What to do if you hit an animal on the road

Hitting an animal with your car can be very upsetting, as well as potentially dangerous to you as the driver. It's natural to feel confused and worried after hitting an animal, and you might not know what to do next. 

Let's take a look at what steps you may need to take if you hit an animal while driving.

What to do if you hit a deer while driving?

Hitting a deer while driving can be a very scary experience. Here are the steps you should take if it happens:

• Pull over and turn your hazards on. The first thing you should do is pull over to a safe location and turn on your hazard lights. You should then check for any injuries to yourself and other passengers. Seek medical help if you're injured.
• Assess the deer's condition. If you can, try to assess the deer's condition without approaching it. It's not a good idea to approach the deer, as they can be unpredictable, especially if injured and scared.
• Call the police and report the incident. If possible, take photos of the scene. But only if you can do so without approaching the deer.
• Call wildlife authorities. If you can see that the deer is injured, contact wildlife authorities for help.
• Check your vehicle. It's important not to drive if your car is damaged. Look for problems with the headlights, tyres, or engine in particular.
• Let your car insurance company know. Even if the damage seems minor, you should contact your insurer to report the incident.

It's worth noting that you should never try to move a deer by yourself unless absolutely necessary. You might hurt the deer further if you try to move it, or the deer might panic and injure you.

What animals do I need to report if they're run down?

For certain animals, you must stop and report the accident to the police if you hit them with your car. These include:

• Dogs
• Horses
• Cows
• Pigs
• Sheep
• Goats
• Donkeys and mules

It's important that you stop and report the accident as quickly as you can, whether the animal is killed or not.

If you find a dead animal, you can report it to your local council. This includes wild animals, as well as domestic pets like cats and dogs. 

Can I brake suddenly to avoid hitting an animal?

When something runs out into the road ahead of us, it can be our first instinct to hit the brakes.This can be extremely dangerous to you and other road users though.

You could lose control of your vehicle, or another car might crash into you.

Most experts advise to try to brake firmly but smoothly. Apply steady pressure to the brake pedal to slow down without losing control.

If there's enough space after you've slowed down, you may be able to steer around the animal while keeping in your lane.

The size of the animal will make a difference. For small animals, a sudden brake might be enough.

But for larger animals, swerving might be necessary, depending on the situation.

It's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings. If you're in an area known to have wildlife, reduce your speed. 

What to do if you run over a dog

Dogs are covered in the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means you must report the incident to the police. And failing to do so will count as a criminal offence.

Hitting a dog can be an incredibly upsetting and stressful experience. If it happens to you, it's important to stay as calm as possible and follow these steps:

• Stay calm. Try not to panic as this can stress an injured dog further. 
• Call for help. Call your regular vet or a 24/7 emergency clinic. You can also contact an animal charity, such as the RSPCA in England or Wales. Or the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Scotland.
• Report the incident. You are legally obligated to report hitting a domestic animal to the police. 
• Handle the dog with care. The dog is likely to be scared and confused, so handle them with care. If possible, try not to move the dog as you might make their injuries worse. If absolutely necessary, try to move them as gently as you can.
• Keep the dog warm. Use blankets or coats to keep the dog warm while you wait for help.

Even if the dog seems okay, you should still take them to a vet. They might have injuries that aren't visible, and a vet may ask questions about how the dog was hit.

They may also want to know how the dog is responding, and give any further advice.

What to do if you run over a cat

Another upsetting incident might be hitting a cat. As it stands, you don't need to contact the police if you hit a cat with your car.

But it's always worth showing compassion by trying to find the owners or  contacting a vet.

• Stop safely. Pull over to a safe location.
• Assess the situation. Check the cat is alive and if it appears seriously injured.
• Approach carefully. As with any injured animal, they're likely to be scared. An injured cat might try to scratch or bite, so be careful when approaching them. Avoid picking them up if possible as this can make injuries worse. If it's absolutely necessary, pick them up with a towel or blanket.
• Contact a vet. Call your nearest vet or emergency animal clinic straight away.
• Look for identification. It's a good idea to check if the cat has a collar with contact information on. They might also have a microchip the vet can check.
• Try to find the owner. If possible, try to locate the owner of the cat. You might want to try knocking on doors in the area where the accident happened.
• Report to local authorities. Depending on your location, you may need to report the incident to local authorities if the cat has died or is badly injured.

A cat might seem unharmed initially, but it could have internal injuries that aren't visible to you. If you can, try to stay with the cat until help arrives or you've located its owners. 

If the cat is clearly deceased, you may not need to take it to the vet, but still try to identify the owners if possible.

If you're having trouble finding the owners, you could try posting a description of the cat online. You can find local communities and groups on social media where the owner might see it.

When to contact the local authority if you hit an animal

If the animal is one of those that requires you to contact the police, you should do so as soon as possible.

If the animal is not included in the Road Traffic Act 1988, by law,  you don't have to report it. You might want to report it anyway though, as the animal may need veterinary attention. It might also be dangerous for other road users if they swerve or brake to avoid it.

You should also contact local authorities if you can't find the owner of the animal.

Am I covered by my car insurance if I hit an animal?

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you should be insured if you hit an animal. It's always best to tell your insurer if you hit an animal with your car, even if you're not making a claim.

The terms and conditions on your insurance policy might say that you need to report all incidents.

Hitting a large animal can badly damage your vehicle, and most comprehensive policies should offer cover.

Vet bills from an accident aren't typically covered by car insurance. But they might be covered by the owner's pet insurance.

How to avoid hitting an animal while driving

Hitting an animal is a nasty experience that can leave you feeling shaken. But what can we do to avoid it happening in the first place?

• Watch your speed: Following speed-limits and slowing down can give you more time to react.
• Keep an eye out for warning signs: Look out for signs that indicate wildlife is common in the area, like deer-crossing signs.
• Be alert at dusk and dawn: These times are when animals are most likely to be active on the road. Be aware of the road around you and slow down if necessary.
• Use your headlights properly: If you can see the animal coming, you've got more time to react. High beams can help you spot animals on the road ahead at night. Make sure you dip your headlights when approaching oncoming cars though.
• Be cautious in residential areas: Pets might run into the road in residential areas, so make sure you're being extra vigilant if you're driving through.
• Consider your location: Rural roads with wooded areas are more likely to have animals crossing. Scan the road ahead: It might seem obvious, but there are many things to distract us, especially in modern cars. It's also important to look further ahead, rather than just focusing on the immediate area in front of your car.
• If you see an animal, don't panic: Avoid any sudden manoeuvres if an animal appears on the road ahead. If possible, try to slow down gradually.