Preventing accidents with animals is something most drivers do on a regular basis, although some accidents are unavoidable. The random squirrel or rabbit that darts in front of a car can usually be avoided by gently applying the brakes. It is usually far more dangerous to stop suddenly or swerve out of your lane in order to avoid an accident with an animal than to just hit the animal. A driver must make that decision in a split section when faced with an animal in the roadway. More often than not, the driver behind a car stopping cannot see the animal in the roadway and that driver will not be prepared for a sudden stop. The result can be a rear-end collision resulting in injuries and damages to vehicles, drivers and passengers. The driver making impact from behind is not necessarily liable where a driver makes a sudden stop to avoid hitting an animal.
Devices to Avoid Accidents with Animals
There are devices a driver can install which are designed to frighten deer and other animals that might commonly run across a roadway, particularly at night. One such device attaches to a car’s front fender and makes a whistling noise as the car travels at highway speeds. The theory of the device is that the deer hear the whistling noise and run away from the highway rather than across or toward it.
Attentive Driving is Key
The safest way to avoid accidents with animals is to be constantly on the lookout for animals alongside roadways and be ready for the possibility that they will enter the roadway. Where there is one deer, there is almost always another and a driver should be looking for the second after seeing the first.
Avoiding accidents with animals requires attention on the part of the driver so anything that distracts the driver will interfere with the ability to avoid accidents. Talking on a cell phone, texting, or use of other electronic devices seriously impairs a driver’s ability to detect a problem before it happens thus enabling the driver to safely avoid contact with an animal. A driver who is inattentive is likely going to be liable for an accident, even if an animal may have played a role in causing the accident.
Getting Legal Help
An accident between cars which is caused by a driver attempting to avoid an accident with an animal has unique liability issues. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise a driver on what his options are regarding liability in such a unique situation.
