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Guide · Car accidents
Hit an Animal While Driving? Can You Claim?
You may be able to claim if you were injured because someone didn't take reasonable care to keep their animal off the road, such as a farmer whose cattle escaped or an owner who let their dog run loose. If you hit a dog, horse or farm animal, you must stop, and report it to the police within 24 hours if you can't give your details to the owner. Wild animals usually have no owner, so there's often no one to claim against.
Hitting an animal, or swerving to avoid one, can cause serious injuries. This guide explains what the law says you must do, who can be responsible and how a claim works.
- Animals you must report
- Dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys and mules
- Wild animals
- No legal duty to report
- Escaped livestock
- The owner may be responsible
- Time limit to claim
- Usually 3 years
What must you do if you hit an animal?
First, stop somewhere safe, put your hazard lights on and check whether anyone is hurt. Call 999 if someone is injured or the animal is blocking the road.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, if you hit and injure or kill a dog, horse, cow, pig, goat, sheep, donkey or mule, you must:
- StopStay at the scene for a reasonable time.
- Give your detailsGive your name and address, and the vehicle owner's details, to anyone who reasonably asks, such as the animal's owner.
- Report it if you can'tIf you don't give your details at the scene, report the accident to the police as soon as you reasonably can, and within 24 hours.
If an injured animal is still alive, don't approach it, as it may be frightened and dangerous. You can call the RSPCA's 24-hour line on 0300 1234 999 for advice.
Wild animals and deer
Wild animals
There's no legal duty to report hitting a wild animal, such as a fox or badger. Because wild animals have no owner, there's usually no one to claim against.
Deer
Most deer are wild, but some are kept in parks or enclosures. If a kept deer escaped because its enclosure wasn't secure, the owner may be responsible, so it's worth telling the police.
Dead animals on the road
If an animal has died and is a hazard, report it to the local council or, on motorways and major A roads, to National Highways.
If you were a passenger, you may be able to claim against the driver's insurer if careless driving, such as speeding, contributed to the accident.
Who is responsible for animals on the road?
Under the Animals Act 1971, people who keep animals have a duty to take reasonable care to stop them straying onto the road. That applies to farmers and livestock keepers, and to pet owners too.
- A farmer whose fences or gates weren't properly maintained, letting cattle or sheep onto the road
- A dog owner who let their dog run loose near a road
- A horse owner whose field wasn't secure
- Another driver whose careless driving caused you to swerve
There are exceptions. For example, a keeper isn't usually in breach just because animals were allowed on unfenced land where they have a right to graze, such as some common land and moorland. Farmers usually have insurance that covers claims like these, and dog and horse owners are often covered by their home or pet insurance.
How to make a claim
To claim, you'll usually need to show the animal's keeper didn't take reasonable care and that this caused your accident and injuries. Evidence that helps includes:
A police record
Report the accident and keep the reference number.
Photos
Of the scene, the animal, any broken fences or open gates, your car and your injuries.
Witnesses
Names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident or the animals on the road.
Medical records
Get checked at A&E or by your GP, and explain exactly how the accident happened.
We can also look into who owns the land and animals, and whether there were earlier escapes. Most claims settle without going to court. See will my claim go to court?
Accidents involving animals: FAQs
Do I have to report hitting an animal to the police?
If you hit and injure or kill a dog, horse, cow, pig, goat, sheep, donkey or mule, you must stop. If you don't give your details to someone who reasonably asks for them, such as the owner, you must report it to the police as soon as you reasonably can, and within 24 hours. There's no legal duty to report hitting a cat or a wild animal.
Can I claim if I hit a deer?
Usually not, because most deer are wild and have no owner. But if a deer escaped from a park or enclosure that wasn't properly secured, the owner may be responsible. If you were a passenger, you may be able to claim against the driver if careless driving contributed.
Who pays if a farmer's cattle or sheep were on the road?
If the farmer didn't take reasonable care to keep the animals in, for example because fences or gates weren't maintained, you may be able to claim against them. Farmers usually have insurance that covers this, so the claim is dealt with by their insurer.
Can I claim if I swerved to avoid an animal and crashed?
Possibly. If the animal was on the road because its keeper didn't take reasonable care, you may be able to claim even though you didn't hit it. If the animal was wild, there's usually no one to claim against, unless another driver's careless driving played a part.
Can I claim if a loose dog caused my accident?
You may be able to claim against the dog's owner if they didn't take reasonable care to keep it under control or away from the road. Dog owners are often covered by their home or pet insurance.
How long do I have to make a claim?
You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. For children, the 3 years doesn't start until they turn 18. See how long you have to claim.
Injured in an accident involving an animal?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation. We'll work out who was responsible for the animal and give you an honest view of whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.