A highly viewed video making the rounds lately showed professional formula driver Ken Gushi having an extremely close call with a deer that runs directly into the road and Gushi’s path. Your Daytona Beach Insurance Agency knows the unexpected can happen at any time, and that’s why they’re here.
Mr. Gushi was test driving a soon-to-be-released Toyota Scion FR-S in a Northern California State Park when the unexpected happened and the director actually captured the entire incident in HD, including Gushi’s reaction. “On my very first run today, we were up in the canyons driving and I come across this turn over a crest and down onto a straight,” Gushi says. “I’m trying to mind my own business driving and trying to navigate these unknown roads when all of a sudden I see this black figure just prancing toward the road. At that moment, I just knew … something’s wrong. I got on the brakes and I see this deer coming down the mountain…”
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, deer are responsible for or involved in about a million collisions with automobiles each year, causing 200 deaths, more than 10,000 injuries, and $1 billion in vehicle damage. In East Central Florida, animal collisions are a constant danger for drivers and something which automobile, truck or motorcycle insurance is of the utmost importance.
While you are most likely to encounter a dog or a deer in Florida, even a bear, alligator, and smaller animals such as armadillo, opossum and raccoon can damage your vehicle or bike.
According to an affiliate of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, an average of five per 1,000 accident claims each month involve animals. Insurance claims don’t report which animals are involved, but other data most often point to deer.
Although Florida ranks low in the number of auto vs. animal collisions in the institute’s report, any one you are involved in is critical. Here are some tips for avoiding accidents with deer, wildlife and other animals that don’t look both ways before crossing:
When you see a ‘Deer (or other animal) Crossing’ sign, pay attention. Those signs are there for a reason.
Deer usually move in numbers and in single file, so if you see one, there’s a good chance there will be others.
Keep your headlights on bright when there is no oncoming traffic to better illuminate the animal and the road.
Deer are most active around dawn and from sunset to midnight, so keep your eyes peeled.
Step on your brakes when you see an animal, but don’t veer from your lane. Most animals you’ll encounter weigh less than another car, so any damage will be less if you hit the animal.
If you collide with an animal, pull off the road and turn on your emergency lights. If the animal is still in the road, report it to the police or highway patrol. Do not try to move it yourself.
Report any damage to your insurance agent. Your comprehensive coverage should take care of the accident.
Animal collisions are an unfortunate reality in East Central Florida and your Daytona Beach Insurance Agency hopes you remain vigilant and safe. If you have any questions about auto, truck or motorcycle insurance, or other insurance products, contact the O’Quinn Insurance Agency.
