Greenville Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer

What Should I Do after Hitting a Deer to Avoid a Subsequent Collision?

You may have noticed a lot more deer on the roadways lately because the middle of mating season is fast approaching. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the mating season for white-tailed deer extends from the end of August to early January.

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Unfortunately, development around the state has forced deer to reside near fairly congested areas, which means that even drivers in more urban areas are at risk of a crash with a deer. If you’re involved in such an accident, would you know what to do?

Failing to respond appropriately in such a scenario could result in a subsequent collision that causes serious injuries. If you were injured in a crash because another driver did not respond appropriately after hitting a deer, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Contact Churdar Law Firm to discuss the circumstances of your case and determine the best way to proceed. Doug Churdar has been practicing law in the state of South Carolina for 25 years. Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a case evaluation with a Greenville car accident attorney.

Read on to learn what you should do after hitting a deer in order to reduce the risk of a subsequent accident:

  1. Pull over to a Safe Place

Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, which also happens to be when motorists have limited visibility. If you hit a deer, try to pull over to a safe place because any oncoming motorists may not see you until it is too late. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights, and put out any road flares if you have them.

  1. Call the Police

Call the police as soon as possible after the collision so they can direct traffic safely around you. If they need to set up a detour until they can move the deer, they will do so, and you will not have to worry about a subsequent collision.

  1. Document the Scene

Do not get out of your vehicle to take photos of the damage until the police have arrived and traffic is under control. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting hit by an oncoming motorist who is not expecting to find a stopped vehicle or pedestrian in the middle of the road.

  1. Stay Away from the Deer 

If the deer is still alive but remains in the road, do not go near it. With sharp hooves and powerful strength, a frightened deer can do serious damage if you come too close.

  1. Call a Tow Truck

If your vehicle sustained any damage whatsoever, you should not drive it until you are sure it is safe to do so. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing another collision, so call a tow truck for assistance.

Unfortunately, you can take all of these precautions and still end up in a serious accident with a distracted driver. If you were injured in a crash with a negligent motorist in South Carolina, contact Churdar Law Firm. As your personal injury lawyer in Greenville, Doug Churdar will tirelessly fight for the most favorable outcome for your case.

Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation. You can learn more about filing a car accident claim in South Carolina by visiting the USAttorneys website.