Animals and Drivers: Safety Tips
Animals can impact drivers in many ways. Animals as passengers can be vulnerable creatures. Animals in the road can be deadly and dangerous to vehicles. In an effort to keep both you and animals safe, below we discuss safety tips for animals and drivers.
Drivers have a big responsibility and actively try to stay safe and avoid accidents. However, even the safest driver can be injured in a car accident. If you are the victim in a car accident, seek legal help from an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Contact us at (702) 857-6000 to schedule a free consultation. If we determine you have a case we will work aggressively to protect your rights and get you the compensation due you as an accident victim.
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Is it Illegal to Leave an Animal in a Parked Car?
States have different laws regarding leaving an animal in a parked car. 31 states have laws that either:
- Prohibit leaving an animal in confined vehicle under dangerous conditions or
- Provide civil immunity for a person who rescues a distressed animal from a vehicle.
In the following 15 states, it is legal for any person to rescue a distressed animal.
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Keep Animals Out of Hot Cars in Nevada
Nevada lawmakers repealed Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 574.195 in 2017. The statute specifically forbade leaving dogs and cats in a car during periods of extreme heat or cold. This behavior remains illegal in Nevada. It is punished as animal cruelty under NRS 574.100.
A first-time offense in a seven-year period is a misdemeanor punishable by:
- Two days to six months in jail,
- 48 to 120 hours of community service,
- $200 to $1,000 in fines, and
- Restitution for all animal care costs.
If you are worried about an animal’s safety, call animal control or 911.
We hope you and your loved ones stay safe this summer. If you or a family member are the victim of a motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers is here to help you if you’ve been involved in an accident in the Las Vegas area. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Animals and Drivers: Odds of Collision by State
State Farm completed its annual study regarding the odds of collision between animals and drivers. Its data shows drivers in the United States, on average, have a one in 116 chance of a collision with an animal. State Farm estimates there were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the United States between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Below is information from the study regarding 2019-2020 odds of collision with animals. States are sorted by likelihood including low risk, medium risk, and high risk (states where animal collisions are most likely).
Low Risk
- Alaska, one in 321
- Arizona, one in 439
- California, one in 426
- Connecticut, one in 211
- District of Columbia, one in 826
- Florida, one in 409
- Hawaii, one in 731
- Nevada, one in 506
- New Mexico, one in 221
- Washington, one in 258
Medium Risk
- Colorado, one in 186
- Delaware, one in 105
- Idaho, one in 106
- Illinois, one in 144
- Indiana, one in 102
- Louisiana, one in 169
- Maryland, one in 104
- Massachusetts, one in 107
- New Hampshire, one in 152
- New Jersey, one in 155
- New York, one in 130
- Ohio, one in 102
- Oklahoma, one in 115
- Oregon, one in 161
- Rhode Island, one in 111
- Tennessee, one in 123
- Texas, one in 157
- Utah, one in 159
- Vermont, one in 115
High Risk
- Alabama, one in 92
- Arkansas, one in 79
- Georgia, one in 90
- Iowa, one in 55
- Kansas, one in 84
- Kentucky, one in 85
- Maine, one in 84
- Michigan, one in 60
- Minnesota, one in 64
- Mississippi, one in 61
- Missouri, one in 79
- Montana, one in 48
- Nebraska, one in 96
- North Carolina, one in 76
- North Dakota, one in 80
- Pennsylvania, one in 52
- South Carolina, one in 68
- South Dakota, one in 54
- Virginia, one in 74
- West Virginia, one in 38
- Wisconsin, one in 57
- Wyoming, one in 56
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Animals and Drivers: Tips to Avoid Animals in the Road
Drivers can take simple steps to help lessen the chances of a collision with an animal. Below are tips to avoid animals in the road.
Drive Defensively
Drivers and passengers should drive defensively and actively watch for:
- Wildlife on the road, in the ditch, on the shoulder, and in the right of way.
- Movement on or alongside the road.
- Shining eyes, which will be the car’s headlights reflecting off the animal’s eyes.
- Flickering headlights of oncoming cars or taillights. The flicker may be an animal crossing in the road.
- Roadside reflectors that disappear/reappear. This might indicate an animal crossing in front of them.
- Animals between dusk and dawn.
Stay Alert
Pay attention to “deer crossing” and “wildlife crossing” signs. Be cautious in areas near woods or water. Animal collisions happen most during October through December.
Use High Beams or Car Horn
Using high beams or a car horn may scare an animal off or away from the road. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.
Only Swerve if it Is Safe
It may be tempting to swerve if an animal is in your path. Do not take unsafe evasive actions. Many accidents are caused when a driver tries to avoid an animal and loses control of their vehicle.
Watch for Herds
If you see one animal, there are probably more nearby. This is true for most herd animals including deer and cows.
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What if a Crash Is Inevitable?
Not all crashes between animals and drivers can be avoided. In some instances a driver has no choice but to hit an animal. If it appears impossible to avoid the animal use the following tips from the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program:
- Aim for the spot the animal is coming from, not where it is going.
- Look where you want to go, not at the animal. You tend to drive where you look. If you are looking at the animal, that is where the vehicle tends to go.
- If you must hit something, try for a glancing blow rather than a head-on hit.
- Brake firmly and quickly. Then look and steer your vehicle to strike the animal at an angle.
- Let up on the brake just before you hit the animal. This causes the front end of your vehicle to rise and reduces the chances of the animal coming through your windshield.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Car Accident?
Even the most cautious driver can be involved in an accident. This accident may be caused by an animal or another driver. If you are involved in a car accident, do the following:
- Remain calm
- Call 911
- Obtain medical help
- Record information (if possible)
- Exchange information
- Document your injuries
- Do not admit fault
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
Have you been injured in a car accident in the Las Vegas area? Was it the fault of someone else? If so, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can give you legal advice and help protect your rights. Our Las Vegas legal team understands that being an accident victim can be one of the most difficult things you will ever face. As you deal with injuries and wonder how to navigate the system, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced lawyer who can get you the compensation due you as an accident victim.
With over 25 years of experience, Anthem Injury Lawyers specialize in personal injury claims. Please note that we offer extensive experience representing clients in all types of personal injury cases, including years of experience winning cases for car accident victims. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
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