Car-Animal Collisions

Car accidents involving animals can be catastrophic. Even the safest drivers cannot anticipate a wild animal or loose pet darting into traffic and may not have time to avoid an accident. If you suffered injuries or property damage due to a car-animal collision, you might be able to recover compensation. Cases involving accidents caused by animals can be more complicated than ordinary car accident cases, since it may be difficult to identify the responsible party. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our New Hampshire car accident lawyers have more than 60 years of collective experience representing people involved in crashes. We can analyze the circumstances surrounding your accident and help you determine who may be liable for your damages.

Car accidents involving animals are more likely to happen at night or in the early morning, when wild animals are more active. While wild animals are a common cause of car accidents involving animals, accidents can also occur if loose livestock or pets run into the road. Accidents can happen when a driver collides directly with the animal, but animals can also cause accidents when drivers swerve to avoid hitting an animal and strike another car or an inanimate object instead.

When accidents involve larger animals, such as deer or cattle, they can cause substantial damage to vehicles. Car accidents involving animals can also result in severe injuries, such as fractures, brain injuries, damage to internal organs, and sometimes death. Additionally, people injured in a car-animal collision can suffer psychological effects due to the accident, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

To recover damages in any case arising out of a car accident, you must prove that another party was responsible for your harm. In most cases, the injured party alleges that the accident and any injuries and damage sustained were caused by someone else’s negligence. In New Hampshire, to show that another person’s negligence caused your harm, you must show that the person owed you a duty, the person breached the duty, and the breach caused both the accident and any damages that you sustained as a result of the accident. Your attorney must prove these elements by a preponderance of the evidence, which means that it is more likely than not that what you allege is true.

In many car accident cases, the negligent party is easily identifiable. In car accidents involving animals, however, it can be difficult to determine who should be held liable for the harm. After a car accident involving a pet or livestock, you may be able to recover damages from the owner. People who own animals have a duty to keep the animals restrained and away from the roadway. If the owner breaches the duty, and the animal escapes and causes your accident, you may be able to recover damages from the owner. Additionally, all drivers have a duty to drive in a reasonable manner under the circumstances and avoid causing harm to other drivers. If another driver hit your car in an effort to avoid an animal, you may be able to prove that the actions taken to steer clear of the animal were not reasonable and that the other driver should be held accountable for your harm. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can assess the facts of your case and assist you in pursuing compensation from any parties responsible for your damages.

If your case is successful, you should be able to recover the cost of any property damage sustained in the accident. You also will be entitled to reimbursement for the costs of any medical treatment and compensation for your pain and suffering. If you were unable to work after the accident, you should be able to recover damages for lost earnings. If you were married when the accident occurred, your spouse might also be entitled to compensation.

If you were involved in a car-animal collision, you may be entitled to damages for any injuries and property damage caused by the accident. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our attorneys can review the facts and secure the evidence needed to help you obtain a favorable result. Our vigorous representation has allowed us to maintain a high success rate and a history of favorable verdicts. We have offices in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, from which we represent clients throughout New Hampshire. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or through our online form to schedule a free consultation.