October has arrived across Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties, bringing changing leaves, Friday night football and slow-moving harvest equipment on our country roads. It also marks the start of the busiest stretch of the year for deer-related crashes in Ohio. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, nearly half of the state’s deer crashes happen in October, November and December, and Stark County has recorded more deer-involved crashes than any other Ohio county in recent years.
Deer are most active around dawn and dusk, which lines up closely with morning and evening commutes as the days grow shorter. When clocks fall back on November 1, many drivers will find their trip home happening in the dark. Breeding season, which typically peaks in early November, makes deer movement even less predictable. Slowing down near wooded areas and open fields, using high beams when no traffic is approaching, and remembering that one deer usually means more are nearby can all help. Troopers also advise braking firmly rather than swerving, since a sudden swerve can send a vehicle into oncoming traffic, a ditch or a tree.
Most deer collisions cause only vehicle damage, which is generally handled through the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Some crashes, however, lead to serious injuries, and the path to compensation is not always obvious. When a driver swerves to avoid a deer and strikes another vehicle, or when a following driver is too close to stop in time, questions of fault can arise under Ohio law, and injured drivers and passengers may have a personal injury claim. If the crash happened while you were driving as part of your job, such as making deliveries or traveling between work sites, your injuries may also qualify for Ohio workers’ compensation benefits. After any collision, report it to law enforcement, get medical care promptly and take photos of the scene and your vehicle.
At Brian Law Offices, Attorney Steve Brian and our team have helped Northeast Ohio families recover after serious accidents for more than four decades. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we make a recovery on your behalf. You can contact us online or reach our North Canton office at 330-494-2121, our New Philadelphia office at 330-364-5531, or our Wooster office at 330-262-5246. We hope every family enjoys a safe and beautiful autumn on Ohio’s roads.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Brian Law Offices. Contact our office directly to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
