Car Accidents: When No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

In Arizona, sixty-one year old Dennis Binkley will never know why the woman driving the other car swerved and struck the vehicle in which he was riding head-on. When the driver of the Chevy Silverado suddenly crossed the middle line and struck the Captiva he was riding in, Dennis Binkley was killed almost instantly. This tragic accident was all the more tragic because it was preventable. The other driver swerved to avoid an animal in the road.

Most of us, when faced with a dangerous situation, don’t want to see anyone or anything hurt. Our instinct is to do whatever it takes to avoid hurting another living thing, be it another person or an animal. Unfortunately, in certain situations this is the worst thing we can do, particularly when it involves swerving to avoid an animal in the road.

Every year, thousands of motorists are hurt and dozens killed, either when they swerve to avoid wildlife or when another driver swerves and hits them. More often than not, large wild animals are encountered on two lane highways, where swerving is much more likely to lead to head-on collisions, the most dangerous and deadly kind. Experts recommend that drivers do not swerve in these situations.

As difficult as it is to kill another living creature, it is important to remember the alternative. If you cause an accident in an attempt to spare the animal, you are likely to seriously injury or kill another human being.

When driving in areas likely to have wild animals, you should:

• Keep an eye out for signs warning you what types of wildlife to expect.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Refrain from checking your phone for texts or messages.
• If you see an animal, honk your horn and try to stay center on the road, just in case you do hit it.

Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent an accident, either when the animal does not move in time or when another car swerves and hits you.

If you or someone you love has been injured in such an accident, it is important that you receive all the necessary treatments to make a full recovery, both physically and mentally. Contact a New York law firm to help you receive the treatments that will ensure a healthy future.