Driving home over a suburban road, the night is dark. It’s only a few more blocks before you reach your house but then out of the blue, a deer runs across the street right in front of your car.
Startled, you try to hit the brakes. However, there isn’t just enough time to stop before hitting the poor creature.
Eventually, your car stops but you’ve already done the damage. Your car shakes and you do too because you don’t have an idea of what you should do. Whether this has or hasn’t happened to you yet, it is best to know what to do when you are in this situation.
What You Should Do When You Hit A Deer?
Step 1: Turn Your Hazard Lights On
On a dark road, you should make yourself more visible and you can do that by making sure your headlights and hazard lights on. This makes you visible in both directions. If you can still move your car, it is best to move it to the side to get away from traffic. When doing this, it would be best to back up so you don’t hit the deer again.
Step 2: Call The Emergency Number
Dial 911 and inform them about the accident. The police officers can guide you on what exactly to do in case you hit a deer. They will also be able to give you some assistance in case your car is damaged so you can safely go home. Before you are allowed to go home, you will need to give your statement to the police. They’d also contact an animal resource group and your insurance provider.
Step 3: Documentation
Taking pictures is one of the things you shouldn’t forget to do. Right after the accident, as long as you are safe, you can go and take pictures on your own. These will help you with your insurance claim.
However, if the deer is still alive, it is best to not go near it. A wounded animal will feel threatened and could do anything to get away. It may kick you and they can injure you as well.
Step 4: Do A Thorough Car Inspection
In case your car gets severely damaged due to the incident, you can’t drive it and it has to be towed. You need to take a closer look at your vehicle and take note of the damages. Check for leaks, the condition of your headlights, etc. This will help you identify if your car received any damage during towing.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Hitting a deer is an accident and even if you don’t intend to do it, you shouldn’t just flee the scene. It is an inhumane thing to do. The best you could do is to report it so that the authorities could contact groups that could help with the deer.
A deer that has already been injured by your car is likely to be hit again by other cars if you just leave it on the road. Additionally, if you hit a deer and don’t report it, the damage on your vehicles won’t be covered by insurance because there is no documentation. It is best to stay on the scene and wait for the police to arrive. Your GPS system will come in handy in this situation. Also, don’t forget to calm yourself down.
