A Roo’d Awakening: What to Do If You Hit A Kangaroo
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Australia is known for its wildlife especially out in the bush. Kangaroos roam freely which is great if you’re out exploring but what happens if you happen to hit one whilst driving?
With some males reaching over 6 ft and weighing 90kg can cause considerable damage to your motor vehicle. Depending on the speed at which you are travelling it could also leave yourself and any passengers with some serious injuries. Luckily we have created this guide on what you should if you are unfortunate enough to hit a roo whilst out driving.
In this article, we are going to cover:
- What to do immediately after an incident
- How to keep yourself safe and what to do with the animal
- Your rights and responsibilities
- How to avoid it happening again
So you have hit a Roo, what next?
- Pull over
The first thing you would need to do is pull your car over making sure it is safely off the road so not to cause danger to yourselves or any oncoming vehicles.
Check yourself and any passengers in the car to see if there are any injuries.
It’s also wise to turn on your hazard lights to warn any oncoming cars to drive with caution.
- Asses the roo
The next thing you would need to do is check the animal and assess its condition.
Be careful not to startle the kangaroo and approach with caution. Kangaroos can get aggressive and fight back if they feel threatened.
You can contact a vet or a local wildlife rescue organisation for guidance.
If you need to transport the animal anywhere, be sure to cover its claws and mouth in case the animal wakes whilst in transit and panics.
- Seek medical attention
If yourself or anyone else involved has sustained any injuries, you would need to seek medical attention.
Even if you feel ok, it may be wise to get yourself checked out as some injuries like whiplash can take up to 72 hours for symptoms to appear.
Can I Claim?
If you’ve been unfortunate to have a head-on collision with a kangaroo you’re probably wondering how to make a claim for the damages to your vehicle, injuries or both.
The law varies from state to state so depending on where your accident happened could determine your eligibility to make a claim.
First of all, you would need to inform your insurance company of the accident. They can also advise you of what your insurance covers you for.
Next would be to seek legal advice so they can determine whether or not you have a case.
It may be the case that only the passengers of the vehicle can make a claim for their injuries through your CTP (compulsory third party) insurance, so speaking with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to see where you stand.
How to avoid it happening again
- Pay attention to any road signs, areas where kangaroos frequent are usually signposted.
- Slow down if you see an animal on or around the road. Kangaroos can become panicked and frightened by the sight and sound of vehicles.
- Remember that animals usually stick together, if you see one, be wary as others may also be around.
Contact us
Millner and knight is a claims management company specialising in no win no fee compensation. Our goal is to provide claimants with the best possible service through our panel of independent solicitors.
For help and assistance please call 1800 106 107 or contact us online. We have offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and throughout each state.
