You are driving along outside of town one day when another driver crashes into you. They swerved to avoid hitting an animal. Drivers can panic when they an animal in the road in front of them, and react on impulse or instinct by swerving into the opposing lane.
Animals play a role in many Nevada crashes. That is why the state has invested in measures to reduce the chance that drivers crash into animals. These include underpasses for animals to cross the road and rumble strips to slow drivers in areas where animals are likely to appear.
How can drivers reduce the risk of dangerous animal encounters?
You can reduce your own risk of running into an animal on the road by using the following tips:
- Slow down: Going slower in areas where animals are common gives you more time to apply the brakes if you spot one. It is especially critical at night due to reduced vision.
- Where there is one animal, expect more: Animals such as deer often travel in herds. If you spot one by the side of the road, there is a good chance there may be others around the bend. Knowing this can help you keep an eye out for trouble.
- Think like an animal: Most of the big beasts you need to avoid when driving prefer to travel during the cooler times of day — dawn and dusk are especially active periods for animal activity. They need to drink, so if you pass the only patch of water for a few miles, that is another place you could expect them.
When a driver crashes into you while trying to avoid an animal, chances are they were not driving appropriately. They may have been speeding, distracted, or ignoring the signs warning of animals in the area. While you may have sympathy for the other driver, that shouldn’t stop you from seeking fair compensation for your losses.
