13/08/2010
Hitting a deer while driving can be a deeply unsettling and potentially dangerous experience. With as many as 74,000 deer killed or injured in collisions on UK roads annually, and over 400 car occupants sustaining injuries in such incidents, understanding how to react is crucial. Deer, due to their considerable size, pose a greater risk than other roadkill, often causing significant damage to vehicles and considerable shock to drivers. Knowing the correct procedures can help ensure your safety, minimise vehicle damage, and address the welfare of the animal.
Immediate Steps After Hitting a Deer
When the unexpected happens, maintaining a calm and clear head is paramount. Your initial actions can significantly impact the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users.
1. Stop Safely and Secure the Scene
As soon as you realise you've hit a deer, your first priority is to pull over to a safe location. This might mean finding a lay-by, a quiet side road, or simply moving as far left as possible on the carriageway. Once stopped, immediately engage your hazard warning lights. This alerts other drivers to your presence and the potential obstruction, reducing the risk of further accidents, especially in low light conditions.
2. Prioritise Human Safety: Check for Injuries
Deer are large, powerful animals, and a collision can have a significant impact on your vehicle and its occupants. Before anything else, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Even if the impact felt minor, whiplash or other injuries might not be immediately apparent. If anyone is injured, seek medical attention without delay. For serious injuries, call an ambulance immediately. Your health and the health of your passengers are always the top concern.
3. Do Not Approach or Touch the Deer
It’s a natural instinct to want to help an injured animal, but it is vitally important that you do not approach or touch the deer. An injured deer can be unpredictable, distressed, and potentially dangerous. They may try to flee, lash out, or cause further injury to themselves or you. Observe the deer's condition from a safe distance if it's safe to do so, but under no circumstances should you attempt to move it or provide aid yourself.
4. Report the Incident to the Police
While you are not legally required to report hitting a deer in all circumstances, if the animal is injured, deceased, or poses a hazard on or near the carriageway, you should always contact the police. They will be able to dispatch appropriate personnel, such as a local deer liaison officer or wildlife authority, who are trained to handle injured animals and safely remove them from the road. This also ensures that the incident is officially logged, which can be helpful for insurance purposes later.
5. Document the Scene for Insurance Purposes
If it is safe to do so and does not put you at risk, take photographs of the scene. This includes images of the deer (from a distance), the location of the incident, and any damage to your vehicle. These visual records can be invaluable when making an insurance claim, providing concrete evidence of the incident and the extent of the damage. Note the time, date, and exact location of the collision.
6. Assess Your Vehicle's Safety
Before attempting to drive away, conduct a thorough check of your vehicle for any damage. Pay particular attention to the lights, tyres, and engine. Even seemingly minor damage to the bumper could conceal more serious issues beneath, such as radiator damage or structural compromise. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, do not attempt to continue your journey. Arrange for recovery services if necessary.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company Promptly
Regardless of how minor the damage appears, it is crucial to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after hitting a deer. There are several reasons for this:
- Policy Requirements: Many insurance policies stipulate that you must report any accident or incident, regardless of whether you intend to make a claim. Failing to report could potentially jeopardise your cover or future claims.
- Claims Process: If you do decide to make a claim for the damage, your insurer will need to be informed promptly to initiate the claims process. Delays can complicate matters.
- Future Issues: Damage that seems minor initially can sometimes lead to more serious, underlying issues later on. Reporting the incident creates a clear record, which can be vital if additional problems arise down the line that are linked to the collision.
Do You Need to Report a Deer Collision?
In the UK, unlike incidents involving certain domestic animals, there isn't a specific legal requirement to report hitting a deer to the police unless it causes an obstruction or danger on the road. However, as previously mentioned, if the deer is injured or dead on the carriageway, it is strongly advised to call the police. They will coordinate with specialists to ensure the deer is safely removed from the path of traffic.
Beyond immediate safety and legal considerations, there are also ongoing studies aimed at gathering a comprehensive picture of traffic accidents involving deer. If you have information about a deer road casualty or a deer-related traffic collision, you can contribute to these efforts by reporting it on the Deer Aware website. This data helps improve road safety and deer conservation efforts.
Will Your Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?
The extent to which your car insurance policy will cover damage from hitting a deer depends entirely on the type of cover you have. It's essential to understand the differences:
| Insurance Type | Coverage for Deer Collisions |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Insurance | Typically covers damage to your vehicle resulting from accidents involving animals, including deer. This is the most extensive level of cover and is highly recommended if you drive in areas prone to wildlife. Always check your specific policy terms and conditions. |
| Third Party, Fire, and Theft Insurance | This policy usually does NOT cover damage to your own vehicle if you hit a deer or other animals. It primarily covers damage to third-party vehicles, fire damage, and theft of your own vehicle. |
| Third Party Only Insurance | This is the minimum level of cover legally required in the UK. It does NOT cover damage to your own vehicle, including incidents involving animals. It only covers damage or injury to other people or their property. |
If you have Comprehensive insurance, contact your provider immediately to report the accident and begin the claims process. Be prepared to provide all details of the incident, including any photographs of the damage you took at the scene.
How to Avoid Deer Collisions
While it's impossible to predict every instance of a deer running into the road, understanding deer behaviour and adopting proactive driving habits can significantly reduce your risk of a collision.
1. Be Extra Vigilant in Known Areas
Pay close attention to 'deer' or 'wild animal' road signs, especially in rural or wooded areas. These signs are placed in locations where deer crossings are common. Deer can appear almost instantly, and their natural camouflage makes them incredibly difficult to spot until they are very close. They do not follow road safety rules!
2. Expect More Than One
If you see one deer cross the road, be prepared for more to follow. Deer often travel in groups, so if you spot a single animal, it's highly likely there are others nearby or just behind it. Be ready to slow down further or stop.
3. Use Your Headlights Wisely
When driving in the dark, use your high-beam headlights to maximise your visibility. This allows you to spot animals on or near the road from a greater distance. However, if you see a deer, dip your headlights immediately. High beams can 'freeze' a deer in your path, making it more likely to remain stationary rather than moving away.
4. Resist the Urge to Swerve Excessively
It's a natural reaction to want to swerve to avoid an animal, but for larger animals like deer, this can be more dangerous than the collision itself. Don't over-react or swerve excessively. It is often safer to brake firmly and smoothly in a straight line, rather than swerving or braking hard to try and avoid a deer. Swerving could lead to you losing control of your vehicle, colliding with another vehicle, or hitting a tree or other roadside obstacle. If you swerve and miss the deer but hit something else, it can be very difficult to prove that the deer was ever there for insurance purposes.
5. Understand Peak Collision Times
Deer collisions are not random; they tend to occur more frequently at specific times of the year and day:
- Seasonal Peaks: There are two main periods of increased risk:
- October to November: This is the rutting season, when deer are focused on breeding and are less cautious.
- May to June: Young deer often disperse from breeding areas during this time, exploring new territories and crossing roads more frequently.
- Daily Peaks: The riskiest times of day are around sunrise and from sunset to midnight. Deer are most active during these twilight hours.
Hitting Other Animals: What You Need to Know
While this article focuses on deer, it's important to understand your obligations if you hit other animals on the road in the UK.
Animals You MUST Report to the Police
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you are legally obligated to stop and report an accident to the police if you hit certain animals. This applies whether the animal is killed or injured. Failing to do so can be a criminal offence. These animals include:
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cows
- Pigs
- Sheep
- Goats
- Donkeys and Mules
If you hit one of these animals, you must report it as quickly as possible. If you find a dead animal (wild or domestic) that isn't causing an immediate hazard, you can report it to your local council for removal.
What to Do If You Hit a Dog
Hitting a dog is covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988, meaning you are legally required to report the incident to the police. This can be a very distressing experience. Follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Panic can exacerbate the situation.
- Call for Help: Contact your regular vet, a 24/7 emergency clinic, or an animal charity like the RSPCA (England/Wales) or Scottish SPCA.
- Report the Incident: Inform the police immediately.
- Handle with Care: An injured dog will be scared. Do not move the dog unless absolutely necessary, as you could worsen injuries. If you must move it, do so as gently as possible.
- Keep Warm: Use blankets or coats to keep the dog warm while waiting for help.
Even if the dog appears unharmed, it's always best to take it to a vet for a check-up, as internal injuries might not be visible.
What to Do If You Hit a Cat
Currently, there is no legal requirement to report hitting a cat to the police in the UK. However, showing compassion is always encouraged:
- Stop Safely: Pull over to a safe location.
- Assess the Situation: Check if the cat is alive and appears seriously injured.
- Approach Carefully: Injured cats can be unpredictable. Avoid picking them up if possible. If necessary, use a towel or blanket to protect yourself.
- Contact a Vet: Call your nearest vet or emergency animal clinic.
- Look for Identification: Check for a collar with contact information or a microchip (which a vet can scan).
- Try to Find the Owner: Knock on doors in the immediate area.
- Report to Local Authorities: Depending on your location, you might need to report a deceased or severely injured cat to local authorities for removal.
Even if a cat seems fine, internal injuries can be present. If you can, stay with the cat until help arrives or the owner is located. If the cat is deceased, try to identify the owner if possible, perhaps by posting a description in local online community groups.
General Tips to Avoid Hitting Any Animal
Prevention is always better than cure. By being a vigilant and responsible driver, you can significantly reduce your chances of an animal collision:
- Watch Your Speed: Adhering to speed limits and reducing your speed, especially in rural or wooded areas, gives you more time to react to unexpected appearances.
- Keep an Eye Out for Warning Signs: Always be aware of road signs indicating the presence of wildlife.
- Be Alert at Dusk and Dawn: These are prime times for animal activity. Slow down and increase your vigilance.
- Use Your Headlights Properly: High beams can help you spot animals at night, but always dip them for oncoming traffic and when you see an animal to avoid blinding it.
- Be Cautious in Residential Areas: Pets can dart into the road unexpectedly.
- Consider Your Location: Rural roads and areas with dense vegetation or water sources are more likely to have wildlife.
- Scan the Road Ahead: Don't just focus on the immediate area in front of your bonnet. Look far ahead to anticipate potential hazards.
- If You See an Animal, Don't Panic:Avoid sudden manoeuvres. Brake firmly and smoothly, gradually slowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to report hitting a deer in the UK?
A: You are not legally required to report hitting a deer unless it is injured or deceased on the carriageway and poses a hazard to traffic. In such cases, you should contact the police who will arrange for specialists to attend to the animal and clear the road. You can also report deer casualties to the Deer Aware website for data collection purposes.
Q: Will my car insurance cover damage from hitting a deer?
A: Coverage depends on your policy type. Comprehensive car insurance typically covers damage from hitting animals, including deer. Third Party, Fire, and Theft, or Third Party Only policies usually do not cover damage to your own vehicle in such incidents. Always check your specific policy documents.
Q: Is it safer to hit a deer or swerve to avoid it?
A: Generally, it is safer to brake firmly and in a straight line rather than swerving excessively to avoid a deer. Swerving can lead to losing control of your vehicle, colliding with other vehicles, or hitting roadside obstacles, which can result in more severe injuries or damage than hitting the deer itself.
Q: What if the deer runs off after I hit it?
A: If the deer runs off, do not attempt to pursue it. Follow the immediate steps of stopping safely, checking for injuries, and assessing your vehicle. If you believe the deer is injured and could pose a future hazard or is suffering, you can still report the incident to the police or Deer Aware with the location details.
Q: Are vet bills for an injured animal covered by my car insurance?
A: No, typically your car insurance policy will not cover vet bills for an injured animal you hit. If the animal is a domestic pet, its owner's pet insurance might cover the costs. For wild animals like deer, the responsibility for their welfare usually falls to wildlife authorities or specialists.
If you want to read more articles similar to Deer Accident UK: Your Essential Guide, you can visit the Automotive category.