When many drivers in Tennessee spot deer running into the road ahead of them, they instinctively swerve to try to avoid an accident. Deer are a relatively unpredictable hazard. Even attentive drivers may not see them until the last second, so they are simply trying to avoid a crash.
But in reality, you should not swerve to avoid a deer. There are no good outcomes. If you swerve to the right, you could drive off the road and strike a tree, a parked vehicle, a building or another stationary object. If you swerve to the left, you are moving into oncoming traffic, where you could cause a serious collision with another vehicle. All of these outcomes are far more dangerous than simply hitting the deer.
What should you do instead?
Instead of swerving, the best option is to reduce your speed as quickly as possible. It can help to honk your horn, which may get the deer’s attention and cause it to reverse course and run out of the road. But you should focus on maintaining your lane and braking to reduce your speed, which helps limit the severity of the collision.
In many cases, the safest outcome is simply to hit the deer. This goes against a driver’s initial instincts, as most people want to protect themselves, avoid vehicle damage and prevent the inconvenience of a traffic accident. However, it is much safer to have a collision with a deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic, strike another vehicle, and potentially injure yourself or others.
Unfortunately, other drivers may still make this mistake, and you could be hit by someone trying to avoid a deer. If you suffer injuries, it is important to understand your legal options for seeking appropriate financial compensation.