You do your best to avoid accidents on the road, but there are certain situations that are beyond your control. For example, a deer or another animal may run out on to the freeway and collide with your vehicle. Those who are facing this dilemma may have questions about whether accidents with animals are covered by uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
The answer is somewhat complicated, since there are companies that will not cover accidents like run-ins with animals, even if the incident is clearly not the driver’s fault. In addition, there are nuances that must be examined on an individual basis to determine if UIM/UI coverage applies if you hit an animal on the freeway.
An Overview of Un-Insured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
Both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provide a certain level of protection if the party at fault for the accident has no insurance or inadequate insurance coverage. Typically abbreviated as UIM or UM policies, these protections are not available for all types of auto insurance plans.
Uninsured motorist coverage can protect you in the event of an accident where the other driver does not carry any form of insurance. So, this is coverage you would purchase from your own insurance company in case the party that harmed you cannot offer compensation.
On the other hand, underinsured motorist coverage is used when you are injured from an accident where the negligent driver has an insurance plan. However, their policy limits are entirely too low to cover all the damages you are entitled to. This can include medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
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How Doe UIM / UI Coverage Apply to Accidents with Animals?
Based on your location, there may be an increased risk of natural hazards to motorists that can cause serious injuries and vehicle damage. This includes scenarios where an animal leaps out onto the freeway, and you end up hitting it because you do not have enough distance to come to a full stop. Alternatively, you may swerve to avoid hitting the animal, which causes you to hit another object, like a guard rail.
If you make no contact with the animal, but you end up hitting another car or object (or your vehicle rolls over), it’s more than likely that the collision coverage on your plan will pay for the associated damage. Unfortunately, this is not the case if you hit a deer or any other animal.
Animal collisions with vehicle are common occurrences in rural and wooded areas, but they can actually happen anywhere, and many of these accidents are unavoidable. Unfortunately, when the harm you suffer is due to the impact of hitting the animal, you may be the one who is left to cover these expenses on your own. If you have a plan that offers comprehensive coverage, your insurance plan may cover the cost of injuries and property damage up to a certain limit. Those without comprehensive coverage may be stuck with the prospect of paying out of pocket.
Comprehensive insurance coverage can pay for damages in a wide variety of situations, including:
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Vandalism
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Theft
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Fire
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Damage caused by hail, flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters
How to Avoid Hitting Animals on the Road
By now, we hope you have a good sense of whether a UIM or UI coverage plan will cover you in the event of a car collision with an animal on the freeway. Whether you are covered or not, it makes sense to exercise caution and take measures to minimize any run-ins with animals during your travels:
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Be extra-vigilant at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active.
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Most deer and other wildlife accidents take place between October and November, so make sure to keep an eye out for animal wandering out on the road during these months.
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Make sure to heed animal crossing signs by driving slowly, which will increase your ability to stop your car and avoid a collision.
Even if you follow these steps, there is no fool-proof method that will protect you from a run-in with a deer or another wild animal on the road. If you are having trouble obtaining payment from your insurance coverage, even though you have comprehensive coverage, don’t hesitate to contact us. A lawsuit may be necessary to recover what you rightfully deserve, which we can take care of on your behalf.
How We can Help You
You have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your own if you are trying to obtain compensation from a resistant insurance provider. However, the chances of a successful outcome are much higher for those with representation from a car accident attorney. Even more important, claimants with lawyers typically end up with settlements that are triple the amount obtained by people that represent themselves.
Our team of car accident lawyers can help you with every aspect of your claim and fight for maximum payment in the following categories:
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Immediate and on-going medical expenses
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Value of lost wages
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Loss of future income if you have severe injuries
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
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Property damage
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Attorney’s fees
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Punitive damages
For a detailed explanation on the compensation that’s available to you, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm. Though we are headquartered in Los Angeles, we have a dedicated group of attorneys that practice in Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Francisco, Bakersfield, Sacramento, and many other cities throughout California.
Zero Fee Guarantee for Accident Victims
By contacting out law firm today, you can receive advice and guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney. The consultation is free, and if you decide to hire us, you will not pay a single penny out of pocket. We offer a Zero Fee Guarantee from day one to ensure that you don’t need to worry about the costs associated with legal representation. If we obtain your settlement, we will obtain a percentage of the proceeds to cover our expenses. If we don’t bring you compensation from a successful car accident case, you owe us $0 – guaranteed.
Please take this opportunity to reach out and talk to a lawyer that specializes in uninsured and underinsured motorist accident claims.
