The car accident attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates are warning Tennessee motorists to keep an eye out for deer this fall and winter, in light of an open warning issued last week by the Tennessee Highway Patrol regarding the increased risk of car accidents caused by deer during the later months of the year. In addition to causing single-vehicle car accidents in situations in which a vehicle strikes a deer, swerving to avoid hitting a deer in the road can result in multiple-vehicle accidents in Tennessee, which can lead to devastating injuries or death. If you have suffered serious injuries in a car accident in Nashville, or elsewhere in Tennessee, contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person found at-fault in the accident, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and medical bills.
Last week, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) urged drivers to use caution when driving on TN roadways between the months of October and December, as this time of year is when deer tend to mate. As a result, deer typically become more aggressive and less fearful of humans during this period, increasing the risk of deer crossing busy roadways in Tennessee. The THP also warned motorists that deer tend to be most active at daybreak and dusk, so drivers traveling in the early morning or around sunset should use extra care and proceed with caution in an effort to avoid Tennessee car accidents, injuries and fatalities. Too often, vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds are unable to stop in time when there is a deer in the road, at which point swerving to avoid the deer is the driver’s next reaction. Unfortunately, this often results in a tragic accident involving multiple vehicles.
According to the THP, TN car accidents involving one or more deer have increased by nearly 6% since 2007, and 2011 saw more than 5,600 Tennessee car accidents caused by vehicles either hitting or swerving to miss deer. Roughly 300 of these collisions resulted in at least one injury, and two of the crashes led to at least one fatality. In light of these alarming statistics, the Tennessee Highway Patrol has advised drivers to watch out for deer while on TN highways and roadways, particularly on roads in rural areas in the state. The THP has also advised drivers to avoid serving to miss hitting a deer, as this natural reaction could lead to a deadly rollover accident or a collision with another vehicle. If you have been involved in a Tennessee car accident, and suffered serious injuries as a result, consult our reputable car accident attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates for legal help.
