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Who's at Fault if I Collide with an Animal in Indiana?

Posted By Kooi Law in Personal Injury

Car accidents involving wildlife occur frequently in Indiana. According to Indiana’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, more than 14,000 vehicle collisions involving deer occur each year. Aside from deer, other wildlife, domestic animals, and farm animals can also cause wrecks on the road. When a wreck occurs because of an animal, knowing who’s responsible for your damages isn’t straightforward.

It’s possible that your insurance company provides coverage for collisions involving wildlife, but if you can pinpoint the owner of the animal who caused your accident and prove that they were negligent, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. An experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer from Kooi Law can assess your situation and determine whether your case will stand in court.

Collisions Commonly Involving Animals

There are many circumstances in which an animal can cause a car accident, and the consequences can range in severity. If you’re driving on the highway near a residential area, a dog may run into the road and cause you to swerve into a tree. If the accident occurs at night, your injuries may be more significant. When a deer hits you on the highway, it can cause property damage in addition to injuries.

If livestock such as cows or horses escape from their property and wander into the road, they can cause collisions that lead to life-altering injuries and sometimes death. The size of these animals increases the potential for severe injury. 

Knowing Whom to Sue for Your Damages

Your car accident lawyer in Indianapolis can use evidence from your accident to determine whom to sue for your damages. The animal involved in your wreck can usually be a key identifier in whether an individual is responsible. If the animal is domestic or livestock, the animal’s owner may be negligent for not containing the animal. But, if it’s a wild animal, no one is liable.

Finding the owner of a domestic animal or a farm animal can be challenging, but many domestic pets have collars that can identify nearby owners. Farm animals usually come from nearby land. By surveying the surrounding area, your attorney can help find the animal’s owner so you can hold them liable for your injuries. 

Damages You Can Recover in Your Personal Injury Claim

If you collided with a domestic or farm animal and can successfully prove that the animal’s owner was negligent, you can recover compensation for any damages you suffered from your accident. You likely suffered both economic and non-economic damages in your wreck.

Economic damages include financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages. Non-economic damages include non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Reach Out to an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney

Colliding with an animal on the road can be frustrating and it’s not always easy to obtain a settlement. After speaking with your insurance about whether you’re covered for animal collisions, you should reach out to an experienced attorney, because you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

To discuss your case with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer from Kooi Law, call 317-569-1335 to schedule a free consultation or visit our website for more information.


About the Author:

Kooi Law


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