The annual mating season of the whitetail deer, also known as the “rut,” starts in October and stretches through December in Indiana. This is the time when drivers should be aware of the deer population. It is because these animals are the most active during this time of year.
During these three months, a Fort Wayne driver is more likely to find a deer carcass on the road than ever. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that deer-related collisions result in roughly 200 human fatalities each year. Some numbers may be missing due to being unreported.
If you were in a deer-related car accident and suffered from injuries, you may be questioning who pays for your damages. For legal assistance, it is best not to become your own lawyer and talk to someone professional at the Delventhal Law Office.
Your chances of hitting a deer in Indiana
The data from the Indiana Department of Transportation says that there were over 15,000 deer-related accidents in 2019 alone. Annually more than 14,000 of them are reported almost every year. The Indiana Department of Transportation urges drivers to stay alert during the fall months on Indiana highways.
About 50 percent of the total crashes involving a deer take place between the months of October and December. This is because the deer mating season usually begins in late October. Moreover, farmers harvest their crops during this timeframe as well. Therefore, these animals are always on the hunt for food.
According to State Farm Insurance, your odds of hitting a deer in Indiana is one in 142. While you may think encountering this is highly unlikely due to this statistic, these accidents do happen, and you can become a part of the statistic if you are not careful.
Avoiding a deer collision in Indiana
If you live in Indiana, you cannot completely remove your chances of meeting with a deer on the road. However, the steps you take next will determine your safety. Here is what you can do:
- Know when deers are most active: Deer biologists say that these animals can be found at night but are most active at dawn and dusk. The frequency may increase during the mating season.
- Know that they roam in a group: If you encounter one deer on the road, keep an eye out for others. These animals usually roam around in a group or at least in a pair of two. It often happens that a motorist hits a deer after they have seen one before.
- Go slower: If you are in an area that is known for deer-related collisions (you will likely see road signs), go slower than usual. Speed is a major factor in all types of accidents, deer or not. If you are going slow and you see a deer, you can control your vehicle.
- Should you steer or swerve?: Steering is always safer than swerving. Swerving and changing the direction of your vehicle abruptly without sound judgment can result in you hitting a tree and acquiring grave injuries.
- Be prepared: Preparedness entails knowing how to react in such situations. Drivers believe that honking and flashing the lights will prevent deer from running in front of the vehicle, but none of those things work. Boggess, a deer biologist, is of the opinion that rear-facing LED lights work the best.
Proceeding with caution
When crossing a path that is known to have deer encounters, be extra cautious. Most car accidents take place because drivers are negligent towards the deer crossing road signs and go at high speeds.
Stay alert, reduce your speed, and scan the sides of the road with your peripheral vision. These proactive measures can significantly lower your risk of a deer collision.
If you do have a deer-related collision, get to a safe location and call the police. If you believe another driver was involved in the accident and might be at fault, call an attorney in Indiana today!
