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What Should I Do If I Hit a Deer?

Hitting a deer with your vehicle can be a scary and intimidating occurrence. It’s important to take the right steps to make sure things get processed correctly, especially if anyone is injured or there is substantial damage to your vehicle. By staying calm and following a few general guidelines, you can make sure that everything will be taken care of properly after the incident.

Move To Safety, Call the Authorities

After hitting a deer – or any other animal – it’s important to get your car to a safe place on the side of the road. After getting your vehicle to a safe place, alert the authorities. The deer may be blocking traffic or creating another potential issue for other drivers. Depending on the severity of the collision, there might be damages, injuries, or both.

In that event, you will want to file a police report to document the incident. Not every accident requires an accident report in Colorado, but if there is $1,000 worth of damage or more, it is required by law. Deer aren’t small and can cause a lot of damage. That can also lead to bodily injuries. If those are severe, call 911 or alert emergency response services right away.

More Than One Vehicle? Contact a Lawyer

Regardless of the severity of the accident, it’s important to get in touch with a Denver car accident lawyer in the event of any accident. Even though most auto-deer collisions include just one vehicle, it’s not uncommon for multiple cars to be involved. Whether in the initial accident or as part of a chain reaction that causes a subsequent accident after the fact, it’s important that your lawyer has all of the facts as soon as possible.

Even if you feel fine, or if any injuries aren’t apparent right away, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any underlying problems. Adrenaline and excitement come along with unexpected events, and car accidents are no different. There could be injuries or other issues you aren’t feeling in the heat of the moment, and your attorney can advise as to medical attention or next steps, as well.

Report the Incident to Insurance

Impact with a deer can cause lots of damage to your vehicle, so it’s important to let your insurance company know about that damage. Inspect your vehicle to detail all of the damage, and make sure to take pictures. Assess if the vehicle is still drivable, and determine if you have to call a tow truck. Even if you’re unsure of all of the damages, it’s important to contact your insurance company. A more comprehensive claim can be filled out later, but it’s important to report the incident as soon as possible.

Auto accidents can be a harrowing experience, and the surprise that comes along with a collision with a deer can be especially daunting. For more information on what steps to take when you hit a deer, or are involved in any other kind of accident, contact the experts at Lampert & Walsh today.