Imagine you are stuck on the side of the road after accidentally hitting an animal, what is the first thing you would do? Depending on if there are witnesses or not, some people may simply drive away. However, this is not the right approach. Here we discuss ways to be prepared beforehand if you are to find yourself in this predicament someday.
Make sure you are safely out of the way
In a situation where you hit an animal while driving, the very first thing you should do is make sure you and all passengers in your car are alright. If you are on a highway or busy road, pull over off to the side and put your hazard lights on as soon as possible to alert other drivers behind you.
Call the Police Or Animal Control
A good rule of thumb just like any other accident is to alert the authorities to report what happened. You can’t control if an animal runs out in front of you, however, that does not excuse you from not being alert to warning signs you pass on the road. At night especially, use extreme caution when driving in rural areas and through canyon roads where you are more likely to run into wild animals.
Take photos and assess the damage
Capture photographs of the damage while keeping a safe distance from the animal, because it may be likely that the animal is stunned but not dead. You never know when the animal may get back up, so if the animal feels threatened, they will probably be more aggressive. Additionally, if there is severe damage to your car you may need emergency roadside assistance to come and haul your car away.
Refrain from touching the animal
For some people, it may be difficult to not help an injured animal, but you should never touch it especially if it’s a wild animal. Do not attempt to transport an injured animal, just let animal control handle that too. It is always best to let the experts handle situations involving wild animals. The police often know the people to call on if a larger animal such as a deer needs to be removed and relocated as well.
Things to keep in mind if you hit a dog or cat
If there is no identification, the police will need to know the situation. They can help you know the next steps to help the pet, such as taking it to a vet. Even after all that you are still unable to find an owner, put up signs and inform your local community to spread awareness and to help you find the owner.
Open an insurance Claim
Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible to report the details of the accident to them. Tell them about any injuries that happened to you or passengers in your car. Many insurance companies have apps that make it easy to open a claim and upload pictures to verify the damage. The sooner you report the incident, the sooner it can be resolved.
Call a Wrecker Service if Necessary
Depending on the severity of the accident, a wrecker service may be required. Don’t try to drive in a vehicle that’s been damaged. If you’re needing roadside assistance in the Tyler TX area, Hi-Way Towing is here to help!
