Statistics compiled by the Insurance Alliance of Michigan as well as the Michigan State Police reveal that in Midland County, there were 26,158 motor vehicle accidents between 2006 and 2015 with a large number of these accidents occurring in the fall.
Many of these accidents also involved drivers who struck deer. In 2017, approximately 51,000 vehicular accidents occurred in Michigan involving deer, which led to 1,100 injuries and 16 deaths. At this same time each year when deer mate, hunters are allowed to hunt deer. With an increased number of deer in the woods, more deer flee onto Michigan’s roads, making the fall a dangerous time for drivers on Michigan roadways. Car accidents involving deer in Michigan can be extremely serious and even deadly.
Exercise Proper Preventative Measures
It is important to remember that deer travel in groups. This means that if you are driving and see one deer on the road, there are likely several other deer nearby. This means that you should slow down while passing through deer crossing areas as well as any other area where you might notice deer. A large number of deer are located near bridges, overpasses, and railroad tracks, which means that drivers should exercise a greater degree of caution in these areas.
Wear Your Seat Belt
It is critical to always wear your seat belt. While this will not exactly help you avoid deer, in case you end up striking one, this will help to substantially decrease the severity of any injuries that you incur.
Drive with Your High Beams On
When traveling alone on the road, turn your high beams on and look for the eyes of deer reflected in your headlights. Deer are mesmerized by lights, which means that flashing your vehicles lights can help to scare these animals away.
Slow Down
Slow down in deer crossing zones and press on your vehicle’s horn preemptively to scare the deer away. In these situations, it is also a wise idea to increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars on the road. If the vehicle ahead of you strikes a deer and you are traveling too closely, there is a risk that you will end up colliding with it.
Avoid Swerving
Swerving to avoid impact with a deer often results in losing control of your vehicle, which can lead to much more serious accidents. Instead, if you can not avoid an accident, it is often a better idea to strike the animal.
Speak with a Lawyer
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident with a deer, the results can be particularly serious. In situations in which another party might have also been responsible for the accident, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer from Clare, MI. Contact the Michigan auto accident lawyers at Jay Trucks & Associates today to speak with a skilled attorney who will remain committed to obtaining the compensation that you deserve.
