Colliding with an animal on the road is something plenty of drivers experience, especially outside the city or in areas with active wildlife crossings. Unlike an accident involving another car, this comes with its own specific set of questions: from whether you need to call the police, to how it affects your insurance. Here's how to handle it.

Are you required to stop

In most cases, hitting an animal that damages your car, or injures or kills the animal, calls for stopping. This is similar to general accident requirements.

  • Stopping is primarily about assessing whether the situation is safe. The animal might still be alive and dangerous (especially a large wild animal), or it could be a hazard to other drivers by remaining on the road;
  • If the animal is clearly domestic and its owner is nearby, stopping lets you resolve things on the spot, which is often in everyone's interest;
  • Continuing to drive without stopping, especially after significant vehicle damage, risks missing a serious problem, like radiator damage, that only shows up further down the road.

First steps after the collision

  1. Turn on your hazards and, if you can safely stop, pull onto the shoulder without blocking traffic;
  2. Assess whether there's any risk to you or other drivers. An animal on the road, especially a large one, is a serious hazard for oncoming vehicles;
  3. If the animal is alive and aggressive (relevant for large wild animals), don't approach it. Wait for specialized help;
  4. Photograph the scene and the damage to your car. This will be useful for any documentation later, more so if you plan to file an insurance claim.

Hitting a wild animal

Collisions with wild animals, deer, boars, elk, happen especially often on rural highways, in wooded areas, and during dusk or nighttime driving.

  • Hitting a large wild animal can cause significant damage, potentially leaving the car undriveable, and in that case, you'll need a tow;
  • In some regions, hitting certain protected wildlife species requires notifying the relevant wildlife or forestry authorities. Check your local requirements;
  • If the animal died at the scene and you're not sure who to report it to, calling the general police line usually points you to the right next steps.
Important: swerving hard to avoid an animal is often more dangerous than the collision itself, especially at speed. Losing control can send you off the road or into a more serious accident involving other cars. Safety experts recommend braking in a straight line when possible instead of making a sudden maneuver.

If it's a domestic animal with an owner

  • If the owner is present at the scene, exchange contact information, just as you would with another driver in a standard accident;
  • Photograph the animal (if appropriate and it doesn't make things worse) and the damage to your car to document the circumstances;
  • Liability in these situations is governed by local law and often depends on whether the animal was leashed or under the owner's control in a permitted area;
  • If the owner isn't present but there's reason to believe the animal is domestic (a collar, a chip, a well-groomed appearance), report the incident to local authorities where possible for further handling.

How to assess the damage to your car

Once the immediate situation is under control, it's important to carefully check the car's condition before continuing to drive:

  • Inspect the front of the car: bumper, radiator, headlights. These are the areas most commonly damaged in this type of collision;
  • Check for coolant or oil leaks. Radiator damage is fairly common in animal collisions;
  • If you notice unusual noises, vibration, or warning lights, don't keep driving. Call a tow truck instead;
  • Even if there's no visible external damage but the impact felt significant, it's worth having the car checked at a shop soon. Some damage, like a bent suspension component, isn't always immediately obvious.

If the car can't continue on its own, we tow it on a flatbed to whichever shop or destination you need.

Does this count as an accident for insurance

  • In most cases, insurers treat an animal collision as a comprehensive coverage claim, similar to other types of vehicle damage;
  • Documentation requirements can differ from a standard accident involving another car. Confirm this with your insurer in advance, since police involvement isn't always required to file this type of claim;
  • Keep all photos and, if applicable, any official confirmation of the incident (like a report to local authorities). This speeds up the claims process.

Bottom line

Hitting an animal on the road calls for the same calm, methodical approach as a standard accident: stop, assess safety, document the damage, and contact the relevant authorities if needed. Swerving hard to avoid the animal is often more dangerous than the collision itself. Brake in a straight line when you can. And if the car is badly damaged and can't drive any further, we'll come and tow it, we'll come and carefully deliver it wherever it needs to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to call the police after hitting a wild animal if only the car was damaged?

This depends on local requirements and the severity of the situation. In many cases, police involvement isn't required for an insurance claim, but check with your insurer in advance.

What should I do if an injured animal is stuck on the road and blocking traffic?

If it poses a hazard to other drivers, report it to the relevant authorities (police or a specialized animal control service, if available in your area). Don't try to move a large or potentially aggressive animal yourself.

Does liability insurance cover damage from hitting an animal?

Usually not, since liability insurance covers your responsibility toward third parties rather than damage to your own car. Comprehensive coverage, if you have it, is more relevant here.

How can I avoid hitting an animal on a rural road?

Slow down in areas with wildlife warning signs, especially at dusk and at night, stay alert near forests and fields, and use your high beams where permitted and it won't blind oncoming traffic.

What if the animal ran off after the impact and there's no visible damage to the car?

It's still worth inspecting the car more closely as soon as you can. Some damage isn't immediately visible, especially if the impact felt significant.

Can hitting an animal be considered the driver's fault?

In most cases, an animal unexpectedly entering the road isn't considered the driver's fault if they were driving at a reasonable speed and couldn't have prevented the collision. But the specific assessment depends on the circumstances and local law.