Pennsylvania Deer Car Accident: Issues and Tips
Who Pays After a Deer Car Accident?
Do you know what the most dangerous animal in the United States is? It isn’t a grizzly bear. It’s not a cougar. It isn’t even a rattle snake. It’s a deer.
We tend to think of deer as harmless. But, deer cause more deaths than any other species of animals in the U.S. These deaths aren’t caused by wild deer attacks or even deer disease. They are the result of deer-car accidents.
Each year, deer cause about one million traffic accidents. Many of these accidents are minor, but some are serious. Deer-car accidents cause about 10,000 serious injuries and 200 deaths a year. Collisions with deer also cause more than $1 billion in vehicle damage.
Pennsylvania Deer Car Accidents
According to State Farm insurance claims, Pennsylvania is second in the nation for deer-car accidents (following West Virginia). The risk of deer-car accidents is greatest in the fall when deer are mating.
As the weather cools, it is important that all drivers be aware of deer on the roads. Our accident attorneys have provided these tips for preventing Pennsylvania deer-car crashes.
- Pay attention to deer crossing signs. These signs mean that there is a high likelihood that deer are in the area.
- Avoid distractions. Deer are hard to see, especially at night. Keep your eyes on the road.
- Use your high beams when driving at night. Your high beams will allow you to scan the sides of the road for deer. Turn off your high beams if another car approaches you.
- Do not depend on car-mounted deer whistles. These do not work.
- If you see a deer, slow down, turn on your hazard lights, and come to a stop. Don’t swerve – even if an accident is inevitable. Swerving may cause you to crash into another vehicle or lose control of your car.
- Wait for the deer to move out of your path. Do not use the horn to startle the deer; the deer may jump towards your vehicle.
- If you see one deer, expect more. Deer tend to travel in groups.
- Buckle up. If you hit a deer, your seatbelt could save your life.
Compensation for Deer-Car Accidents
Your car insurance may not cover deer accidents. If you live in an area with a high deer population, it is a good idea to check your insurance coverage. You may need to add additional coverage to cover your injuries and property damage in the event of a deer-related crash.
Many deer-related accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Some accidents are caused because a driver swerved to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle. Other accidents occur when drivers follow vehicles too closely. When the first driver slows down for a deer in the road, the second driver doesn’t have time to react. In these cases, you may be eligible for compensation.
If an accident with a deer has left you injured, give us a call. Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys will look over your insurance policy and let you know about your options for compensation. Call (484) 351-0350 to schedule a free consultation.