Category Archives: Deer-Vehicle Collisions

Odds Of A Vehicle – Deer Collisions In The U.S. Doubles In October, November & December

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State Farm insurance company released a study today that says that the odds of a U.S. driver colliding with a deer is about 1 out of 169. According to the study, those odds double over October, November and December due to deer hunting season.  “Periods of daily high-deer movement around dawn and dusk as well as seasonal behavior patterns, such as during the October-December breeding season, increase the risk for auto-deer collisions,” said Ron Regan, executive director for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “Changes in collision rates from year to year are a reflection of changing deer densities or population levels – more deer in a given area increases the potential for collision. Deer populations are also affected by conditions such as new or improved roads with higher speeds near deer habitat, changes to hunting seasons to manage wildlife, winter conditions, and other related factors.”

State Farm provided a list of precautions when driving in areas that are high in deer population:

-Use extra caution in known deer zones.

-Always wear your seatbelt

At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams

-Avoid swerving when you see a deer Scan the road for deer and other danger signs

-Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles

Remember, if you are unfortunate enough to collide with a deer, and you are injured, you can be compensated for your injuries, medical bills and lost wages if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This is why it is so important to pay for full insurance coverage: including uninsured and underinsured.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago car accident or a Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

IDOT Provides Safety Tips To Drivers During Hunting Season

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Deer season is upon us in Illinois and those who live and drive in rural areas (and even in the suburbs) know that the roads can become dangerous if you are not paying attention. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a press release last months outlining the dangers of dealing with deer in the road and also provides some safety tips. The full press release can be read here.

Below is a list precautions that IDOT provided regarding driving during deer season:

·         –Be particularly cautious at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active.

·         –Keep track of locations where deer have been spotted in the past to avoid being surprised. 
 

·         –Reduce speed and be prepared to stop, especially near water, farm fields and wooded areas.
 

·         –Deer will cross the road and double back. Make sure deer have moved away before proceeding. 
 

·         –Be mindful that deer will follow each other. One deer can mean others are nearby or close behind. 
 

·         –Avoid swerving into traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway. Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along. 
 

·         –Flashing the headlights and honking the car horn will encourage deer to move off the road. 
 

·         –Alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping the brakes.

If you happen to be involved in an accident with a deer (through no fault of your own), there are certain avenues to be reimbursed for your injuries. The best way to protect you and your family if you are injured in an accident with a deer is to make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage. Typically, this type of coverage is used when a driver is involved in an accident with another driver who does not have insurance. This type of coverage helps pay for your car damage, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering from injuries when the other driver does not have insurance. The same type of coverage may apply if there is a car accident with a deer. It must be pointed out that for the coverage to apply, it must be shown that you (the driver) were not negligent or the cause of the accident.

Should you or someone you love become injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

November Brings The Most Vehicle Collisions With Deer

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USA Today reported this week about the dangers of driving during the month of November – – for one specific reason – – the high number of deer that wander out to roads. For those who grew or live in rural areas, they are familiar with large amount of deer that pop out of the woods this time of year. late October through early December is mating season for North American deer, reports Rob Found, a biologist from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton.  “Males are so focused on mating, they’re not thinking straight,” Found says. “They’re looking for mates and for other males to fight.”

This can be very dangerous for people driving at night, and sadly could have been the cause of a serious truck accident that killed seven people in Indiana last week.

For the fifth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a driver is most likely to run into a deer, State Farm reports. The other states in the top 10 are Iowa, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming.  State Farm reports that the number of deer/car collisions has actually decreased the past three years, likely because of the economy and people driving fewer miles.  However, over the five-year period 2005-09, 1,017 people died in vehicle-animal collisions, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In a 2004 study, IIHS found that 60% of people who died in such crashes in automobiles were not wearing seat belts.

The questions remains as to the best way to avoid these types of car crashes.  Professor Found performed a study which showed a dramatic decrease in the number of accidents in areas that have warning signs posted regarding possible dear crossings. The study showed that collisions dropped from 139 cases the previous year to 78 citywide once the signs were in place.  “Our study showed that warning signs really do reduce deer-vehicle collisions,” Found says.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384. Or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.