Dangers of Fall: About Deer Versus Car Accidents
Each year, more than a million car accidents occur involving a deer and a motor vehicle, according to a study recently conducted by State Farm Insurance.
The data released in the study shows that nearly a 7% decrease in deer versus car accidents has taken place from last year to this year.
Unfortunately, October and November represent the two most dangerous months for hitting a deer. More than 18% of all accidents occur in the 30 days of November.
Also according to the study, the chance of a driver in West Virginia hitting a deer is 1 in 53, the greatest risk of any place in the United States. For those drivers in Hawaii, on the other hand, they have the least chance of colliding with a deer on the road.
Here, in North Carolina, the chance of being involved in a deer collision is 1 in 139, a relatively high possibility, as it is considered to be a “high risk state” by the study.
According to another study by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were more than 19,500 animal-related car accidents reported in each year for the last three years, with 90% of them involving deer.
The study also notes that the average cost of car repair after a collision with a deer is more than $3,000, which can be very pricy and unaffordable in today’s society.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident after striking a deer, immediately talk to the Raleigh personal injury attorney from the Whitley Law Firm to understand your rights and options at the time.
Avoiding Deer-related Car Accidents
As we have shown, those living in our area are at a high risk to be involved in a deer versus car accident. With deer a prominent mammal running free in the North Carolina community and surrounding areas, it is best to take precautions to help lower your chances of being involved in a car accident.
The following are several tips to help you reduce your chances of hitting a deer:
- Make sure that you are keenly aware of deer crossing signs. These are strategically placed in areas where deer have been known to cross roads during migration and mating season.
- Deer are most active between 6pm and 9pm, so avoid using roadways if at all possible or use high-beam headlamps at night. This will allow you to see a greater area in the chance that a deer enters the roadway.
- Remember that deer travel in herds, so if you see one there may be others close by.
- If a deer collision appears to be inevitable, do not swerve in hopes of avoiding the deer; this may put you on the opposite side of the road into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road.
After being involved in an auto accident, do not panic. Immediately dial 911 and seek medical treatment. Next, talk to your Raleigh personal injury attorney from the Whitley Law Firm to find out if you are eligible for compensation and what your rights are at the time.
To learn more about deer versus car accidents in North Carolina and the surrounding areas, contact a Raleigh personal injury lawyer from our office today.