According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), motorists in the United States drive an average of approximately 13,000 miles every year, with many of these drivers encountering animals during their travels. When a collision occurs between a vehicle and an animal, this endangers both humans and animals, highlighting the importance of keeping wildlife away from roads to prevent injuries and fatalities. Learn about accidents involving animals crossing the street, and discover how a Virginia traffic law attorney can assist with legal claims associated with wildlife-vehicle collisions; contact Driving Defense Law today by calling (757) 929-0335.
What Are Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions?
A wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) refers to an incident involving a vehicle coming into contact with a wild animal on a road, impacting wildlife conservation and human safety. These incidents commonly occur in areas where natural habitats intersect with roadways, and they can result in deaths and injuries for humans and animals.
WVCs involve numerous animals, including large mammals such as moose, elk, and deer, as well as smaller animals like amphibians, reptiles, and birds, with the likelihood of the collision often depending on the animal’s behavior and size. The following factors typically cause these types of collisions:
- Road design: Some roads are closer to natural habitats and animal migration routes than others, making it more likely for accidents to occur in these locations.
- Animal behavior: Animals can behave differently depending on the time of year, which can influence the chances of WVCs occurring; for instance, during breeding and migration periods, animals could be more likely to cross roadways.
- Human actions: These factors include visibility, driver speed, and motorist awareness.
What Animal Causes the Most Car Accidents?
In the vast majority of states, deer cause most motor vehicle accidents. Another common animal type involved in these collisions is birds; these incidents typically occur in more rural areas where the roads are wider and the speed limits are higher, and they can involve birds perching on the road, low-flying birds, and larger swooping birds such as barn owls. Other animals often part of these incidents include squirrels, coyotes, skunks, turtles, raccoons, rabbits, dogs, and cats.
What Do Drivers Do When There Is an Animal Around That Tends To Cause a Collision?
Wildlife on the road can act in unexpected ways, causing hazards for motorists, particularly in the fall and winter. However, many of these incidents are preventable. With this in mind, here are some tips for avoiding WVCs.
Check the Road Ahead
Be sure to continuously scan roadways for animals when driving, as this gives motorists ample time to react. Alongside this, remember that animals often travel in groups, so be on the lookout for more than one.
Explore wildlife-vehicle collisions in greater detail, including those involving animals crossing the street, and find out how Driving Defense Law can help victims of these incidents. Contact our firm today to speak to a seasoned Virginia traffic law attorney.
Utilize High Beams
When there is no approaching traffic, utilize the vehicle’s high-beam headlights. This enables wild animals to spot the vehicle, and it allows motorists to timely spot wildlife, adjust their speed, sound the horn, and move over to avoid a collision.
Avoid Swerving
If it is not possible to avoid a collision, brake firmly and stay in the lane. Avoid swerving since this could result in motorists losing control, which may lead to a more severe crash, such as colliding with another car or rolling the vehicle.
Stay Vigilant at Dawn and Dusk
Many animals, particularly deer, are more active during the start and end of the day, making them more likely to cross roads at these times. Motorists can help avoid WVCs by staying extra cautious when driving at dawn and dusk.
Be Cautious in Areas with More Wildlife
Some areas have higher levels of wildlife than others, and these locations may have road signs indicating this. Be wary of these signs, and when noticing them, reduce the vehicle’s speed and remain vigilant. Additionally, during mating or hunting seasons, remember that there is a greater degree of wildlife movement.
Adopt Safe Driving Practices
Adopting standard safe driving practices can help avoid WVCs or mitigate the consequences if involved in these incidents. This includes always wearing a seat belt while driving, staying alert, not driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances, not using a smartphone or other device that can cause driver distraction, and avoiding driving when tired.
What Are the Consequences of a WVC?
The severity of a WVC depends on several factors including the speed of the vehicle, as well as the size of the animal and how fast the animal was moving toward the vehicle at the time of impact. A WVC often results in animal injury or death, and it can also cause physical injuries to the vehicle’s driver and passengers, in addition to fatalities and emotional trauma. Another consequence of a WVC is the damage caused to the vehicle.
Where Are WVCs Likely To Occur?
WVCs involving animals of all sizes, including larger mammals such as deer, are more likely to occur on country roads or in quiet neighborhoods. However, WVCs also take place in busier neighborhoods and on highways; these accidents typically involve smaller mammals and reptiles.
What To Do if Involved in an Animal-Vehicle Collision
Although many WVCs only involve one vehicle, colliding with an animal may result in the involvement of other vehicles, potentially leading to multiple liable parties. If a WVC leads to a person’s injury, there could be a possible legal claim. Follow the steps below if involved in an animal-vehicle collision and seeking compensation:
- Submit a police report; this ensures there is effective documentation concerning the incident and results in police officers taking witness statements regarding the collision.
- Speak to animal control, as they can ensure the animal is properly treated; they might also be able to provide details of how the accident occurred.
- Seek medical attention immediately to identify injuries early on, even if no symptoms are showing.
- File the claim swiftly, and consider speaking to an attorney.
Contact a Virginia Traffic Law Attorney To Learn More
Per the FHWA, an estimated 200 deaths per year occur on the roads due to collisions involving motor vehicles and animals, and many animals and individuals also suffer from severe injuries in these incidents. While some states may have higher numbers of these accidents than others, due to larger animal populations, one of the most effective ways of avoiding these collisions is to remain alert while driving. Gain a more detailed understanding of wildlife-vehicle collisions, and learn how an experienced Virginia traffic law attorney from Driving Defense Law can assist individuals involved in accidents concerning animals crossing the street; call our legal team at (757) 929-0335.
