Illinois Crash Fatalities and Injuries Involving Deer Collisions on the Decline

 Posted on October 31, 2012 in Personal Injury

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced recently that fatal crashes, injuries and the number of motorists killed in accidents involving deer declined in 2011. IDOT and IDNR also reminded motorists to once again be alert for deer along roadways during one of the most active periods of the year for wildlife activity.

“Throughout the fall deer hunting season and into the winter months, we strongly remind all motorists to please slow down, drive defensively, obey posted speed limits, and be especially alert for wildlife at night along Illinois roadways,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said. “We are pleased to report the recent decline in fatal crashes involving deer, but much more awareness and care are still needed to drive down the total number of crashes and injuries due to these unfortunate circumstances.”

Accidents involving deer were responsible for six fatalities in 2011, a decrease from 10 fatalities in 2010. Injuries because of an accident involving a deer decreased from 634 in 2010 to 613 in 2011.

The number of deer-vehicle accidents slightly increased to 18,039 in 2011, as compared to 17,135 in 2010, but represents an overall decrease from 18,849 in 2009. About three in every four crashes occurred on rural roadways and 71 percent occurred at twilight or nighttime.

The top 10 Illinois counties for collisions involving deer in 2011 were:

1. Cook County – 554

2. Madison County – 472

3. Peoria County – 435

4. Will County – 422

5. Fulton County – 417

6. Sangamon County – 410

7. Kane County – 395

8. Pike County – 362

9. Lake County – 360

10. LaSalle County – 339

Suffering an injury can be a devastating occurrence for you and the loved ones around you. Don’t go through alone. Get the guidance of a professional and caring personal injury law firm in Illinois to consult on your case today.