Many Wisconsin drivers may already know that more accidents involving deer occur in November than any other month of the year. The possibility of being involved in a deer vs. car accident in Wisconsin is 78.7 to one. The state ranks 7th in the nation when it comes to accidents involving deer.
Auto insurance carrier State Farm is advising drivers to remember that if you see one deer, more are likely to follow. Using high beams at night may give drivers an edge in spotting deer on the side of the road. Deer are unpredictable, and drivers shouldn't rely on deer whistles.
Drivers owe a duty of reasonable care not only to the passengers in their vehicle, but also to the other vehicles on the road. Every Wisconsin driver may want to pay extra attention during deer season in order to avoid becoming a statistic. A collision with a deer can cause extensive property damage and serious, or even fatal, injuries. Some accidents may not even involve a driver hitting the deer. Avoiding an accident with a deer can just as easily lead to an accident that could potentially involve other vehicles.
When factors such as speed or driver impairment are a factor in a deer vs. car accident, injured parties, or the family of a fatally injured party, have the right to file a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim against the driver. If it can be proven that a party's negligence either contributed to or caused the injuries or death of the victim, our state laws provide for reimbursement of damages incurred. Costs typically include expenses such as medical bills, lost wages and funeral expenses as well as other damages permitted by law. Money can't heal injuries or bring back dead loved ones, but it can help with the financial recovery after suffering an accident caused by the negligence of another.
Source: JSOnline.com, "Wisconsin ranks 7th in deer-vehicle accidents," Paul Gores, Oct. 23, 2012