Deer, Other Animals Pose Serious Driver Dangers

N/A way over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house this holiday season, be on the lookout for deer. Soaring deer populations and increased holiday travel can be a dangerous combination for motorists—especially uninsured ones, warns the <%=company%> (IIAA).

Animals—including deer—were listed as a factor in 142 reported fatal crashes in 1997, an increase of 11 percent over 1996 and 25 percent over 1995, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS). And November is the deadliest month for motorists. Overall, November ranks first in the number of fatal crashes and second in the total number of crashes involving motorist death, injury or property damage, says FARS.

Although most deer and other animal-related accidents do not involve human fatalities, more than 16,000 such accidents each year result in injuries, and over 250,000 in damaged or totaled cars, says FARS. That adds up to more than $1 billion in insurance claims annually.

The good news: Those motorists with proper auto insurance should be fully insured for damages resulting from a deer or other animal-related collision. The bad news: Those who opt to go without the comprehensive and collision components of their auto insurance will often be hit with repair costs averaging $1,300 or more.

Exactly how many motorists fit into this at-risk category? "It's pretty prevalent," says Charles T. Brown, vice president of Baker Welman Brown Insurance in Kennett, MO. "Most people think about hitting another car, not an animal. This is one of those situations where people do not realize all the other things their insurance covers." Brown, who has handled quite a few deer-related claims, says he has seen damage estimates reach $5,000.

Driving without liability insurance is even riskier, experts say. Most deer-related accidents involve only one car. However "if a motorist swerves away from an animal and hits another car or another's property, he will likely be liable for any damage that occurs," Madelyn Flannagan, IIAA consumer information manager, points out. "Foregoing liability coverage could mean an even bigger hit to one's wallet."

Statistics show the overall number of collisions involving animals has remained relatively steady over the last few years. But while FARS reported 275,000 automobile collisions with animals in 1995 that resulted in human injury or property damage and about 270,000 in 1996—approximately 4 percent of all such crashes, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that accidents involving deer alone may be almost double that number. And animal-related crashes are not a danger relegated to a specific area of the country: Fatal accidents involving animals occurred in at least 40 states in 1996, the most in Texas.

Still, experts point out, most deer-related accident fatalities occur in rural areas where the animals are prevalent, speed limits are higher and roads wind through heavily wooded areas. This is not surprising since almost 60 percent of all auto accident fatalities occur in rural areas. But increasingly, these incidents are becoming an urban and suburban phenomenon. Heavily populated areas are now experiencing serious deer-related accidents as suburban development infringes upon deer and other animal habitats, warns the IIAA. "All motorists need to be on the lookout for danger this time of year," concludes Flannagan.

IIAA offers the following tips for holiday motorists:

• Be alert when passing through a deer crossing zone. Remember, the signs were put there for a reason.
• Drive cautiously during hunting season, early evening and early morning hours when deer are particularly active. Even in urban and suburban areas, rush hour commuters should be particularly alert for animals.
• Always wear your seat belt. Most people seriously injured in deer-related crashes were not buckled up.
• If you see a deer on the road, slow down and blow your horn to scare it away. Deer often fixate on headlights, so it may not be effective to just flash your lights.
• Look for other deer after one has crossed the road. Deer seldom run alone.
• If unable to stop to avoid hitting a deer, do not swerve. It is better to hit the deer head- on. The most serious injuries to motorists or passengers occur when a driver swerves to avoid a deer, but hits a fixed object or moving car. Ideally, to reduce damage and likelihood of injury, a motorist should brake until just before the point of impact, then accelerate to lift the hood to prevent the animal from flying up onto the windshield.
• If you hit a deer, don't touch it. If it is alive, it may be dangerous. Call your state or local police to report the accident.
• immediately report any injury or damage to your insurance agent or company.