Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog
To be sure, the beautiful fall colors bring everyone out to the country. But fall also is a time for increased deer collisions. Dangerous? You bet. More than one car or truck accident has been caused by deer randomly crossing Maryland’s roads. Trying to avoid a deer on the highway can also have unintended consequences, such as vehicle rollovers or hitting another vehicle. In such cases, serious injury or even death can result.
As Maryland automobile accident attorneys, we know the damage a 400-pound buck can cause as it crashes through a vehicle’s windshield. It’s wise during these cooler days to be aware of the area you’re driving in; and make certain that if you’re a passenger you remind the driver to proceed with caution in areas with high incidences of deer collisions.
According to a recent study by State Farm Insurance, the rate of car versus deer collisions in the United States has gone up by 18.3 percent in the past five years. Released just last month, the report estimated there were 2.4 million incidents in which deer and vehicles collided in the two-year period between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009 – that’s about 100,000 every month.
West Virginia remained the state with the highest likelihood of a deer strike with a 1-in-39 chance a drive will end up in a too-close encounter with a deer that can cause serious injury to the motorist and extensive body damage to the car. Michigan was the next most-likely state to hit a deer followed by Pennsylvania and Iowa.
The study said early evening and the late-autumn months were most likely times for collisions to occur. For safety, drivers are urged to be wary of posted deer-crossings, use their high-beam headlights when driving in the country and remember that deer are herd animals, so if you see one there are probably others nearby.
Deer crashes in U.S. up in past five years, UPI.com, September 28, 2009