Look Out For the Bucks to Save Big Bucks On Collision Repairs

Imagine that you're traveling down the road at the conclusion of your day, when suddenly you say “Oh Dear?” as a huge head of antlers smashes into your front fender.

You can easily prevent a vehicle collision with a buck – and shelling out plenty of bucks on the damage – by adhering to a couple practical driving tips this winter. On a yearly basis, one and a half million motorists smash a deer, and the winter weather months are peak season for deer-vehicle accidents.

Deer crashes lead to no less than $1.1 billion annually in automobile damage, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Typically, the accidents cost $2,800 for every claim, and as high as $10,000 when there is injury to the motorist or a passenger, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute.

The Dangers Are Not Only in Remote Areas

The main states for deer-related accidents range through the entire nation, and no longer are these accidents consigned to agricultural areas. The top ten deer danger states are:

1.   Pennsylvania
2.   Michigan
3.   Illinois
4.   Ohio
5.   Georgia
6.   Minnesota
7.   Virginia
8.   Indiana
9.   Texas
10.   Wisconsin

Drive Defensively In Order To Avoid Deer Perils

Morning hours and sundown are the very worst times for deer accidents, since visibility is restricted and deer are usually moving around. It is very important to drive defensively and anticipate the potential for deer in the road so you're able to safely stop and steer clear of the crash.

The auto experts at Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO, who repair many vehicles every year from deer-related mishaps, provide the tips below to lessen the deer danger:

1.   Use extreme care at dawn and sunset, and near golf courses, fields and wooded places.
2.   Try not to rely on equipment such as deer whistles, which are connected to the exterior of an automobile, in order to scare off deer with an ultrasonic or high-frequency sound. They haven't been proven to reduce deer-vehicle crashes.
3.   Do not swerve to prevent yourself from hitting a deer, since that increases the possibility of hitting another vehicle or losing control over your car.
4.   If a deer remains on the road whenever you strike it, report the accident to the game commission or a local police agency, as the deer poses a risk to other motorists. If the deer may still be alive, do not get close to it as a wild animal with sharp hooves has the potential to cause injuries.
5.   Understand that deer generally move about in packs – if you identify one, you'll find more behind it.
6.   If there's no oncoming traffic, use high beams at night to better light up deer.

Preparation is Sensible Defense

If the car accident with a deer really does take place, it's smart to be protected. Many drivers don't understand that holding only collision coverage doesn't address damage from a deer collision, resulting in a damaged vehicle and a large repair bill.

To completely cover any potential damage, drivers ought to possess thorough insurance coverage that extends to that sort of crash. For those taking an older vehicle who think their vehicles are not really worth the price of the insurance policy, it's wise to keep an “accident fund” if anything does occur.

For more great tips on dealing with an auto accident or getting your vehicle fixed following a collision, visit www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair offers high-quality and reliable repair in Arnold, Missouri, as well as Imperial, Oakville, and Jeffco.