Livestock Collisions on the Highway
October 2024
A car collision with livestock can result in serious injury and even death. A Wisconsin livestock owner has a common law duty of due care to make sure their livestock does not intrude on the road and the animals are properly fenced. Wisconsin is not a free-range state. Further a livestock owner can be held strictly liable for damages caused by a stallion that is over one year of age, a bull over six months of age, or a boar, a ram, or billy goat over four months of age.
In Wisconsin, with modern milking operations fewer dairy cows are seen in the fields. The dairy cows are now kept indoors around the year in milking parlors. However, more beef cattle are seen in fields than in times past. With the additional size of beef cattle and their more wild nature than dairy cows, the danger of severe collisions is increased. Further with the reintroduction of the wolf in Wisconsin, a farm animal could feel threatened by a wolf and run through a fence onto a road.
The law regarding animal collisions can be complex. You should not just think applying the law is going to be a simple matter. You should also not delay after a collision in talking to a personal injury attorney.
If you have been injured in a collision with livestock, take time to learn your legal rights. Herrick & Hart has been representing the injured for over 70 years. Our office is located next to the Courthouse in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.