When a car, truck, or SUV hits an animal, the results can be devastating and deadly. Approximately one and a half million motor vehicle accidents involving animals happen on American roads each year. Many of these accidents happen after dark, when it is harder for drivers to see animals. Some animals are more active at night, which also increases the risk of accidents. Dusk and dawn are other peak times for vehicle-animal collisions because of the activity patterns of other animals. There are also seasonal variations in the number of animal accidents due to migration, hunting seasons, mating, and other events which affect the movements of animals throughout their habitats. The weight and size of some animals can cause an enormous impact when they collide with a vehicle. During a collision, if the animal is tossed through the air, it can crash through the windshield or even flatten the roof of the car. When this happens, serious injuries and fatalities are likely to result.
Animals can be present anywhere along the road. Deer are commonly seen where there are open fields. In areas where there are trees or other tall plants along the road, animals can be hard to see until they are actually in the road. Also, some animals, like deer, are often found in groups. If you are driving and you see a deer, carefully scan the area for others that may be nearby.
If you cannot avoid hitting an animal that is in the road, do your best to hit it from an angle. This increases the chance that it will be deflected away from your car instead of into the air. If you hit an animal with your car, there is likely to be extensive damage to your car. Depending upon the terms of your car insurance policy, some or all of the damage and injuries which were caused by the animal-related accident may be covered by insurance. Sometimes, claims for damages in accidents that were caused by animals will not be paid by insurers unless there is a police report available. It is a good idea to call the police after an accident involving an animal anyways, because the animal must be removed from the roadway. Do not try to move dead or injured animals out of the road yourself, as it is very dangerous to do so.
Barrett Law PLLC: Top Quality Legal Representation for the Victims of Mississippi Car Accidents
Car accidents involving animals often result in both the driver and any passengers being severely injured or killed. If you have been injured, or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a wild or domestic animal, the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC want to help you. We will work hard to obtain recovery that meets your needs, while you focus on the important work of healing from your injuries or helping your family as they mourn their loss. Call the experienced automobile accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.