According to DMV.org, approximately 200 motorists die each year in the United States as a result of car-wildlife collisions. Now that the clocks have fallen back and the sun sets an hour earlier, the chances of encountering wildlife while driving are higher than ever. So what can you do to prevent your vehicle from coming into contact with wildlife on the road? Here are a few suggestions:
- Adjust your speed according to conditions – A big factor in avoiding wildlife crashes is to give yourself enough time to see the animal, process the situation and bring your vehicle to a stop. Therefore, you should decrease your speed during times of low visibility or when roads are wet to ensure that you have adequate time to react to wildlife.
- If you see one animal, assume there are more – Most of the time, animals such as deer travel in groups. With this in mind, you should always slow down and be on the lookout for more animals if you see one cross the road in front of you.
- Take extra caution when driving in areas marked with animal-crossing signs – These signs are here for a reason, so be sure to reduce your speed and be on high alert whenever you see one.
- Look out for wildlife when the roads are salted – In the winter when road salt is put down, wildlife often use it as a snacking opportunity. Therefore, you should keep this in mind and be ready to hit the brakes at a moment’s notice when driving on salted roads.
- Know when to swerve – To swerve or not to swerve? That is the question when it comes to wildlife in the road. For small animals such as deer and antelope, experts recommend not swerving. Instead, you should blow your horn, lock the brakes and duck under the dashboard if possible. However, for larger animals such as moose, which can weigh up to 1,600 pounds, it’s best to swerve out of the way to reduce the effects of the collision. You probably won’t be seeing any moose in the Philadelphia area any time soon, but this is good information to know in case you travel to places where these huge animals live.
Now that you’re equipped with these tips, you’re prepared to handle wildlife run-ins you may have while driving.
Call Us for Assistance with Accident Cases
Whether it’s a wildlife encounter, poor road design or a negligent motorist, there are many ways you can be injured or killed while driving that are out of your control. If you or a loved one has experienced one of these unfortunate situations, it’s time to contact our accident attorney in Bucks County. When you come to the Heslin Law Firm, we’ll provide you with personalized service and do everything in our power to help you battle the insurance companies. In turn, we’ll give you the best possible chance of receiving the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering, medical bills and more. That’s why we’re known as the accident lawyer Bucks County can rely on.
If you’re ready to discuss your case, call 215-332-0300 or visit us online now. And if you haven’t already seen our post on avoiding autumn slips and falls, be sure to check it out. We thank you for keeping up with our Bucks County accident attorney!