For most drivers, hitting a kangaroo can be a terrifying experience. But if the animal is still alive, the next steps you take can be the most important.

Key points: Drivers are being urged to be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly kangaroos

Drivers are being urged to be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly kangaroos In 2018, NRMA Insurance says there was a 20 per cent increase in claims for animal collisions in NSW

In 2018, NRMA Insurance says there was a 20 per cent increase in claims for animal collisions in NSW Winter is the riskiest time for crashes involving animals

Diane Kirkland has been rescuing injured joeys on roads in western New South Wales for almost a decade.

"I'm a sucker for animals and I look at it this way: even if one dies, I am happy to say that it didn't die out on the open road, out in the cold. It was loved, it was looked after it," Ms Kirkland said.

A baby joey recued after its mother was killed in a road accident. ( ABC Western Plains: Ann Carter )

So if you are headed out for a road trip this weekend, you might want to be on the lookout for kangaroos.

While cute to look at, the marsupials account for 90 per cent of road accidents involving animals in NSW.

And roos are out in force.

"When the drought was fully on … there were a lot of joeys coming in," Ms Kirkland said.

"People [were] worried about kangaroos that couldn't jump fences and they [the roos] were just lying along the fences and dying.

"Probably about three months ago it started to ease … and now we have had patches of rain, we find that the joeys are starting to come in [again]."

Steps to take

So, if you do happen to hit a kangaroo, what should you do?

1. Check if it's safe to stop 2. If the animal is dead, pull it off the road and check the pouch 3. If the animal is alive, approach with caution 4. Call WIRES or police

A dead kangaroo on the side of the road. ( ABC Western Plains: Jen Browning )

"If you haven't had experience, you're better off calling WIRES or when you get to the town, go to the police station and tell them they need to attend to it," Ms Kirkland said.

"If people see something on the side of the road and they don't want to stop … they can just give a good description of where it is, so when people go out to look for it they are not driving up and down the road looking for it.

"Or if they pull up and tie a hanky around the white post … it makes all the difference and saves us time.

Last year, NSW had the highest rate of animal collisions in the country with more than 14,500 claims received — a 20 per cent increase on 2017 — according to NRMA Insurance.

Where are the hotspots?

90 per cent of claims relating to accidents with animals involve kangaroos. ( Supplied )

The data showed that winter is the riskiest time for crashes involving animals, with almost 90 per cent of claims involving incidents with kangaroos.

"If you're heading back from a trip this weekend, or any time over winter, it's really important that drivers are on the lookout for wildlife on the roads — particularly at dawn and dusk," said NRMA Insurance research specialist Chris Emerson.

"If you spot an animal on the road while driving, remember to brake but don't swerve, as this may cause a collision with other cars. When driving in an area where animals could be present, take note of any signage about local wildlife and slow down."

NSW's animal collision hotspots in 2018 1. Dubbo: 261 collisions 2. Goulburn: 176 3. Mudgee: 148 4. Singleton: 122 5. Muswellbrook: 120 Source: NRMA Insurance

Dubbo is the number one hotspot for animal collisions in NSW. The Western Plains town was the location cited in 261 claims made with NRMA Insurance last year.

Ms Kirkland said if it was safe to do so, a person should check for a joey.

"When you see them on the side of the road and there are little babies, whether it's a dog or a cat or any sort of animal, I don't think you're human if you leave them there," she said.

"If you attempt to get the joey and the mother starts grunting or trying to get up and chase you, then you just back off.

"If it's near town or where you can get help, wait for the police or someone to come and euthanise the mother, otherwise you're stressing the joey out.

"You do not pick it up by the legs, always grab it by the tail because the tail won't hurt it. If the joey is a little bit bigger you can guide it into a pillowcase because it will hop for you.

"Just remember: they've got an alien person picking them up and they will hiss and scratch and do what they want to do to get away from them.

"You need to be very careful."

Into the wild

Ms Kirkland lives on a property in Parkes and has worked as a WIRES volunteer for almost nine years.

Once the animals have made a full recovery and are strong enough to survive on their own, she releases them back into the wild.

Diane Kirkland and a joey on her farm near Parkes. ( ABC Western Plains: Ann Carter )

Looking after joeys has become second nature and she has lost track of the number she has rescued.

"Once they don't have a bottle any more, they are not in a yard anymore, they just roam the property," Ms Kirkland said.

"If they do come home, they lie on the lawn, I always leave a bucket of water out for them, I leave pellets out for them in case they need something extra besides the dry grass."