Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Accidents with a deer can often cause severe injury, both to the deer and the occupants of the vehicle that hit it. When drivers are about to hit a deer, their first instinct is often to swerve out of the way. However, swerving can cause drivers to collide with a vehicle in the opposite lane or drive off the road entirely. Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to injury. Unlike cars, motorcycles often lack the size and weight to absorb a collision with a deer. As a result, motorcycle riders must take extra precaution to stay safe in the event they encounter a deer on the road.
For example, a recent news article reported that two people suffered injuries after striking a deer. The accident occurred on a local roadway when a motorcycle rider hit a deer in the middle of the road. Both the motorcycle rider and his passenger suffered injuries, and the passenger required hospitalization.
What Should You Do If You See a Deer on the Road?
While you will likely encounter a deer on the road at least once, there are several steps you can take to stay safe on the road. Geico recommends a few simple safety tips to avoid an accident. First, minimize distractions when you are operating your vehicle. If your eyes are not focused on the road, you may not see a deer ahead of you. Additionally, if you are driving on a secluded road, use your bright lights so you can spot a deer as early as possible. This tip is important because deer tend to roam during periods of low light. Deer also will travel in packs: if you spot one deer in front of you, more are likely close behind. Finally, if your vehicle is about to approach a deer, honk your horn. The loud noise may cause the deer to run off the road.
Even if you follow these tips, you may be unable to avoid a collision with a deer. If you are about to hit a deer, it is important to take safety measures to avoid serious injury. First, do not swerve out of the way. When you swerve, you may lose control of your vehicle, which could cause you to veer off the road or collide with another vehicle. Instead, try to calmly brake and remain in your lane. If you hit a deer, pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe. If the deer is injured, your first instinct may be to approach it. However, if the deer is still alive, it could be startled and dangerous to approach. Instead, call local authorities to let them know the deer is in a hazardous spot on the road so authorities can remove it. Finally, if you have suffered injuries or property damage, contact emergency services for assistance. You may also wish to contact your insurance company to report any damage to your vehicle.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Deer Accident?
Drivers who fail to heed the safety tips above may swerve into your vehicle, causing you serious bodily injury. If a negligent driver has injured you or someone you love, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen for immediate assistance. Our firm represents clients throughout Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, and Montgomery County in all areas of personal injury law, including motorcycle and car accidents, trucking accidents, defective products, pharmacy misfills, nursing home negligence, and many other practice areas. At our firm, our attorneys work tirelessly to obtain full compensation for our clients who have suffered serious physical and emotional harm. To discuss your case with an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney, contact us for a free initial consultation at (410)881-8595. We will not bill you fees unless we win compensation on your behalf.