When you hit an Animal on the Road

by Ronel Forbes

July 25, 2023

In the Philippines, it’s usual to see stray cats and dogs, whether in the cities or the countryside. Not all animals are blessed with a family or a place to call home. Other feline and furry pals were not kept in cages by animal shelters, but some of them do appear on neighborhood roadways, which can be hazardous for drivers.

In addition to harming the animal, hitting one can result in some car damage. Following are some recommendations on what to do if you ever struck a dog, cat, or any other animal on the road.

Be Calm.

Particularly if you’re driving a taller vehicle like an SUV or pickup truck, not everyone can see a cat or dog on the road. Therefore, the first thing you must do when you hear a thumping sound is to calm yourself and gather your thoughts. While doing that, safely maneuver your car to the side of the road and pull over. For the safety of other drivers, switch on your hazards.

Stay away from the animal.

If you hit an animal after stopping, especially if it’s still alive and struggling, stay away from it. Since witnessing an animal in pain is obviously sad, the best course of action is to contact a veterinarian or an animal shelter, who will take care of the injured animal.

Even though you feel bad for them, it’s still advised to stay away from the animal and get in touch with the appropriate authorities instead because there’s a minor possibility that it could bite you or cause you harm in another manner.

Verify to verify whether it was a pet.

You should attempt to get in touch with the pet’s owner if the animal is sporting a collar or any other form of distinguishable apparel. Depending on the accident’s specifics, you might not be responsible for any veterinarian expenses. Getting in touch with the owner as quickly as possible is crucial since you could have to pay out of pocket if you take the animal to the vet on your own.

Examine your car.

Your car’s body could get physically damaged if you hit a larger animal. On the other hand, smaller animals may also cause damage to your automobile, and depending on how bad the impact was, they may even become stuck on your car’s undercarriage.

The best course of action is to bring your car to a reputable repair facility to have it checked, whether or not you have noticed physical flaws. This will guarantee that your car will be in good shape even after the collision.

Take pictures of the mishap.

It is imperative to take pictures of the accident scene, particularly if other circumstances had a role in it. Along with the situation, photograph the damage to your car. When submitting an insurance claim to cover the expense of fixing your car, the ensuing pictures must be included.

Make a call to your insurance company.

Make careful to review your insurance coverage to see if the accident-related damage is covered before contacting your insurance provider. If you’re unsure, you can still phone them to find out if such accidents are covered by your insurance.

Remember that whether or not the following repairs are covered depends heavily on your motor car insurance policy. For your policy to cover collisions with animals, full coverage is almost certainly required.

Conclusion

It is always preferable to avoid an accident than to deal with one. Pay attention to road signs warning of nearby wildlife. Avoid sweeping turns and places you think maybe home to animals. If you detect an animal in your route, make noise, flash your lights, or effectively apply the brakes to avoid hitting it.

The intention is to frighten the animal into moving. You run the chance of going off the road or into oncoming traffic if you swerve to avoid the animal, which is probably more risky than simply hitting the animal.