Texas Deer Accidents an Autumn Danger
It’s the season for deer accidents. Motorists are urged to use extra caution, particularly when driving after dusk through Thanksgiving. The last week of October and all of November are the deadliest time of the year for these dangerous accidents.
Our San Antonio injury attorneys understand these accidents can be deadly — most often when a driver swerving to avoid a deer loses control of his vehicle and drives off the road or into oncoming traffic. Keeping control of your vehicle is critical, even if you ultimately strike the animal. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports at least 200 drivers a year are killed in accidents with deer.
And a recent report by State Farm Insurance put the number of deer-involved traffic accidents each year at about 1 million. Believe it or not, Texas traffic accidents involving deer occur more than 43,000 times a year. Your chances of hitting a deer during any given year are 1 in 416 in Texas.
The probability of a single-vehicle deer crash nationwide increased from 1 in 183 to 1 in 171. Hawaii was the state where motorists were least likely to be struck by a deer. With odds of 1 in 6,801, your chances of hitting a deer in Hawaii are roughly equivalent to your lifetime chance of being struck by lightning.
A report several years ago by The New York Times found the number of deer crashes nationwide is on the risk. October and November are particularly dangerous because of hunting season. Deer are also in mating season and are foraging for food in preparation for winter. All of these factors mean deer are more likely to be on the go, and to cross paths with motor vehicles.
Deer Accident Safety Tips:
-Slow down: Reducing your speed, especially after dark, permits more time to react.
Dawn & Dusk: Are the most active times for deer and demand drivers pay particular attention.
-Don’t swerve: Which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
-Deer Crossing Signs: Are posted in areas where deer activity or accidents are frequent. Watch for the signs and use extra caution, but be mindful of the fact that no sign does not mean no deer.
-One Deer: If you see a deer while driving, remember there is likely more than one.
-High Beams: Using whenever possible will help to illuminate the side of the road.
Your avenue for collection in the wake of a deer accident depends upon the facts and circumstances of your particular case. Unfortunately, even if you are dealing with your own insurance company in the wake of a one-vehicle accident, you may find you need legal representation to be treated fairly. This is particularly true if you or a loved one has suffered serious or fatal injury. Motorists should not be lulled into a false sense of security simply because they are dealing with their own insurer. Contacting an experienced San Antonio accident attorney is the best bet to protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact The Herrera Law Firm, Inc., at 800-455-1054 for a confidential consultation.
