In areas of the country where the deer population is high, hitting a deer can be a major concern. These accidents can be very serious, and the number of deaths related to car-deer accidents is increasing every year. However, if you know what to do when a deer runs in front of your vehicle you can minimize potential damage and injury.
Don’t Swerve
When a deer jumps in front of your car, your first instinct may be to try and swerve to miss it. You should never do this, as swerving may cause a more dangerous accident than actually hitting the deer. You could potentially swerve into a ditch, a tree, or oncoming traffic. In this situation, the best thing you can do is to keep your steering wheel entirely straight.
Slow Down Safely
While you should hit your brakes, don’t do so if you might lose control of your vehicle. Be aware of any traffic that may be behind you, and if hitting the brakes could cause an accident with other vehicles, it may be better to simply hit the deer.
Don’t Speed Up
Some people believe that speeding up is the best route to go if you are about to hit a deer, and this idea believes that accelerating will lift the front of your vehicle which in turn reduces the chance that a deer will hit the windshield. While this might work on some cars, it is generally not a good idea. Reducing your speed will decrease the amount of damage that is done to your car and the chance of injury. Additionally, if you are able to slow down you may be able to avoid hitting the deer entirely.
If you do become injured after a car-deer accident, visit your chiropractor in Atlanta, GA for your recovery. AICA has a variety of experienced professionals that can help you get back on your feet in no time.
