Is a car versus deer accident treated differently under Michigan no-fault law? Fortunately, an accident with an animal is treated similarly to a standard auto accident (such as an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object).

Following a car versus deer accident, your auto insurance will pay for the damage to your vehicle as well as your normal Michigan no-fault benefits which include:

• Up to three years of wage loss if you remain injured and unable to work as a result of your automobile accident related injuries
• Assistance around the house at a rate of $20 per day for those persons performing tasks that you were unable to perform after your accident due to automobile accident related injuries.
• Medical bills associated with the accident up to the amount of maximum coverage that you have purchased. If you have purchased unlimited coverage, then you will be afforded unlimited payments for injuries related to a car versus deer accident.

What Should You Do To Avoid a Car Versus Deer Accident?

The common phrase is “don’t steer to avoid a deer”. Instead, when you approach a deer or any animal in the roadway, hold your wheel tightly and brake until the accident is over or the accident is avoided. If you were to choose to steer away from a deer, you are more likely to get involved in an accident with another automobile or to potentially drive off of the road. Always remain within your lane and use your brakes to try to avoid a deer.

What Happens If There Is Another Vehicle Involved In The Car/Deer Accident?

If there was another vehicle whose driver made the decision to try to avoid the deer and struck your vehicle instead, you may have claim against that other driver. The other driver should not have attempted to avoid the deer. In doing so, they failed to do what a reasonable person would do. Therefore, negligence can be proven against them for causing the accident. If you were injured as a result of the accident, you do have a potential claim against that person who caused your accident by trying to avoid the animal.

Take Pictures at The Scene of a Car Versus Deer Accident

If you are involved in an accident with a deer, it is important that you take pictures to prove the cause of your accident (i.e. the existence of the deer). Unfortunately, insurance companies have seen many instances in which individuals claim that a deer or animal ran in front of their car, causing them to lose control of the vehicle and strike a tree, etc. Insurance companies often look closely at this allegation and often consider this to be fraud. This often happens in situations in which people are involved in accidents after falling asleep at the wheel, etc., and they then decide to make the claim to their insurance company after they have come up with the excuse that an animal ran in front of their car. This is why it is important to call the police following a car versus deer accident, and to take pictures to prove the existence of the deer. Nothing is more insulting than being accused of fraud by your own insurance company. Always memorialize your accident.

If your auto insurance company fails to pay any bill related to your auto accident involving a deer, call on the experienced attorneys of Femminineo Law to explain your rights and to bring justice to you following your accident. We make sure that you are paid every dime to which you are entitled following an accident.  Femminineo Law can be reached 24/7 at 855.65.CRASH or by contacting us.