Who to call if you hit an animal with your car

What to do if you hit an animal with your car in Australia

Australia’s roads are shared not just with other drivers, but with a rich array of wildlife and domestic animals. Unfortunately, animal-vehicle collisions are a common and often distressing part of driving in both urban and regional areas.

Whether it’s a kangaroo bounding across a country road or a pet darting into traffic, knowing what to do if you hit an animal can make a significant difference for your safety and the animal’s welfare.

Immediate steps after a collision

If you hit an animal, your priority is the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users. Pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and assess the situation. Avoid stopping suddenly in traffic or swerving, as this can cause further accidents.

Once stopped, check for injuries to yourself and others. If it’s safe to do so, approach the animal cautiously. Injured animals, especially wild ones, can be unpredictable and may lash out in fear or pain.

WIRES Spokesperson, John Grant, has a good reminder. “We always must remember that when we go to help these animals, they don't see us as rescuers, they see us as predators.”

Use a towel or blanket to cover smaller animals if you need to move them, but avoid handling large or dangerous species like kangaroos, wombats, snakes, or birds of prey. Instead, call a wildlife rescue organisation such as WIRES (1300 094 737) in NSW.

For other states and territories, find the appropriate numbers to call here.

“Keep patting and touching of the animal to a minimum,” says John Grant. Again reminding us of the wild nature of wildlife.

If the animal is deceased and it’s safe, move it off the road to prevent further accidents.

For marsupials like kangaroos or wombats, check for pouch young as joeys can survive for days after their mother has died. If you find one, contact a wildlife carer immediately.

What to do if you hit a domestic animal

Hitting a domestic animal such as a dog or cat carries additional responsibilities. It is a legal requirement in NSW that you report the incident to either the RSPCA, an officer, or the pet owner, as soon as realistically possible.

Additionally, you are required to take reasonable action to ensure the animal is in the least amount of pain possible.

“We interpret this to suggest alleviating pain is consistent with calling WIRES or any other local native wildlife rescue group to attend and take action and get the animal to vet,” says John Grant.

Reporting and insurance

In cases of significant damage or if the animal poses a hazard to traffic, report the incident to local police. This is especially important for insurance claims, as a police report can support your case. Comprehensive car insurance typically covers damage from animal collisions, but check your policy for specifics.

Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and the animal (if appropriate and safe) to document the incident. This can be helpful for both insurance and wildlife reporting purposes.

Orphaned joeys raised and released by WIRES. Remember to check for pouch young in injured marsupials.

When and where wildlife is most active

Understanding animal behaviour can help you avoid collisions in the first place. Most Australian wildlife is crepuscular—active at dawn and dusk. Kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, and possums are particularly likely to be on the move during these times, often crossing roads in search of food or water.

Learn more here: Protecting our wildlife.

How to reduce your risk

Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe and protect animals on the road:

• Avoid driving at dawn or dusk in rural or bushland areas, where possible.
• Slow down in areas marked with wildlife crossing signs or where roadkill is visible.
• Use high beams when safe to do so at night to spot animals earlier.
• Don’t swerve. Brake firmly and stay in your lane to avoid losing control.
• Stay alert and scan the sides of the road, especially in areas with dense vegetation.
• Plan rest stops to avoid fatigue, which reduces reaction time and awareness.

Hitting an animal can be a traumatic experience but knowing how to respond can help reduce harm and potentially save lives. By driving cautiously, especially during high-risk times and in wildlife rich areas, we can all do our part to protect Australia’s wildlife and pets.