Collisions with Animals

Drivers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties face all types of hazards each time they get behind the wheel. While collisions with animals may not be at the top of your list of concerns, more than two million people each year are involved in an accident with an animal. These cases are especially complex because there is often no other driver involved, meaning a victim must file a claim with their own insurance company. At Power Trial Lawyers, we have assembled a skilled team of Southern California personal injury attorneys dedicated to helping motorists recover compensation under their insurance policies after being involved in an animal-related accident.

California is a fault-based state when it comes to car insurance. As a result, after most Southern California car accidents, anyone injured in the accident can recover for their injuries by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. But when talking about collisions with animals, they are often single vehicle accidents. How does this impact a victim’s ability to recover?

In most cases involving collisions with animals, injured motorists will file a claim with the driver’s car insurance policy. However, car insurance companies typically only cover these accidents if you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. Additionally, if you were physically injured in the accident, your car insurance policy may not cover your injuries at all, requiring you to rely on your medical insurance.

If you hit a deer, dog, or another animal, it is important that you carefully consider your actions immediately after the accident. This is because insurance companies are skeptical of any accident, especially those involving unverified causes. Thus, be sure to follow the following steps to protect yourself and your ability to recover for your injuries.

If you or anyone in your car was injured, call 911 to report the accident. This will create an official record of the accident, making it harder for an insurance company to argue that the accident never happened. If no one was seriously injured, you should still report the accident to the local police or sheriff’s department.

It’s tempting to move an animal off the road to keep other drivers safe. However, tampering with the scene of an accident is generally a bad idea because it interferes with the investigation. Whenever possible, keep the scene exactly as it was until law enforcement arrives.

If you have a cell phone or camera with you, take a few pictures of the accident scene. For example, you should document the animal’s location, any damage to your car, and any stationary objects you struck, either in an attempt to avoid the animal or after you hit the animal.

Even if you sustained only minor injuries, it is essential that you seek medical treatment immediately. This will create a record of your injuries, making it more difficult for the insurance company to claim your injuries were preexisting or caused by something else.

All insurance policies require you report an accident promptly. Thus, do not delay in calling your insurance company to report the collision. Try to only answer the questions the insurance company asks you because anything you say can be used to deny or reduce the value of your claim.

If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries after an accident with an animal, reach out to Power Trial Lawyers for immediate assistance. At Power Trial Lawyers, our dedicated team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers has over ten years of experience helping injury victims recover after all types of accidents, including collisions with animals. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today, call 844-844-POWER (7693). You can also connect with us through our online contact form. We proudly represent clients in Los Angeles County and Orange County and have conveniently located offices in Los Angeles and Newport Beach.