Illinois drivers should be on the lookout for deer

Drivers in Illinois may want to start taking extra precaution. That is because more deer are out on the roads, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Since fall is typically the start of deer mating season, they often become more active in the morning and evening hours.

According to officials, there were more than 15,000 motor vehicle crashes involving deer in Illinois and over half of those collisions resulted in damage to property or other vehicles.

Safety tips for motorists

To avoid a collision, drivers should consider doing the following:

• Pay close attention to their surroundings, especially when they are driving at night.
• Slow down if they spot a deer, it is common for them to travel in groups, which means there could be more in the surrounding area.
• Anticipate the unexpected. Deer often like to stop in the middle of the road.
• If they see a deer, avoid swerving to avoid going in the opposite lane of traffic.

Deer on the road can result in more car collisions

If drivers do end up in an accident involving a deer, they should contact local authorities and remain in their vehicles until help arrives. While drivers may swerve out of the way in an attempt to avoid hitting one, they may put themselves at higher risk of severely injuring or even killing other motorists.  In some cases, people in these situations may want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Illinois to see if their damages make them eligible for compensation.