One of the keys to gaining experience as a young driver is knowing what to do in unforeseen situations, such as a collision with a large animal. While this is a stressful experience, you can minimize your repair time at a body shop by knowing how to react. Below are several strategies to follow if you have an accident with an animal.

What Should You Do After Hitting a Large Animal While Driving?

1. Move Your Car

Immediately after hitting the animal, pull to the side of the road or another safe location, such as a parking lot. If you cannot move the vehicle, activate the hazard lights. Turning these on will signal your location to other drivers, allowing them to pass you carefully. If both the car and the animal are in the middle of the street, use road flares or reflective triangles to clearly mark the accident.

2. Contact the Police

Next, call 911 to inform the local police department about the accident and animal, especially if you are in the middle of the road and pose a risk to other drivers. Emergency services will arrive to provide medical attention to you and any passengers, as well as file a police report. This documentation provides proof of the incident for insurance purposes if your vehicle has serious damage and must go to a body shop.

3. Avoid the Animal

Do not get near the animal since it is likely injured and scared, and can bite or scratch you. Whether the animal is a domestic pet or wildlife, call the local animal control service to discuss how to proceed. If you hit a dog, use caution because even friendly pets can retaliate out of fear.

4. Document the Incident

Take pictures and videos of the vehicle, road, injuries, and animal to submit with your insurance claim. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information or ask them to state who they are and what they saw on video. Provide your carrier with this information to support your claim.

5. Request Towing Service

Call a local towing company to take the vehicle to a body shop. Never risk driving with issues such as broken lights, tire damage, or leaking fluid, as you can further damage the vehicle. Wait in your car if it is safe to do so, or somewhere nearby where other drivers can see you.

If you have an accident with a large animal, contact Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center. This body shop has been providing drivers throughout Lincoln, NE, with dent removal, Unibody frame repair, auto body painting, and hail damage services for 30 years. Call (402) 474-7355 to schedule an appointment. Visit the body shop online for collision repair info.