Jennifer Haugh
Manager, Public and Government Affairs, KS
O: (785) 438-6554 ext. (5306554)
C: (785) 438-0600
jhaugh@AAA-AlliedGroup.com
Shawn Steward
Manager, Public and Government Affairs, KS
O: (316) 681-8333
C: (785) 409-0678
ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com
TOPEKA, Kan. – Sept. 29, 2017 – Fall is officially here, and AAA Kansas is warning drivers to be more cautious on the roads. Deer mating season is right around the corner, and October, November and December are the worst months of the year for motor vehicle collisions with animals. A collision with a deer or other animal can cause significant damage to your vehicle, if not destroy it completely, and could result in serious injuries or fatalities for drivers or passengers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2015, there were 186 fatalities from collisions with animals nationwide. “Animal-vehicle collisions start to increase in October and peak in mid-November,” said Shawn Steward, spokesman for AAA Kansas. “As the deer population grows and our cities spread into formerly rural areas, motorists need to be even more cautious and alert behind the wheel, especially at dawn and dusk, times of the highest deer activity.” The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) reports that in 2016, there were 10,150 crashes in Kansas involving deer, resulting in 593 people being injured and 7 killed. “Deer and other animals are unpredictable and you never know when they might dash out in front of your vehicle. But there are actions you can take to help prevent an accident or reduce the damage from an animal collision,” noted Steward. “First and foremost, always protect yourself by wearing a seat belt and removing all distractions behind the wheel.” In the event of a collision with an animal, AAA Kansas recommends:
“It is always best to call the Kansas Highway Patrol or local police or sheriff’s department in the event of a collision,” says AAA Kansas’ Steward. “The authorities can file a report and can make the roadway safer for other motorists by helping to remove the animal or other debris.” Contact your insurance agent or company representative as quickly as possible to report any damage to your car. Collision with a deer or other animals is covered under the comprehensive portion of your automobile policy. AAA Kansas offers these tips to help prevent an accident or to reduce damage from an animal collision:
AAA has posted a helpful “Fall Driving” video at aaa.com/TV. If you have questions or are concerned about gaps in your existing coverage, please contact a local insurance agent at 800-445-0659, or AAA.com/insurance. Auto Insurance Note: Collision coverage pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox, an animal), or as a result of flipping over. Comprehensive coverage is for damage to your car covered by disasters “other than collisions,” contacts (in this case, contact/collision with animals) and are paid for under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.
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Topeka, KS 66606
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Shawn Steward
Manager, Public and Government Affairs, KS
O: (316) 681-8333
C: (785) 409-0678
ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com