Wildlife Collisions Increase with Shorter Daylight Hours

Drivers in Mississippi will want to exercise more caution around areas where wildlife is present. The reason is that with the shorter days after the clocks were turned back, wildlife may be harder to spot on the roadside. Bears will appear in search of food before hibernation, and deer will be up and around since autumn is their peak mating season. Wildlife is commonly most active between dusk and dawn.

Experts say that drivers should be on the lookout for the signs posted by transportation authorities. When traveling through areas where wildlife is present, drivers should moderate their speed so as to shorten their braking time, and when they do spot wildlife on the road, they should stop and honk their horn or flash their headlights. This will keep the animals from crossing and alert other drivers. Wildlife can usually be spotted through movements and their shining eyes. When drivers see one wild animal, they can expect others to be in tow. Drivers can reduce the risk for serious injuries and death by half as long as they wear their seat belts.

Unfortunately, collisions are still common across the U.S. For instance, the Colorado Department of Transportation receives an average of 3,300 wildlife collision reports each year, with November always providing the highest numbers. Vehicle damage costs resulting from these accidents average over $3,400.

Even worse is when wildlife indirectly causes a car accident between two or more vehicles. In such cases, human negligence may be to blame, so victims might want to see a lawyer to determine if they have a valid personal injury claim. The lawyer will likely hire investigators, photographers, and other experts to survey the accident scene and recreate the collision through police reports and other evidence. Counsel could can then negotiate for an informal settlement with the other driver’s insurance company.