Collisions involving deer and elk spike across the United States from October through December, as the animals are continuously moving to seek new habitats to breed and forage for food. More than 1.5 million accidents involving deer take place every year in the U.S., causing over $1 billion in vehicle damage. hitting a deer
Accidents happen, even to the most vigilant driver, so if a deer jumps out in front of you, here’s what you can do.
Steps to Take After Hitting a Deer
- Attempt to move your vehicle to the side of the road
- Use your hazard lights
- Call local law enforcement or the state patrol
- Don’t approach or attempt to move an injured animal
- Take photos of the crash, the damage to your vehicle, and the roadway where it occurred
- Fill out an accident report
- Contact your California Casualty agent as soon as possible at 1.800.800.9410
Deer can be found in many different landscapes and are on the move from dusk until dawn. So much so, there is no real way to avoid them. However, you can reduce your chances of hitting a deer by following these steps:
- Don’t drive distracted
- Don’t speed, especially in rural/wooded areas
- Use high beams at night when there is no oncoming traffic
- Continuously scan the road for movement on the sides
- Pay attention to wildlife warning signs
- Honk your horn if you see a deer, to scare them away from the road (they often travel together)
- If a deer runs out in front of you, hit your breaks immediately, do not swerve
In the event of an accident, make sure you have the correct coverage, call a representative today to review your policy.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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