Have you ever had a DVC?

DVC is the acronym assigned by some insurance companies for “Deer Vehicle Collision”. Chances of that acronym becoming a reality for Hardeman Countians are pretty high. “Tennessee ranks number 29 in the United States for this type accident,” said Mark Casion, Vice President – Research for Tennessee Farmers Insurance Companies (Farm Bureau). “Hardeman County ranks very high on the list for DVC claims.”
Chances are you have had a DVC. You probably know one or more residents who have been involved in one. “I don’t have the actual number of DVC claims by county but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hardeman proved to be number one,” Casion said.
According to Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation, there were 191 traffic fatalities across the U.S. in 2013 due to collisions involving animals. Eight of those were in Tennessee. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in its latest statistics, reports the average vehicle damage claim for a DVC is over $4,000. They are costly in lives lost. They are costly in property damage. As a motorist, is there anything you can do to avoid this type accident?
State Farm Insurance Company’s learning center reports there will be 1.25 million DVC’s this year and there is “no silver bullet” for keeping animals off of the roadways. The site does provide some precautions a driver can take to reduce the risk of having or lessening the damage of a DVC.
First, pay attention to “deer crossing signs”. Be especially watchful near wooded areas or water. Deer are pack animals. If you see one, there are probably more nearby. Remember, they are unpredictable. They are as likely to run into you as they are to run in front of you. October through January are the peak collision months. It’s both hunting and mating season. Deer roam outside their normal territories.

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