Wild Animal Collision?

Did you know that your chance of hitting a deer with your vehicle is 1 in 169?

PropertyCasulty360.com – has found statistics that say it is true. They also offerred these great tips about what to do to avoid a collision:

1. • Use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. This allows you to see more of the road and animals that may be on either side.
   • Wear your seatbelt and make sure children are buckled or in appropriate safety seats.
   • Be particularly alert at dusk and dawn, since this is when deer tend to be more active.
   • Avoid distracted driving. Taking your eyes off the road to check a text message means you can drive several hundred feet without seeing the road.
   • If a deer is near the road or in it, break firmly and slow down. They usually travel in herds, so the chances are there will be more than one around.
   • When a deer is in the middle of the road, blow your horn in one long blast to scare it away.
   • Do not swerve around the animal. Most serious accidents are caused by drivers turning into other lanes of traffic or hitting a pole, tree or another car.
   • Watch for road signs that identify areas more populated with deer.
   • Deer whistles, reflectors and other deterrents have not been proven effective in alerting or scaring off deer.
   • Make arrangements for roadside assistance ahead of time and check with your agent to see what kind of coverage you have in the event of an accident.

And more great advice on what to do if the collision is unavoidable:

• 1. Move your vehicle to the side of the road if it’s drivable and turn on your hazard lights. If you can’t drive it, turn on the hazard lights and move to a safe place.
  2. Call the police. While a police report isn’t always necessary for a claim, if other vehicles or property damage is involved, a report can be helpful. Also, the police can help in having the animal removed from the roadway if necessary.
  3. Take photos of the incident, the animal involved, the roadway, the area where the accident occurred, damage to the car, and injuries anyone sustained.
  4. Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information for your insurance company to follow up with later.
  5. Stay away from the injured animal; deer have strong legs and sharp hooves that could cause injuries.
  6. Contact your insurance agent to file the claim as soon as it is safe to do so.

Have you hit a deer or other wild animal? Please be safe on the roads this holiday season.