What do I do immediately after hitting an animal with my car?
You should treat it like any other collision on the road, so pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and put your hazard lights on. After turning off your engine make sure no one in the car has been hurt before exiting the car safely. Check for damage to your car which could make it dangerous to drive and assess which kind of animal you have hit and what kind of condition it is in before phoning the authorities.
Do I have to inform the police if I hit an animal with my car?
Yes, in certain cases. If you hit the following animals you must, by law, inform the police:
Dog
Horse
Cow/cattle
Sheep
Pig
Goat
Donkey
What do if I hit a wild animal?
The law does not require you to call the police if you hit a wild animal such as a deer, badger, fox or pheasant. But you should inform an animal charity like the RSPCA because they could save the animal’s life.
What do I do if the animal I hit is still alive but injured?
Again, you should inform the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and explain what has happened. They will be able to advise you on the best action depending on the situation. Injured animals can become aggressive and desperate so keep your distance unless you are sure it’s safe to approach.
What do I do if I spot an animal which is already dead on the road?
If an animal is already dead when you encounter it on the road you should inform the local council, whose job it is to remove the animal safely and prevent it from causing any accidents.
What do I do if I hit someone’s pet dog or cat?
The law states that you must phone the police after hitting a dog, but not a cat. If the animal is alive then you should phone the RSPCA. If you wish to try to move the animal and deem it safe to do so then you should get it to a vet. You will not be responsible for any vet bills. Finally, if the animal has contact details for the owner on its collar then you may want to inform them, but you are not legally obliged to do so.
Will I be able to claim against my insurance for the damage caused to my car by hitting an animal?
Yes, but it will be assessed like any other claim. You should inform your insurer as soon as possible and they will ask you for an account of what happened. In some cases the insurer may deem the accident to be the fault of the animal’s owner.
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