Car Accidents and Wild Animals

While a many car accidents happen because drivers act negligently behind the wheel, they can also occur due to circumstances beyond a motorist’s control. Wild animals darting out in front of vehicles constitute one such unexpected hazard, particularly as they may cause a driver to either swerve and lose control or hit the animal. Unfortunately, the kindness that leads a driver to try to avoid a collision with an animal may result in a collision with another motor vehicle.

Drivers are still responsible for driving safely and responsibly, even when an animal runs in the road. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury because of another vehicle swerving to miss an animal, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact the Cedar Rapids car accident lawyers of the Pete Leehey Law Firm, P.C., at 319-294-4424 today to speak with a skilled and experienced attorney about your potential case.

Avoiding an Accident

You should only act to miss large animals, such as a deer or moose, with which a collision could prove to be fatal. Smaller animals like raccoons, squirrels, or birds that run in front of you are unlikely to cause damage to you or your vehicle, so although it may seem cruel it is safest to simply continue driving normally. However, if you come upon a large animal, be sure to:

• If possible, do everything you can to miss the animal
• Do not swerve into another lane
• If you cannot miss the animal, try to hit it at an angle
• Slow down as much as possible to lessen the amount of damage to your vehicle

Contact Us

Though another motorist’s intentions may have been noble, the fact remains that they may be legally liable for harm that they have caused you in an effort to avoid striking an animal. To learn more about your legal rights, contact the Cedar Rapids car accident lawyers of the Pete Leehey Law Firm, P.C., by calling 319-294-4424.