What to Do After an Animal Causes a Car Accident in Pennsylvania
If you were in a car accident that an animal on the road caused, you’re facing challenges ahead. You are likely to have property damage to your vehicle, and you may have been injured in the process. While many claims involving animals are filed with the drivers’ own comprehensive coverage, this isn’t always the case. The best course of action is to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney at Fanelli, Evans & Patel as soon as possible.
Taking First Steps Forward
There are several basic steps anyone involved in an animal-related accident is well advised to take, including:
- Pull as far off the road as you can
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Call the police
- Consult with a savvy car accident lawyer early on
If the accident had a considerable impact, it is also a good idea to seek immediate medical attention even if you don’t think you were seriously injured.
The Circumstances of Your Claim
The circumstances of your claim will guide insurance coverage. This makes it essential to consider your unique situation carefully.
If You Hit a Deer or Another Wild Animal
If you hit a wild animal like a deer while driving on a well-maintained road, there is very likely no liability involved. You will file your claim with your own comprehensive insurance coverage, which will address the property damage to your vehicle. If you were injured in the accident, your sources for coverage include your medical insurance as well as any MedPay or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that you carry.
If You Hit a Wild Animal Due to Inadequate Road Maintenance
If you hit an animal as the direct result of a poorly maintained road, the municipality responsible for the road may be liable for your losses. Claims involving governmental entities, however, are exceptionally challenging, and you’ll want professional legal guidance backing you up.
The required elements for a successful claim include that the road’s defect played a direct and significant role in the accident and that the governmental entity was grossly negligent in relation to the defect. Prime examples include the following:
- If you hit the animal in your efforts to avoid a dangerous defect in the road, like a large pothole
- You hit the animal due to a damaged streetlight that prevented you from seeing it
- If you hit the animal due to inadequate drainage on the road that caused you to lose control of your vehicle, or that obscured it from view
If You Hit a Domestic Animal
If you hit a dog or another domestic animal that its owner allowed to roam freely when it should have been contained, you may be able to hold the owner liable.
An Experienced Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney Can Help
The dedicated car accident attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, encourage you to reach out for legal guidance in the aftermath of an accident involving an animal. Establishing another person or entity’s liability or obtaining fair coverage from your own provider can be a legally challenging process, and we have the experience and legal expertise to help. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 484-869-2113 in Reading, at 570-286-6500 in Sunbury, or at 570-622-2455 in Pottsville.