Was I wrong to call the cops after I hit a deer (it did not die)?

[Jemini_Crocket]

It happened last night. I was really shaken up. It happened to me for the second time now and I'm actually afraid to drive my car ever again, even if just to work.

I didn't even go fast, about 70 km/h but it happened at 10pm.

I get mixed opinions. I always thought I am supposed to call the cops no matter the outcome of an incident like this one when a deer/wild animals are involved.

The deer did not die or at least it did not in that moment. There were about 3 of them and I just didn't see them :(

I just had to call them because I was shaken up, it was freezing and my car is insured (thank god) and I just wanted to be sure.

Yes, you are - you're supposed to call the cops only if the animal is dead

No, you're not - you're supposed to call them every time like this one

Updates

+1 y

scontent.fprg5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/.../...272347_n.jpg
Pretty much self explanatory.

[Kori1236]

Nope, for insurance purposes it’s better to file a police report. It also counts as a wreck and there needs to be a clean up of debris. I’ve hit a moose it’s not fun, totalled my car to the point I couldn’t drive it, I ended up injured and the big bastard just trotted off.

[Jemini_Crocket]

Oh damn, that sounds really really bad. I'm glad you're okay. Thank you for responding too!

[WhiteBoyChill]

Meese are built like tanks

[Kori1236]

They are, I was just sad because I had just fixed the car up only for it to get totalled because a moose decided to cross the road. I got off lucky with minor injuries

[Finchie40]

Calling the cops hitting a deer is not necessary unless you are injured , but if not then not necessary cuz the cop can’t write a deer a ticket lol it’s considered an act of nature so what you should of done was called your insurance company right away to report that you just hit a deer , luckily you are ok , I have a shit ton of deer around me as well and I hit a few , cuz they come flying out of nowhere especially night time when it’s harder To see them , I learned how to spot their eyes at night which has helped me from less accidents with them , Also remember when you see a deer run across the road their is usually more of them following right behind so it’s best to slow down or stop for a minute to see if anymore are coming. Again glad you are ok

[Jemini_Crocket]

I guess I won't change anything at this moment, I just have to find a way to start driving again without my nerves wanting me to go crazy af.
Deer are fucking crazy, like seriously, they look like they run right at you instead of running away to safety. :|
I can only hope this will never happen again :(

[Finchie40]

Yea I hope it doesn’t happen to you again as well they are dumb ass animals they taste good but that’s about it lol they cause more damage then good , why it’s best to learn how to spot those fucking things lol Again I am glad you are ok and hopefully you don’t encounter another

[Jemini_Crocket]

I feel sorry for them but I can't help but hate on them : my car was expensive af for me.
I hope so too and thank you.

[Finchie40]

Yes the damage to your car sucks big time , but your life is more important

[Finchie40]

For some reason the link won’t open

[Jemini_Crocket]

Pity, it was a good meme.

[Finchie40]

I just tried again , no luck lol

[NamerOfStars]

No- I don't know if you're *supposed* to call them every time (you might want to ask them, either by calling or going in to the station), but it's not a bad idea to contact them if you're uncertain; this isn't calling 911 over a papercut, and helping the public is what the police are FOR.

It'll also help for insurance purposes to have proof that it happened- i. e., your phone records.

[purplepoppy]

If the animal is left on the road they like you to call so they can move the obstruction. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with a wild animal.

[Jemini_Crocket]

So despite having my car pretty much wrecked in the front, the animal did not die from the hit (at least from what I know), I should not have called them?
I'm just trying to understand.

[purplepoppy]

You didn't break any law. The police only need to be involved if the animal belongs to someone or Is endangering other road users

[Jemini_Crocket]

I called them especially to have them write everything down because I'm not sure exactly how insurance works, I just wanted to have all written down on paper just in case. :|

[MrOracle]

It's not really necessary to involve the police. The deer will die or it won't, and if it does, it will be eaten by other animals and provide them with food. Circle of life.

As for your insurance, you should generally pull over and take pictures of your car. Even better if you have your insurance company's phone app on your phone - you can literally submit a claim right from the side of the road and upload pics of the damage to your car right there.

Deer can't always be avoided - they tend to try to cross busy roads by running right into traffic - but if you know you have deer corridors (places where deer commonly cross the road) in your area - and these are often posted with signs - you need to slow down and take extra precaution, because as you've seen, hitting a 150 pound deer at speed can do a ton of damage to your car, not to mention the deer itself.

[OddBeMe]

1) you can always call the cops for anything. There really is no consequence unless you spam them.
2) that constitutes a wreck, so legally I think you were obligated to call the cops. Especially so am animal protection or game warden (whatever they’re called) can try to track the wounded animal and put it out of its misery.

[spartan55]

For insurance purposes you will need a police report. You done good.
Stupid 🦌deer... hate those things.

[Flower7]

You were right to call them so that if you have insurance for that, you’ll have an official police report to help prove what happened.

[Jamie05rhs]

Aw. I'm sorry that happened to you (and the deer.)

I don't think you did anything wrong. You notified them of a potentially dangerous situation (for the deer, and for other cars.). I think they probably appreciated it.

[dustybiker]

Call animal control. Poor thing. Glad you are okay.

[Bklynbadboy12]

You did the right thing and are you okay that's one of the reasons I hate to drive in wooded areas at night

[Jemini_Crocket]

It actually happened in wheat fields rather than in woods.
I'm okay but still a bit shaky and just sad.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Hang in there mama everything is gonna be okay and if your need to talk I'm here

[Bklynbadboy12]

Wait you said wheat fields where are you from

[Jemini_Crocket]

Czech Republic.

[Bklynbadboy12]

What is it like living there and what do you do for fun

[exitseven]

It did not hurt anything to let the cops know there are deer crossoing in that area.

[bean2k21]

Yes a deer can pose a real threat to society. My grandfather was a deer and he impregnated several women in a trailer park before destroying their husbands' cars.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Lol now I know why @Fuentes is so entertained by you

[misogynistic_pig]

No, it's reckless of her, and that deer probably died hours later, which makes her a murderer.

[Jemini_Crocket]

The deer jumped right ahead of the car, I'm not guilty because of its behavior. I was driving calmly.

[joeldalton]

I would always call. They can come and kill it if it's just injured to put it out of its misery.

[Sparkie460]

It was good that you called the police. If there's damage to your car your insurance will need the police report.

[KrakenAttackin]

You did the right thing. You need a report for insurance no matter what.

[Anonymous]

You're definitely supposed to call no matter what. Often times the deer is badly injured and the police can put it out of its misery with a shotgun.

[LEGENDARY4200]

Good way to make sure you have a police report for your insurance they'll do all the paperwork as long as you don't leave the scene

[AimeeKyle]

Get a police report. It will help out with insurance claims.

[Googlemyahoo]

Other day in the morning I saw a large raccoon run out and get hit by the car ahead of me. The thing tumbled directly under the car I hit the brakes. Then it got back up and ran away 🤷‍♂️

[CuriousMufuxka]

2nd time? Deer usually travel in pairs. Turn on your fuckin high beams! Actually how's your car? Not trying to be an asshole, I'm just slightly autistic.

[Jemini_Crocket]

It happened to me like a year ago or so but I was driving an older smaller car. This time I hit my Mazda 6 :( I can't even remember if I had my high beams on or not but I click them on everytime I can and need to do so... I'm just trying to block this incident in my head unwillingly.

Car is battered around its right headlight, bumper and fender, the front of the car - all got wrecked but not devastatingly.

What I worry about right now the most is that I'm actually scared of driving to literally any location, ever work. I don't know how to overcome this.

[CuriousMufuxka]

All I can say is drive slow, keep the high beams on, and I appreciate the response.

[Jemini_Crocket]

I'll try.

[NathanDavis]

good call... and hopefully you're okay

[Jemini_Crocket]

Yeah just still feeling guilty and stupid, and a bit shaky.

[Jennz6]

Call the Bouchershop and get it ready to eat or if it didn’t die call the Animal rescue department.

[EaterPeter]

I don't know what to do in such situation. I would call near by animal shelter.

[spartan55]

I don't think an animal shelter would take a deer.

[EaterPeter]

What happened after you called cops

[EaterPeter]

Did they came

[EaterPeter]

Did they issued you a citation

[Jemini_Crocket]

They wrote down the incident, what happened and all the damaged parts of my car with approximate cost of repair.
It took them quite a while though.

[EaterPeter]

I think it was a good call. You can use that report to file insurance claim, right?

[EaterPeter]

If damages are more than 500 it is better to call police

[EaterPeter]

You get authentic incident report it may take time though it is worth

[PeterLegg91]

Its a common occurrence , just move the deer out the road that's the best thing to do

[Jemini_Crocket]

But my car got wrecked up pretty hard, I was told you are supposed to call the cops in such situation.

[PeterLegg91]

I'm in the UK plus we don't get animals run in the roads etc except cats or foxes

[PeterLegg91]

Can you dm me?

[Iron_Man]

You could’ve called a veterinarian, not the cop

[Dav1dTh0ma389]

I sideswiped a deer once. I didn't call the cops, didn't feel I needed to

[Anonymous]

Probably don’t have to but they can help you out with it, probably insurance company to cover your damage mostly is who you need to call

[eagle1951]

nope you were right

[Anonymous]

It’s fine you just showed that you cared.

[shortster]

Animal control or highway patrol?

[WhiteBoyChill]

You did right