Animal Crossing the Street Car Accident Lawyer

Any animal that enters a roadway can potentially cause an accident. There are an estimated 300,000 crashes involving wildlife reported each year. However, researchers predict that the number of actual crashes is much higher due to underreporting, particularly of minor accidents. This figure only considers wild animals and does not take into account the number of domestic pets or livestock that are struck each year.

Animals can cause several different types of accidents. They may be single-car crashes or involve multiple vehicles. The most common types of accidents involving animals crossing the street include:

• Swerving into another lane or oncoming traffic
• Swerving and leaving the road
• Striking the animal
• Striking a stationary object (guardrail, fence, building, etc.)

Each type of accident comes with unique risks and liability concerns. Drivers who experience a crash because of animals crossing the road should take steps to understand the implications of the accident.

Animals crossing the street pose unique challenges for drivers. First, they are often unpredictable, which makes it hard to develop an appropriate response to an animal on the roadway. Additionally, many run onto the road when drivers do not have sufficient time to react appropriately. This is true of both domestic and wild animals.

Additionally, there are numerous consequences that could result from hitting an animal. This type of crash can cause physical injuries, damage to cars and personal property and emotional trauma. You may miss work to make medical appointments or because your car is inoperable.

Property Damage

You do not have to strike a deer or elk to raise concerns about vehicle damage. Even a small animal can cause significant damage to a car. If your insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, this will likely cover costs associated with sitting an animal in the street. However, you may want to consider other options before filing a claim with your insurance provider.

Since pet owners are responsible for keeping their animals under reasonable control, they may be responsible for costs associated with property damage if a pet is struck. Examples of property damage include repairs or replacement of a vehicle and damage to surrounding property if a car hits a stationary object.

Personal Injury

One of the most serious and common effects of hitting an animal is personal injury. This happens from the initial impact, a secondary impact after hitting the animal or swerving to avoid an animal and a vehicle leaving the road, hitting another object or turning over.

Liability can vary depending on the situation in which an accident occurs. For example, if a domestic animal causes an accident, there may be laws regulating whether that animal should have been restrained or under its owner’s control. On the other hand, drivers who strike livestock animals in open range areas may be liable not just for their own injuries or damages to their vehicles, but also for any injuries to the animal in question. This is common in many places in Arizona and highlights why it is so important to understand local laws.

If you have struck an animal, it is important to speak with an accident attorney who is knowledgeable about animal-related cases. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system, determine fault and liability and seek compensation if warranted.

Car accident injuries can easily result in the need for emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery and missed work. Examples of injuries that commonly occur in accidents where animals are struck include:

• Bone fractures
• Spine and neck injuries
• Concussions

Animal-Related Crash Fatalities

There were 164 deaths caused by animal-related crashes in 2021, which is down significantly from 202 in 2020. Interestingly, the initial impact of hitting an animal was the leading cause of death in almost two-thirds of animal-related fatalities. Vehicle rollovers and hitting fixed objects after first striking an animal accounted for 16% and 9% of deaths, respectively.

Drivers may encounter animals on the roadway at any time of year, both day and night. However, when it comes to collisions with deer and other wild animals, the Insurance Information Institute reports that accidents are most likely in the summer months of July through September while information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that, in 2021, fatalities from animal-related collisions were most likely to occur between October and December.

There are several reasons for this timing, including the natural seasonal movement patterns of wild animals. For example, in Arizona, the beginning of the summer monsoon brings much-needed water that enables and encourages wildlife to travel greater distances. Mating and hunting seasons likely also factor into deer-related accidents in many areas.

The majority of deer and elk-related car accidents happen at night. The two hours after dusk have the highest probability of striking a deer. Research shows that during that time period, drivers are more than 14 times more likely to strike a deer than in the two hours before sunrise. Many wild animals are most active at dusk and dawn, which is also the timeframe when most wildlife-related car accidents occur.

While the best way to avoid damage from hitting an animal crossing the street is to not hit it, avoiding a collision isn’t always possible. Also, in many cases, striking an animal is preferable to swerving and hitting another car or rolling your own. If you find yourself having struck an animal on the road, it is important to know what to do next.

Check for Injuries

Before you get out of your vehicle, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If you are seriously hurt, the best course of action may be to remain in your vehicle and call for help. However, if there are only minor injuries, you should follow local laws about moving vehicles from travel lanes. In many cases, drivers are required to clear the road after minor crashes with no serious injuries.

Secure the Scene

Once you establish that you and your passengers are not seriously hurt, you can start to check the accident scene for safety. Using hazard lights or road markers helps alert other drivers to your vehicle’s presence to avoid additional accidents.

Notify the Police

If you haven’t already, notify the local police about the accident. Let the dispatcher know if you need medical attention or just an officer to file a report. A police report is typically required in any accidents with injuries or significant property damage or when an animal is hit. When possible request a copy of the report to provide to your insurance agent.

Provide Care for the Animal

You may be required to notify a pet’s owner and provide medical care for injured animals where possible and appropriate. If you cannot contact an owner, notifying a community member or law enforcement officer may satisfy this requirement.

Call Your Insurance Company

Your liability coverage will pay for medical expenses related to hitting an animal. If your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage, you will want to file a claim for any damage to your car. File a claim as soon as possible to start the process. It is a good idea to provide your agent with a copy of the police report and any pictures or videos you took of the accident scene.

Speak With an Accident Attorney

It is also advisable to speak with an injury lawyer who has experience with accidents where animals were hit crossing the street. A free case evaluation can help you establish what steps to take next.

Hiring an attorney allows you to step away from insurance and legal claims and focus on your recovery. Experienced accident lawyers understand the complex laws and regulations governing accident cases and can help you navigate the process. A few of the tasks that experienced animal crossing the street accident lawyers help with include:

• Investigate the accident to establish a sequence of events
• Locate pet or livestock owners
• File claims with applicable insurance companies, whether that is your own auto insurance or a pet owner’s home policy
• Negotiate insurance settlements
• File legal claims to recover damages