Who Is Responsible for a Michigan Car Accident Involving an Animal?
Published:
Most drivers do not expect to encounter an animal in the middle of a Michigan road or highway. Yet according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, there were 58,324 deer-involved crashes in 2024. Those crashes included 14 fatalities.
While deer accidents are the most common, they are not the only animals putting motorists at risk. Cows and other livestock can escape and wander onto roadways, and dogs can cause drivers or bicyclists to lose control and crash.
Here is an overview of animal-related accidents and how an experienced car accident attorney can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Do You Have a Case?WILL MY INSURANCE COVER CAR REPAIRS FOR AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY AN ANIMAL?
Coverage depends on the terms of the driver’s No-Fault policy and the circumstances of the accident. It also depends on whether the crash involves a wild animal, such as a deer, or an animal owned by someone else, such as livestock or a dog.
Accidents involving deer or other wild animals
If a car is damaged in a collision with a deer or other wild animal, and no other vehicle is involved, repairs are typically covered only if the policy includes comprehensive coverage. That optional protection pays for losses other than collisions with other vehicles, such as animals, fire, theft, vandalism, glass damage, falling trees, lightning, hail and flooding.
Comprehensive coverage generally applies when the animal actually contacts the vehicle. If a car hits a tree or guardrail to avoid an animal, repairs are usually a collision claim, and the owner pays the collision deductible.
Accidents involving livestock or pets
Michigan law can hold owners responsible when their animals escape. If a horse, cow or other livestock gets loose and damages someone else’s property, the Animals Running at Large statutes may make the owner or keeper liable, including for vehicle damage on a roadway.
A loose dog that causes a crash may also support a negligence claim against the owner. The dog-bite statute applies to bites; a car crash caused by a dog is a different theory.
Contact a qualified personal injury attorney if an animal owned by someone else caused you harm.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS?
Although any type of accident is possible when an animal crosses a road, these are among the most common:
- Rear-end collisions. When a driver brakes suddenly to avoid an animal, the vehicle behind may not stop in time.
- Head-on collisions. These occur most often on two-lane roads when a driver swerves into oncoming traffic to miss an animal.
- Multi-vehicle accidents. On busy or high-speed roads, hitting an animal or swerving to avoid one can involve more than one vehicle.
WHAT HAPPENS IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ANIMAL-RELATED ACCIDENT?
When another vehicle is involved and someone is injured, each occupant typically seeks medical and related expenses from the applicable No-Fault coverage.
If another driver is at fault, the injured person may also be able to pursue noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, and medical expenses that exceed PIP limits, if they meet the injury threshold and are less than 50 percent at fault.
These cases are fact-specific. Contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible if you are injured in a crash with another vehicle.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING AN ANIMAL CAR ACCIDENT
- Maintain a safe following distance
- Reduce speed in areas with large deer populations or where warning signs are posted
- Stay alert and avoid cell phones and other distractions
- If a deer or other animal darts into the road, brake firmly and keep both hands on the wheel
- Use extra caution at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active
- Remember that deer travel in groups; if you see one, slow down and watch for others
Sometimes hitting an animal is unavoidable. If that happens:
- Call an ambulance if anyone is injured
- Call the police, even if there are no injuries
- Move your car to the side of the road if it is safe and turn on hazard lights
- Do not approach the animal, even if it is not moving
- Call an experienced car accident attorney
- Report the accident to your insurance company
- Have your car towed if it is not safe to drive
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED MICHIGAN CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY
If you or a loved one is injured in a Michigan car accident, we can help. Our experienced lawyers have the skills, knowledge and resources to pursue the compensation you and your family deserve.
Car accident law is complicated, but finding the right Michigan car accident attorney is simple.
Start your case today by filling out the brief form below or contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Do You Have a Case?
