Watch out! Animals on the road!
Darkness is just setting in, it’s foggy, the leaves are wet, and the wild animals are starting their migrations – that’s when our roads become particularly dangerous in autumn, and when the accidents involving animals start happening. And even with collision damage insurance, the risk of running into a wild animal is something that should never be taken too lightly.
Every year there are thousands of accidents on roads in Austria involving wild animals, and unfortunately most of them happen where there are no migration warning signs displayed to advise extra caution. In 2006, 150 people were involved in serious accidents involving animals, and some of them died. As well as the personal suffering and the suffering of the animal involved, the resultant financial damage can also be considerable. It is true that an existing accident policy may cover the damage to your own vehicle caused by an incident involving an animal, but it can do nothing to offset the fatal risk incurred by such accidents.
Preventive measures
Tests have shown that a deer running at 100 km/h, for example, will impact against a vehicle with an equivalent force of two tonnes. The number one rule for avoiding accidents involving animals therefore must be “keep your speed down”. Particular attention needs to be paid in wooded areas or places with dense undergrowth, and speed needs to be kept down especially when approaching bends. But keep an eye on the fields next to the road as well, and keep as far away from the right-hand side of the road as possible, although obviously without presenting any risk to oncoming traffic. If a wild animal does appear in the headlights, apply the brakes, dip the lights, and sound the horn. Doing this will often just prevent an accident. Wild animals tend in most cases to move in groups, so if one animal has just crossed the road, slow down immediately, because there will probably be others following. Twilight in the morning and evening are particularly dangerous, because it is then that the animals are out foraging, and returning in the evening to wherever they will be passing the night. Two thirds of accidents happen between sundown and daybreak.
What to do if an accident nevertheless does happen
If, despite all your caution, an accident cannot be avoided, hold the steering wheel tight and do not take the risk of trying any hazardous avoidance manoeuvre. Even if the instinctive reluctance to kill an animal may be great, the results of swerving violently can be far more serious. Driver safety training will help you to react correctly in such crisis situations. After an accident, secure the scene and inform the police. You will need confirmation that the police have been informed in order to pursue a claim with the insurance company.
When will the insurance company pay?
A precondition for the payment of claims due to accidents involving animals is accident insurance (partial or fully comprehensive). Unlike compulsory third-party insurance, this covers damage to your own vehicle. Because the contractual conditions may vary from one insurance company to another with regard to accidents involving animals, it is advisable to take a look at your policy. According to the VVO (Austrian Insurance Association) sample conditions, an accident involving a wild animal with a pelt will be covered in any event which has been caused “by contact with the vehicle in motion on roads open to public traffic”, but under alternative conditions agreement can be arranged for payments for collisions involving wild birds or domestic pets.
In order for a claim to be processed, confirmation must be provided that the police have been informed. Any signs of damage to the vehicle should not be removed. With the confirmation from the police in your possession, the accident insurers must be informed within a week of the date of the accident. Gross negligence on the part of the driver, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, may lead to the invalidation of the insurance.
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