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Running, or mating, season for deer in Illinois runs from October through December. During this time, deer-vehicle crashes peak as the deer are looking for mates. The most dangerous time for these encounters are dawn and dusk when herds of deer are on the move
Crashes involving deer are particularly common in Sangamon county, which ranks third in the state for the number of crashes involving them. Of the 16,213 deer-vehicle collisions in 2019, 406 of them occurred in Sangamon county. Only Cook and Madison Counties had higher numbers.
The vast majority of these crashes resulted in property damage. However, last year, 4 fatalities were reported, and 604 accidents resulted in injuries for those in the vehicle.
According to State Farm, if you are involved in a deer-related crash, you should:
Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, and turn on your hazard lights. If you must leave your vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of any oncoming vehicles.
Call the police. Alert authorities if the deer is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury or property damage, you may need to fill out an official report. This report also can prove useful when filing your insurance claim.
Document the incident. If it's safe to do so, take photographs of the roadway, your surroundings, damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you or your passengers sustained. If witnesses stop, take down their account of what occurred, and ask for their contact information.
Stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer could use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to harm you.
Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. The sooner you report damage or injuries, the sooner your agent can file and process your claim.
Don't assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Double-check that your car is drivable after colliding with a deer. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won't latch and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow.
Source SJR/ StateFarm.com
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