It’s late at night and you feel like a night owl, prowling in the dark on the roads. You have your headlights on, but you're speeding in the darkness to get to a Christmas party that you’re already late for. There are no cars in front of you, so you think it’s safe enough to fly through the trees at night. Suddenly, a red-eyed figure leaps out of the forest and jumps right in front of your vehicle. You skid to avoid the creature, but it’s too late. The poor deer is hit by the front of your vehicle, and the car behind you rear-ends you in the crash. It’s a mess, and injury attorneys will help you through it, but the car accident may have been prevented if you slowed down and paid attention to the brush around you. Animals are known to leap out on the roads at night, and it’s important to drive safely and slowly in rural areas at this time.
Avoiding a Crash
If you are driving at night, you need to be aware of your surroundings and look to the side of the road, ensuring that no animals are lurking in the shadows. Here are a few tips to avoid hitting an animal on the roads:
- If it is foggy, dark, or rainy outside, slow your speed. It’s difficult to see animals in these weather conditions, and you want to be able to stop in time if an animal does run out on the road.
- Stay alert in the car and avoid any distractions. Avoid eating, drinking, and fiddling with the radio, and plan your route beforehand.
- Animal’s eyes begin to shine when caught in the glare of your headlights. If you see shining eyes to the side of the road, slow down and stop if an animal approaches.
- Make sure that your headlights are in good working condition and that you keep your mirrors clean at all times. This increases visibility on the roads and ensures that you see the animal before it’s too late.
- Use your high beams at night, but make sure to lower them if another car is approaching. Have a passenger scan both sides of the road for any approaching animals.
If you use these tips and spot an animal on the sidelines, it’s important to:
- Slow your vehicle down and use the horn;
- Wait for multiple animals that might be traveling with the one you saw;
- Do not try to drive around, as animals are unpredictable;
- Stay in your vehicle;
- Wait for the animal to pass, or pull over to a safe place; and
- Report the animal to the police if you do hit the animal.
Hiring a Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are involved in an accident because of an animal, or another vehicle, injury attorneys at Sokoloff will ensure that you receive any compensation that you are eligible for after the crash. Book a free consultation with injury attorneys at Sokoloff today.
Sources:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.10.7.shtml