It’s a sad statistic, but hundreds of animals are hit by cars every year in Nova Scotia. Animals like deer can appear seemingly out of nowhere and take even the most cautious drivers by surprise. That’s why you should know and follow these five steps if you hit an animal with your car.
If possible, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Ensure you and everyone in the vehicle aren’t injured. Turn on your hazard lights.
From a safe distance, check the animal to see if it’s alive or dead. If it’s dead, look for babies or eggs nearby. Don’t approach the animal, as injured animals are scared and unpredictable.
Report the collision to a Wildlife Rescue Centre, the Department of Natural Resources, Species at Risk, 911 or the RCMP.
If your vehicle is badly damaged, call a tow truck to take it to an automotive repair shop.
Call your auto insurance broker and make a claim. Your insurance provider will contact a car rental company if needed.
If you injure or kill a domesticated animal, liability issues may be in play for you and the pet owner. Check with your insurance broker to see what kind of protection your auto insurance policy provides. Preventing Collisions with Wildlife Wildlife collisions injure and kill animals and can also be fatal for drivers and passengers. They also lead to damaged vehicles and expensive insurance claims. Follow these tips to prevent these unfortunate situations.
Slow down, especially when driving on rural roads at dawn and dusk.
Scan ahead and try to see animals on or beside the road well before you reach them.
Honk your horn to scare animals off the road.
To protect you and your passengers, avoid collisions by braking gently instead of stopping suddenly or swerving.
If you see an animal beside the road, slow down. Deer, for example, travel in groups, so there may be more animals you can’t see hiding in tall grass or trees.
Dispose of trash properly, as litter attracts animals such as bald eagles and owls. Even banana peels and apple cores can attract wildlife to the road.
If you travel on rural roads, consult your insurance broker to ensure your auto insurance policy provides adequate coverage for wildlife collisions. For more information about avoiding wildlife collisions – plus important Nova Scotia contact information – visit Watch for Wildlife website (W4W). Contact Your Trusted Auto Insurance Broker in Nova Scotia At Eisenhauer Insurance Inc., we can help you find comprehensive and affordable car and motorcycle insurance. With our emergency contact number, our brokers are always available for any emergency. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation to learn more about your auto insurance options in Nova Scotia.