deer, be aware that others are likely to follow it.
- Avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as using your phone or navigation system.
- Turn on your hazards to warn other drivers of the danger ahead.
- Avoid sudden braking and swerving if there are other cars on the road.
Knowing how to reduce the risk of such accidents can save animal lives, prevent severe injuries to people, and avoid millions of pounds in damage to motor vehicles.
