Animal Collision: What to Do, and When the Car Should Be Towed

Immediately at the scene

1. Switch on hazard lights, put on a hi-vis vest, and set up a warning triangle if it's safe to do so. On fast roads, get behind the crash barrier, see Breaking down on the motorway.
2. If anyone is injured: call 112 and give first aid.
3. Call the police. They document that it was an animal collision and usually inform the relevant hunter or forester.
4. Take photos: the scene, the animal, the damage to the vehicle.

Don't touch the animal

Don't touch injured or dead animals, partly because of the risk of rabies and infection. Leave that to the hunting leaseholder or forester. If you absolutely must move a dead animal off the road, wear gloves. Don't take a dead animal with you: that can count as poaching under German law.

Wildlife-collision certificate

Get a wildlife-collision certificate from the police, the forester, or the hunting leaseholder. It's your proof to the insurer that the damage was caused by an animal.

Who pays?

Damage to your own vehicle from game animals like deer or wild boar is usually covered by partial comprehensive insurance. Report the damage to your insurer before the vehicle is cleaned, repaired, scrapped, or sold. The exact conditions are in your policy. Breakdown cover or club membership can additionally cover the towing costs.

Drive on, or have it towed?

In an animal collision, the front of the car is often damaged: the radiator, headlights, bonnet. Check before continuing:

• Is coolant, oil or fuel leaking?
• Do the headlights and indicators work?
• Is the bonnet secure, or could it fly open?
• Is the temperature gauge normal, or is there steam? See Engine overheating.
• Are new warning lights on? See Warning lights in your car.

If the answer to any of these is "yes", don't keep driving. Further criteria are in After the accident: still roadworthy or towed? Electric and hybrid vehicles need special care, see Towing an electric car.

What to tell a towing service

• Where you are: road, section, car park, or on a motorway the direction and exit
• How the vehicle is positioned and whether parts are loose or lying on the road
• Whether the police are already there or on their way
• Vehicle and drivetrain

If the police or highways authority are on site, a contracted company may be assigned on a motorway, see Breaking down on the motorway.