Hit An Animal While Driving? Here's What You Should Know

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Accidents involving animals are more common than many people realize, but you may not know what to do if one occurs. It's important to react appropriately in this situation, as failure to do so can have serious legal consequences. In fact, you may even be charged with reckless driving if the incident is not handled the right way. Keep reading to learn what can happen if you hit an animal, whether you hit some wandering wildlife or a family's beloved pet. 

What should you do if you hit an animal while driving?

If you hit an animal while driving, the first thing you should do is stop your car. For starters, the animal may be injured and need help. Also, if you don't stop, you could be charged with a hit and run, which is a serious crime.

Once you've stopped in a location where you aren't obstructing traffic, assess the situation. If the animal is still alive, see if it's safe to approach it. If it's not, or if you're not sure, call animal control for help. They will be able to capture the animal and provide any necessary medical care.

If the animal is no longer alive, it should be removed from the road so that it's not a hazard to other drivers. If you aren't comfortable doing this yourself, call your local police department or animal control and ask for assistance.

What are the potential consequences of hitting an animal?

Depending on where you live, hitting an animal can be a serious legal matter. Consequences vary based on several factors, such as:

• Whether you were speeding, texting, or doing something that's considered a form of reckless driving
• Whether you were driving in an area that's off-limits to civilians, such as the wooded area of a national park
• The type of animal you hit
• If the animal was a pet and whether you can locate the owner

In some cases, you may only face a minor traffic citation if you hit an animal. However, if reckless driving played a role in the accident, you could be facing much more serious charges, such as a DUI. Hitting certain types of animals, such as endangered species, can also lead to steeper penalties. If you hit someone's pet, they may try to sue you for damages.

Hitting an animal can be a stressful situation, especially if you're going through it alone. In a case where you may be facing serious charges or a lawsuit, it's important to seek out the help of a qualified attorney. They can investigate the accident and build a case to help get your reckless driving charges and other legal consequences dismissed.

27 June 2022