Personal injury from car accidents increase along with deer in the Fall

Many car accidents occurring during the months of October, November and December have nothing to do with the weather. Deer, animals that are abundant in the Midwest, especially during the fall season, cause more than 28,000 car accidents per year in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. These accidents, which often result in personal injury or sometimes fatalities, more than triple during the last three months of the year, the results of which are often seen by our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys. The state of Ohio ranks number four out of the states with the most auto-deer collisions, according to CNN.com. And since many of these types of accidents are never reported, ODOT estimates that there are more than 60,000 deer-related car crashes every year. To help prevent car accidents involving deer, ODOT recommends paying close attention to deer-crossing signs on roads and to obey all posted driving rules. Many crashes with deer occur before dawn or after sunset, so watch for the animals at these times, and remember that if one deer is spotted, it is likely that others will follow. Using high beams after dark will illuminate a deer’s eyes, allowing for more reaction time. If you come upon a deer, slow down and honk the horn with one long blare to scare it away. As always, wear your seatbelt at all times, as a driver or passenger, any time you are in a vehicle.