Deer/Vehicle Crash Odds Getting Worse In Indiana

Last updated on Tuesday, September 27, 2016

(UNDATED) - New State Farm data shows the chances Indiana drivers will collide with a deer are on the rise.

Indiana drivers are nearly 5-percent more likely to collide with a deer than they were last year, according to new claims data from State Farm. The odds drivers will hit a deer in Indiana are 1 out of 136, above the national odds of 1 in 164.

Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation's leading auto insurer, estimates the state by state chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose.

More 2016 State Farm deer collisions facts:

Indiana is ranked 23rd in the country for the most deer collisions

The national cost per claim average is $3,995 down slightly from 2015 when the average was $4,135.

The months a driver is most likely to collide with a deer in Indiana, mostly due to mating season are:

November
October
December

For the tenth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a collision is most likely with1 in 41 odds. Avoid becoming a statistic

Injuries, vehicle damage and fatalities all can result from vehicle collisions with deer. In 2013, 191 deaths were the result of collisions with animals, with deer being the animal most often struck, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These tips could help drivers avoid a collision:

Pay attention to deer crossing signs
Always buckle up, every trip, every time
Use your high beams, when possible, to see farther
Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead

And here are some deer facts that all drivers should know:

Deer are on all roads
Deer are unpredictable
Deer often move in groups
Deer movement is most prevalent in the fall
Dusk to dawn are high risk times

"There is an increased risk of a collision with deer around dawn and dusk, and also during the fall breeding season," said Missy Dundov, State Farm Spokesperson. "We encourage drivers to be aware and on the lookout at all times, because you never know when you may need to react to a deer or other obstacle that may unexpectedly be in your path." For more safety tips and state-by-state statistics, please visit http://st8.fm/16Deer. Methodology:

Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation's leading auto insurer, calculates the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose during the time frame of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.

About State Farm:

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 83 million policies and accounts - nearly 81 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 35 on the 2016 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

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