Wildlife vehicle collisions are common in low-light areas with high animal traffic. As a result, they often happen at night when most wildlife is active. Although some accidents are inevitable, understanding animal behavior can reduce potential damages. Use this guide to learn how to avoid extensive collision repairs from wildlife accidents and the common damages they cause.

What Kind of Damage Can Wildlife Collisions Cause?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, there are a reported 300,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions per year, 90% of which are deer. This leads to car and truck damage. For example, the most common ones are front-end collisions causing shattered headlights, broken bumpers, and cracked front-end accessories such as trucks' bull bars and brush guards. Other damages include when the wildlife bounces off the bumpers and falls on the windshield, causing irreversible cracks. This damage requires quick collision repair to protect the vehicle from road debris. Lastly, wildlife collisions can result in brake damage due to abruptly stopping the vehicle from hitting animals. 

How Can You Avoid Animals on the Road?

• Observe Road Surroundings: Seeing one animal on the road is often a sign of others nearby. If you locate one, keep observing the road and drive slowly until there are no animal sightings.
• Avoid Swerving: Although preventing the car from hitting the animal is important, try not to swerve, which may lead to hitting other vehicles. Instead, steer the vehicle toward the right outer edge of the road to encourage animals to move quickly if they're approaching from the right side. 
• Use High Beams: When driving in dark environments, consider using headlights to react quickly in case there's a sign of wildlife.
• Alert the Animals: If deer and elk are in your path, reduce your speed and sound your horn in a series of short bursts to scare them away from the road. Try to steer around the animal if there's no incoming traffic.

If you need reliable collision repairs, head to Schneider Auto Body in Columbia, MO. For over 33 years, this family-owned and -operated auto body repair has served the mid-Missouri region with exceptional collision repairs and car scratch and dents removal. In addition, they offer custom auto painting services using industry-leading and eco-friendly products. Visit their website to learn more about their quality services, or call (573) 815-0198 for a free estimate.