According
to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), “deer are the third most
commonly struck object in Wisconsin.”
However,
the deer are not the only ones suffering in these collisions. In 2010 deer
related accidents resulted in 14 deaths, 65 incapacitating injuries, and many
more less severe injuries. The reported 403 injured people in 2010 comprise the
4th lowest annual total in the last 30 years. However, May and June
of 2010 totaled 2,726 crashes, and formed a secondary peak of reported Slip And Fall Lawyer Milwaukee to those occurring during the fall. These
statistics are based on crashes reported by the police, but many more deer
carcasses are taken off the roads suggesting that actual collisions are much
higher than reported. While this could mean that most collisions do not result
in serious personal injury, the deer also pose a significant threat to the
vehicle.
The
following safety tips offered by the Wisconsin DOT address both how to prevent
collisions with deer and what to do should you hit one.
Be aware of the time
and remember that you are more likely to encounter a deer in the early morning
and evening hours.
Eliminate distractions
while driving and look out for deer, particularly, the glowing eyes on the side
of the road.
Always wear a safety belt;
crashes where safety belts were worn resulted in less severe injuries.
If you do see a deer by
the side of the road, slow down and blow your horn once for a long blast to
frighten the animal away.
Remember, if you see
one deer, more are likely around.
If you see a deer in
your headlights, don’t expect it to move, headlights can confuse the animal and
cause it to freeze.
Do not swerve; not only
does swerving increase your risk of hitting another vehicle or an object, but
it will also confuse the deer and the animal will not know where to run.
Motorcyclists however
are encouraged to swerve when absolutely necessary to avoid a collision after
taking every precaution and avoiding the oncoming lane.
If you do hit a deer,
try to get your Slip And Fall Milwaukee off the road and call the police; do not walk
toward the animal, walking on the road is dangerous to you, and other drivers.
If the animal is not dead, it can hurt you or itself trying to get up.
If you or a
loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another
person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free
consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that
is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our
conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.
Speak with one of our lawyers
right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial
consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”
