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Should you swerve for an animal in the road?

On Behalf of | Jan 15, 2025 | Car Accidents

When you’re driving on rural roads, one of the biggest hazards may be a deer or other animal suddenly crossing in front of your car. Even on urban streets, you could face similar risks from cats or off-leash dogs. Someone’s pet might escape their yard and attempt to cross the road.

When you see an animal in the road, your instinct may be to swerve quickly to avoid hitting it. But is this actually the safest course of action?

Swerving could make things worse

While there are some situations where swerving may help you avoid a collision, it’s important to remember that swerving often makes things worse and could result in a far more serious crash.

For example, imagine you’re driving at 60 miles per hour when a deer runs into the road. If you swerve to the left, you could end up in oncoming traffic and hit another car traveling at the same speed. This would create a combined impact speed of 120 miles per hour, potentially causing a devastating accident with fatal injuries.

Alternatively, if you swerve to the right, you might avoid other vehicles but still lose control. Your car could leave the road and collide with a stop sign, a tree or even a building. In many cases, these types of crashes are more likely to result in severe injuries than simply hitting the animal.

What if another driver swerves?

Even if you drive safely and avoid swerving unnecessarily, another driver could suddenly veer into your path without warning while trying to avoid an animal. If you suffer injuries in an accident caused by another driver’s actions, it’s crucial to understand your options for seeking financial compensation.



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