Since 1948, CCD Law has helped injury victims in Spokane. Car accidents are probably the most common type of accident where you could be injured, and every one of them is different in terms of the cause. While it can happen at any time, one of the more common causes is when deer run across the road. This can be a scary situation and you might have a lot of questions. Our Spokane car accident lawyers will be there to guide you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
After a car accident, you’re not required to get a lawyer to file an injury claim. In fact, in the event that your accident is minor, you probably don’t even need to worry about legal action at all. But, the more serious your injuries are–or in the case of an accident involving a deer–the more help you’ll probably need.
That’s where our team can step in by:
- Explaining what your options are
- Helping you collect evidence and important information
- File an insurance claim, then negotiate for a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit, if necessary
You never want to be involved in a car accident, but especially in the fall months, they can happen with so many deer and other risks on the road. When this happens to you, our team will be there to guide and support you.
What Do You Need to Do After a Car Accident Involving a Deer?
The main problem with being in a car accident involving a deer is that you aren’t expecting it. The suddenness of these accidents means there’s virtually no time to react, not just for you but for others on the road. Before getting into the important factors of the claims process, you first have to know what to do when one of these accidents happens to you:
- Get to safety – The first thing you should do is move to the side of the road (if it’s safe.) From there, check yourself for injuries and take note of any damage to your car.
- Call 911 – Call 911 for help from an ambulance and police. This could either be from the city or the county, but they’ll come to the scene, provide medical care, and take down important information.
- Document the accident – Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle, the deer, and the surrounding area. This will be vital evidence for your claim.
- Gather other information – Get information from the other driver, but focus on their contact and insurance details. The same goes for any witnesses. Also, note down any details about the accident, including the time, location, and weather conditions.
- Talk to your insurance company – Contact your auto insurance to report the accident and start their claims process. Provide them with all the details and any documentation you’ve gathered.
Obviously, these steps are important in any car accident. But with one caused by a deer, they become even more important to your claim. Although they’re unexpected, these accidents can be pretty damaging. Thus, you have to take these steps to protect your claim.
Who’s Liable in a Car Accident Caused by a Deer?
Nobody on the road in Spokane can control when deer cause a car accident. But at the same time, when there’s two or more vehicles involved, someone is unfortunately liable for the resulting damage.
The problem is in establishing negligence. Obviously, when a deer runs out in front of a car, the natural reaction is to try to swerve and miss it. This action, though, is what causes the resulting accident–and in strict legal terms, swerving and causing an accident is seen as negligent.
But, like any car accident, there’s a lot of different factors that could also influence liability and who’s responsible:
- Drivers – No matter what the circumstances are, drivers have a legal responsibility to drive safely. When they swerve to try to miss a deer, they could cross the centerline or into another lane and cause an accident, which would make them liable.
- Spokane city or Washington state government – If the accident happened in a place where deer often cross the road and there were no warning signs to alert drivers, the local government could be responsible for not keeping the road safe. Similarly, agencies that manage highways might be held accountable if they don’t put up the needed safety measures in areas where deer are likely to be present.
- Landowners – In some cases, if a landowner has an area that attracts deer and this leads to a higher incidence of deer crossings without warning signs, they could be considered partially liable.
- Vehicle makers – If there’s evidence that a vehicle’s design or safety features contributed to the severity of the accident (e.g., poor visibility), the manufacturer might be held liable.
It’s pretty unfortunate when there’s a car accident caused by a deer in Spokane, but the reality is that it’s just like any other car accident in terms of the outcome–injuries and other damage you have to deal with. This makes figuring out liability pretty important, because it tells you who has to pay for your damages.
What Are Your Options After a Car Accident Involving a Deer?
Car accidents involving deer might be unfortunate, but they still lead to pretty serious injuries, and can also cause significant damage to your car. This means that you’re likely facing pretty significant losses. Legally speaking, though, you have the same options for recovering damages as you would in any other car accident:
- Filing an insurance claim – This process is usually quicker and less formal, but settlements tend to be lower and controlled by the insurance company.
- Filing a lawsuit – This option may lead to a higher amount of financial support, especially for severe injuries, but it requires more time and effort from you.
Whichever option you choose, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care costs
- Lost wages from missing work and future earning potential if you can’t work anymore
- Repair or replacement costs for your car
- Financial support for any pain, suffering, or emotional distress
- Support for a reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
- Punitive damages in cases of intentional or gross negligence
While you have the option to file a claim, the success of your case depends on the evidence you gather and how effectively you present it. In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If you don’t, you can’t recover damages at all.
What Kind of Car Accidents Happen Because of Deer?
It’s not surprising that deer cause accidents when they run out in front of you or other drivers. But, the specific kinds of accidents that it causes can vary pretty widely. Depending on the circumstances, though, they usually cause accidents like:
- Head-on collisions from swerving
- Rear-end collisions from braking to avoid hitting the deer
- Sideswipes and t-bone accidents
- Rollovers
- Secondary collisions after the first car hits the deer
You’re never going to be able to predict when a deer is going to cause an accident while you’re driving in Spokane or the surrounding area. But, it’s important to be prepared and cautious, especially around the later months of the year or in more wooded areas. Then, if you are in one of these accidents, reach out to our team as soon as you can to get help.
Contact CCD Law If You’re Injured in a Spokane Car Accident Caused by Deer
Like it or not, a deer can very easily cause a car accident in Spokane. When you’re involved in one of these accidents, you have options for making a recovery. Our team at CCD Law has the experience you need in this situation. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident caused by a deer, contact us today for a free consultation.
