Missouri ranks 15th in the nation for vehicle collisions caused by deer in the road, keeping technicians who provide Collision Repair in Johnson County especially busy in autumn. That’s when deer tend to be most active. Other wildlife cause problems for drivers in this region as well, even though accidents involving deer tend to result in the most expensive damage.
Don’t Swerve
The main reason additional damage tends to occur when drivers encounter wildlife on the road is the tendency to swerve. Hitting a deer typically causes less harm to a vehicle than losing control at the wheel and running off the road, where the driver might hit a tree or roll the car over. The situation can be deadly if the driver swerves into another line and causes a head-on accident with another vehicle.
Smaller Animals
This is an even more significant point when the driver was trying to avoid a smaller animal like a coyote, bobcat, raccoon or possum. People may be particularly inclined to swerve to avoid hitting a skunk, and not just because they feel sorry for the furry little creature. Although it can be distressing to grip the wheel and hit the animal, experts say it’s the best course of action to avoid physical injury and have the vehicle declared a total loss.
Larger Animals
The no-swerve rule also applies when Missouri drivers encounter animals larger than whitetail deer. Elk have been restored to the state as of 2011. Bison also live on farms in the state and, although confined by fencing, may sometimes escape. Although these wild beings look enormous, they still typically cause less destruction to a vehicle than trees and rollovers do.
Financial Considerations
Before scheduling Collision Repair in Johnson County, the driver must consider financial aspects. Most repair work is cosmetic and not essential for the vehicle to be functional and safe. Although hitting wildlife is technically a collision, repair work is only covered by comprehensive automotive insurance and not collision insurance. Without that particular coverage, the owner must pay for all repairs out of pocket. Visit Warrensburg Collision Repair Center for information on this particular auto body shop.

