Not all car accidents involve two vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates there are approximately 1.5 million car crashes in the United States that involve deer or other animals/livestock. The number of fatalities has risen by 100% over the past 15 years reaching approximately 200 annually. These are dangers that cannot be effectively taken into account and reduced. Animals are able to move about freely in unpredictable patterns and it is unrealistically expensive to confine deer and other wild animals. Efforts can be taken to protect against domesticated animals such as horses, cows, and sheep, but even among domesticated animals there are populations of animals that have escaped and become wild. Among the domesticated animals there are many that live in the wild, among others there are wild horses, burros, and pigs. Even though there is not much control over wild animals there are some seasons where there is some degree of control to the extent that we know the dangers are particularly high. Some parts of the year are considered more dangerous than others, because animals tend move.

October – December (deer season) are considered the most dangerous months, which coincide with the deer’s mating season (Rutt). Deer are nocturnal creatures and pose the highest risk of being involved in an accident from dusk to dawn. They also tend to travel in packs, so if you see one be prepared to look out for others. In California rural areas are not as common place as other parts of the country, but nonetheless accidents with wild animals and domestic animals are common. Accidents of this nature are more apt to occur in more rural areas like Chico, Oroville, Loomis, Penryn, Auburn, Wheatland, Woodland, Yuba City and Marysville.

There is often very little one can do to avoid a collision with a deer, that is why it is very important to drive with caution near deer or animal crossing signs. Most car accident deaths occur when an individual is ejected from the car. Upon ejection individuals often hit their head against a hard surface and die. For this reason it is very important to always wear your seat belt to protect you when you have been in an auto accident. Some say that one thing to do if a collision is eminent is to brake and hold the wheel straight. Other experts say that it is best to accelerate to increase the force and minimize damage to the vehicle and your body. I am not which of this is the correct thing to do when involved in a collision with a deer, but it seems to be the improbable action of accelerating. After you have come to a complete stop call 911 to report the accident, especially if someone is hurt, there is property damage, and if you plan on filing a claim with your insurance carrier. After you call 911, contact your insurance company immediately advising them of the auto accident. Accidents in which the driver strikes an animal, such as a deer or elk, are usually covered by your automobile insurance for damage to the vehicle. That extra penny you paid to get collision insurance and comprehensive may avoid the need for a lawyer and pay off when you suffer this type of an accident.

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