State Farm does an annual report on deer-related automobile accidents. This year, the report reveals interesting information about the frequency of drivers hitting deers, the reasons behind it, and the state where you are most likely to hit a deer while driving.
State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the United States. Every year, they take a close look at the number of collisions between vehicles and animals. Car insurance companies have a tendency to periodically review the amount of risk that they could, potentially, have to pay out claims for. This year’s report reveals some interesting stuff.
According to the report, the number of collisions between passenger vehicles and animals has gone down in the past year. There were slightly more than 1 million instances of these types of accidents between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. This means that the number has dropped by 9% from what it was three years ago, and by 7% from what it was last year.
The reason for the drop in car versus deer collisions has to do with the economy. It has become harder for people to be able to afford to pay for the gasoline that they would need in order to travel long distances.
People who have lost their jobs are not going to be able to afford to take vacations. Less people driving to work means less people on the road. The reduced number of vehicles on the road, by default, reduces the number of animals that are hit by vehicles.
The report also points out which states drivers are most likely, and least likely, to have a collision with a deer. According to State Farm, drivers in West Virginia are at the most risk of hitting a deer, (or some other “four-legged hazard”). If you are driving in West Virginia, you have a 1 in 53 chance of hitting a deer.
Drivers in Vermont have a 24% chance of hitting a deer. In Michigan, it is a 23% chance. In Connecticut, your chances of hitting a deer are 22%. No matter where you live, though, there is always the chance that you could end up colliding with a deer (or other animal), while you are driving. It is even possible in Hawaii, (but it is incredibly remote). In Hawaii, your chances of hitting a deer are around 1 in 13,000.
What happens if you do hit a deer? The national average cost of your auto repair bill for “animal-related damage” is going to be around $3,100. You should file a claim to your auto insurance company. You shouldn’t ever attempt to touch or “help” the deer that you hit. You aren’t going to be able to help the animal. The deer could end up striking out at you, and causing you to become injured.
Image by Dennis Hamilton on Flickr