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When an animal caused your accident | Nourmand Legal | Accident Attorneys

When an animal caused your accident

Being involved in a car accident is not a pleasant experience at all, and even worse if your accident was caused by an animal that was crossing the road.

It is estimated that in a year in the United States, there are more than 260,000 car accidents involving animals, resulting in approximately 12,000 people injured and more than 150 fatalities.

It is important that we keep animals off the roads, be it cattle, cats, dogs, or any domestic animals. But, in addition, it is necessary to take greater measures in those areas where wildlife is more common and, therefore, there is a greater danger that they will prevent accidents.

 

What to do if I am involved in a car accident with an animal?

If you or a loved one find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some things to consider at such times:

 

1. Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. If possible, place an emergency sign as close as possible to the animal so that other drivers can see it and avoid colliding with it, causing more accidents. Make sure you are out of the way of traffic and stay in a safe place. Animals can act violently when hurt, so be very careful when approaching them.

2. Call the emergency services. Call 911 to report your accident and request an ambulance and the police. Even if you don’t have visible injuries, it’s important to get a medical checkup to make sure everything is okay. The police will prepare a report on the circumstances of the accident, which can help establish liability and use it as evidence in a personal injury claim.

3. Take pictures. As in any other accident, having photographs of what happened can be very useful as part of the evidence. Take pictures of the damage to your car, your injuries and/or the injuries of your passengers, and the animal.

4. Get information from witnesses. If anyone witnesses the accident, try to get their contact information. Your statement may help explain how the accident happened.

 

At the Nourmand law firm we have extensive experience in handling personal injury cases. If you find yourself in such a situation, we can help you. Call us today and schedule a free consultation.

800.550.9816