If an injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Animal-caused road injuries happen when animals on the road cause crashes, resulting in a range of injuries.
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a road accident, we can help. If your injuries were caused by another driver, cyclist, pedestrian or any other road user, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a No Win, No Fee road injury compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
You are not alone
Injuries sustained by road users in a collision with an animal are relatively uncommon, although they are frequent enough and potentially serious enough to be covered by specific legislation (legislation.gov.uk).
Livestock loose on Britain's roads account for around 1,000 road traffic accidents every year (brake.org.uk). Given the size of larger livestock, including cows and horses, these accidents have the potential to cause serious injury.
If you decide to make an animal-caused road accident injury claim, your road accident solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.
What if the driver was uninsured or untraceable?
If the driver responsible for the injury is either uninsured or untraceable, a claim can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
The MIB is an independent that pays road accident compensation to the victims of uninsured or untraced (unidentified) drivers.
How much compensation can I claim for a road accident involving an animal?
The compensation you can claim for a road accident involving an animal will depend on:
- the nature and severity of your injury,
- how your injury influences your daily activities and work abilities,
- any costs or financial impacts you?ve suffered due to the accident.
Animal-caused road accident injury
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your road injury or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.
Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include pain medication and psychological support.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average animal-caused road accident injury general damages compensation table
The following animal-caused road accident injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Back injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | A back sprain, disc prolapse, soft tissue injury or minor fracture that fully recovers without surgery | £2,720 to £13,870 |
| Moderate | A disc lesion, prolapse, fracture or soft tissue injury leading to chronic conditions, including pain, mobility issues, impaired sexual function, psychological effects, a risk of arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and nerve root irritation | £13,870 to £30,800 |
| Severe | Severe spinal cord damage, nerve root damage, disc lesions, fractures and soft tissues leading to serious chronic conditions | £43,020 to £178,590 |
Neck injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Soft tissue injury | £2,720 to £8,750 |
| Moderate | Fracture or dislocation injuries, or worsening of existing conditions, including wrenching, disc lesions and cervical spondylosis | £27,730 to £42,700 |
| Serious | Severe fractures, dislocation, soft tissue damage, ruptured tendons, and/or chronic disability | £50,450 to £62,120 |
Post-traumatic stress
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Full, or near full, recovery within 1 to 2 years | £4,380 to £9,070 |
| Moderate | Mostly complete recovery | £9,070 to £25,680 |
Shoulder injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue injury | Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 1 year, causing considerable pain | £2,720 to £8,750 |
| Clavicle fracture | Injuries causing some pain and disability, e.g. a displaced, fractured clavicle | £5,710 to £13,580 |
Whiplash
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery in under 3 months | Up to £220 | |
| Recovery in 3 to 12 months | £220 to £1,200 | |
| Recovery in 1 to 2 years | £1,200 to £3,830 |
Psychological trauma following a road accident
Road accidents can be shocking, traumatic events, often leaving a psychological impact alongside physical injuries.
According to our 2025 Road Injury Claimant Survey, 32.47% of injured road users suffered a psychological injury, 78.53% of these alongside a physical injury.
Accidents involving animals can lead to a unique form of trauma, often combining sadness with a phobia of similar future incidents. Road accidents can also lead to amaxophobia (fear of driving or being a passenger), or PTSD.
Claiming general damages for mental and emotional distress can help provide access to mental health care and therapies, some of which might not be available through the NHS.
Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.
Am I entitled to make an animal-caused road injury claim?
You can claim for a road accident involving an animal, if:
- you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
- another party was at fault, and;
- that party had a legal duty to protect you.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.
How long after an animal-caused road injury do I have to start a claim?
An injury claim will usually need to be made within 3 years of the date or your accident or injury.
For injured children, a claim can be started by a parent or guardian at any time before they turn 18. Thereafter, the injured individual has until their 21st birthday to make a claim on their own.
Livestock on the road
Despite vigilance on the part of farmers, animals can escape their enclosures and wander into nearby roads.
In cases where the farmer has failed to repair a broken gate or fence, the farmer is likely to be negligent and liable to pay compensation
In some cases, however, loose livestock can be caused by a gate being left open. This could be a failure on the part of a farm worker or an unknown party, such as an anonymous rambler. This can, in some cases, make negligence more difficult to prove.
Typical injuries resulting from livestock on the road
One of the most common injuries sustained by drivers and passengers involved in a collision with livestock is whiplash.
Other common injuries include muscular damage, bruising and sprained or broken limbs caused by the impact of hitting a cow or horse, or by hitting a tree, fence or other vehicle while attempting to avoid the animal.
Who is liable for accidents involving livestock?
In many cases, the farmer who is responsible for the livestock will be held accountable for any road accidents that the animals cause.
Most farmers protect themselves from the financial consequences of paying injury compensation by taking out public liability insurance. This insurance is designed to cover the costs of any accidents caused by the animals owned by the farmer, or by any work undertaken by the farmer in the course of his normal duties.
How do I prove that an animal caused my road accident?
A road user may be injured in a crash with road furniture, a tree or wall, after turning avoid a loose animal. In these cases, it can be harder to prove that your accident was caused by the animal.
If possible, take photos of the loose livestock and report the incident to the police. Witness statements and dashcam footage are invaluable.
Broken fences and gates may be subsequently repaired, so it is recommended to act quickly after an accident to gather evidence, including photos.
A solicitor will able to advise further on this point, even if you are undecided about actually starting a claim.
How your road accident happened will affect the claim process
The steps for claiming a compensation for a road accident involving an animal will depend on where and how it happened. Click the icons below to find out more.
Can I make a no win, no fee animal-caused road accident injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim animal-caused road accident injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to a road accident specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackSources
Animals Act 1971 (reviewed: 31/07/2024)
Rural roads | Brake (reviewed: 02/08/2024)
Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.