Cars hitting animals is unfortunately a common occurrence, in both rural and residential areas.
These incidents not only pose significant risks to drivers and passengers but also cause a lot of uncertainty about what motorists should do after an accident involving an animal. Many motorists are unsure of their rights in such circumstances which is why we have created this simple blog to help advise you with practical steps on what to do if you happen to be unfortunately involved in an accident with an animal.
How Common are Animal-Related Car Accidents?
Animal-related car accidents can happen at any time so drivers must be vigilant. Smaller animals like badgers, foxes, and domestic pets also contribute to the statistics, often darting into the road unexpectedly.
In Northern Ireland, there were 23 car accidents caused by an animal on the carriageway in 2023 (other than a dog) according to the latest PSNI report.
What Should I Do After Hitting an Animal With My Car?
- Safety First: Ensure the safety of all passengers. Pull over to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and assess the situation. Avoid abrupt movements that could lead to further accidents.
- Check for Injuries: Administer first aid to any passengers/drivers if necessary and call emergency services if there are any serious injuries.
- Assess the Animal: Approach the animal with caution. Injured animals can be unpredictable and dangerous. If the animal is still alive and poses a threat, stay in your vehicle and call animal welfare. If safe to do so, check the animal for a tag, domestic pets should have a collar which will contain the owner’s contact details and farm animals will have a tag number which will identify the Registered Keeper.
- Report the Accident with the PSNI: Report the accident to the PSNI and depending on the level of injury of those in the car or the animal itself, you may need to obtain medical or veterinary assistance. We go into further detail on reporting accidents with the PSNI in more detail later in this blog.
- Assess your Vehicle for Damage: Note your exact locality and the point of impact on your vehicle.
- Assess the Area: Check your surroundings for open gates, damaged hedging or fencing, this will potentially be important for proving liability against the animal owner.
- Take Photographs: If you can, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, your vehicle’s location after the impact, the animal, including any identifying marks, tags or collars and any other evidence you can see such as open gates or damaged fencing.
Do I Need to Report Hitting an Animal After a Car Accident?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you must report an accident involving certain animals to the police by calling 101. These animals include:
• Dogs
• Horses
• Cattle
• Pigs
• Goats
• Sheep
• Donkeys and Mules
You must do this as quickly and as safely as you can.
Do I Need to Report Hitting a Cat?
If you hit a domestic animal such as a dog, you are legally required to report it to the police. While hitting a cat does not carry the same legal obligation, it is considered good practice to inform the owner or the local animal welfare. You can find contact information from the NI Direct website to report an animal to your local council areas.
Do I Need to Report Hitting Wild Animals?
There is no legal requirement to report hitting wild animals like deer or foxes, but you should inform the local council or animal rescue organisations to assist with any injured animals and to remove carcasses from the road to prevent further accidents.
Am I Responsible for Hitting an Animal With My Car?
Responsibility in animal accidents can be tricky and vary depending on the type of animal hit.
Wild Animals: Generally, drivers are not held liable for accidents involving wild animals unless negligence (such as speeding or distracted driving) can be proven.
Domestic Animals: If an accident involved a domestic animal, the owner may be held liable if the animal was not properly restrained or if it was roaming free due to the owner’s negligence.
Livestock: In rural areas, livestock like cows or horses can wander onto roads. The liability may depend on fencing and livestock containment, but farmers are generally responsible for ensuring their animals are securely contained.
Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting an Animal?
For accidents involving animals, there will usually be insurance in place by the owner to cover liabilities to others, but it is important to take swift action to identify the owner and ascertain if this is the case and what the prospects for recovery are. Animals classified as ‘dangerous’ are covered by strict liability and there is no need to prove negligence in such cases.
However, accidents involving animals are rarely completely straightforward which is why you need expert assistance.
Tips to Avoid Hitting Animals When Driving
To reduce the risk of accidents involving animals, consider these tips:
• Drive Carefully: Stay alert, especially in areas with wildlife crossing signs. Slow down during dawn and dusk when animals are most active, giving them plenty of room and being ready to stop.
• Use High Beams: When driving at night in rural areas, use high beams to spot animals from a distance, but switch to low beams if an animal is spotted to avoid startling it.
• Be Cautious When Using Your Horn: Do not scare animals by sounding your horn, revving your engine, or accelerating rapidly once you have passed them. Look out for animals being led, driven, or ridden on the road and take extra care. Remember, in built-up areas you cannot use your horn between 11pm and 7am.
• Keep Your Speed Down: Keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads. If a road is blocked by a herd of animals, stop, and switch off your engine until they have left the road.
Car accidents involving animals can and do happen on our roads in Northern Ireland. Always prioritise safety and expect the unexpected on the roads.
Northern Ireland’s number 1 personal injury experts can help you.
Established over 20 years and ranking as NI’s Number 1 Personal Injury Solicitors for the last decade, JMK Solicitors assist clients all over Northern Ireland. If you have suffered a personal injury, been in a car accident, or had an accident at work, contact our team for a free consultation.
Call us today on 028 9032 0222 or email us law@jmksolicitors.com.
