by LifeIsGood » Tue Sep 30, 2008 07:47 pm
Yes. I know. Brutal. Harsh.
But none the less true.
If you are rockin' down the highway (my hat tip to the Doobie Brothers) and suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer jumps in front of you...
Bambi must die.
Do not swerve to avoid the cute little mammal. Run it down. Become one with Bambi. Substitute the German peace symbol with an antler.
Yes. I know. Cruel.
But consider the alternative. You could slam on your brakes forcing you to slide to the right, taking out the two cars next to you. One of those cars could catapult into the ditch on the side of the road while the other car rolls over five times and smashes into a tree.
The two people in the car that has ended up in the ditch survive. Barely. One has a broken neck and is paralyzed from the neck down. The other has to have their right leg amputated.
The single driver of the car that has ended up against the tree was killed on impact.
Your auto insurance coverages are 50/100/50.
So, boys and girls. Two choices.
1. You have been found 100% at fault in the accident. Judgement is in excess of seven figures. Not only will your paycheck will be garnished...FOREVER, but your home will have a lien placed against it. You can forget about any retirement fund. Your credit is destroyed because the judgement is entered on your credit report. That summer house on the lake? Splash around in the tub instead. That new Mercedes? Can you say Kia? Winter vacation in the snow? Scrape out the bottom of your freezer and throw it at your spouse.
I won't even mention the lifetime of guilt you will probably feel.
Or....
2. Kill Bambi. Pay your deductible and let your insurance company repair the car.
But none the less true.
If you are rockin' down the highway (my hat tip to the Doobie Brothers) and suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer jumps in front of you...
Bambi must die.
Do not swerve to avoid the cute little mammal. Run it down. Become one with Bambi. Substitute the German peace symbol with an antler.
Yes. I know. Cruel.
But consider the alternative. You could slam on your brakes forcing you to slide to the right, taking out the two cars next to you. One of those cars could catapult into the ditch on the side of the road while the other car rolls over five times and smashes into a tree.
The two people in the car that has ended up in the ditch survive. Barely. One has a broken neck and is paralyzed from the neck down. The other has to have their right leg amputated.
The single driver of the car that has ended up against the tree was killed on impact.
Your auto insurance coverages are 50/100/50.
So, boys and girls. Two choices.
1. You have been found 100% at fault in the accident. Judgement is in excess of seven figures. Not only will your paycheck will be garnished...FOREVER, but your home will have a lien placed against it. You can forget about any retirement fund. Your credit is destroyed because the judgement is entered on your credit report. That summer house on the lake? Splash around in the tub instead. That new Mercedes? Can you say Kia? Winter vacation in the snow? Scrape out the bottom of your freezer and throw it at your spouse.
I won't even mention the lifetime of guilt you will probably feel.
Or....
2. Kill Bambi. Pay your deductible and let your insurance company repair the car.
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:26 am Post Subject:
I was driving down a country lane with my husband and a deer jumped in front of my car and I swerved to miss it. I went off the road, momentarily dazed I realized I was heading for a pine tree, so I cut the wheel back quickly and lost control and was headed for another green pine. I lost control and rolled into a ravine and severely damaged my car; but we're allright. We have a new car now, and my husband Dagwood won' t let me put anymore pine tree air freshners on my rear view mirror anymore.
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 01:28 am Post Subject:
oh blondie that was a good one...and unfortunately would be considered a collision and not comp loss...
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:35 pm Post Subject:
Lori...is it true that people should just hit the deer? I heard this and thought it to be cruel but when it plays out like the above scenario I wouldn't think a deer would be worth a $500 deductible. I would probaly swerve regardless. Always do.
Blondie, I have to agree with the hubby...no more pine tree air freshners. Thanks for sharing your story.
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:52 pm Post Subject:
Lori...is it true that people should just hit the deer? I heard this and thought it to be cruel but when it plays out like the above scenario I wouldn't think a deer would be worth a $500 deductible.
Yes, in most cases it is for many reasons, first, it's comp not collision, thus in most cases a non-chargeable accident, so no increase in premium...but more importantly, you have a lot higher risk of injury if you swerve, you could lose track of your surroundings doing so, hit another vehicle head on, hit a tree and on and on..most injuries that I've seen relating to 'deer' at all have not been from hitting the deer, rather from trying to avoid it and hitting something or someone else...although deer cause a lot of damage, these accidents rarely involve injuries, deer 'give' meaning they are ply-able, the hit and roll or bounce off, unlike another vehicle or a tree, or guard rail that don't have much 'give' to them...same of course applys to any animal...I would probaly swerve regardless. Always do.
I think we all do initially anyway, it's a natural reflex..Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 01:23 pm Post Subject:
I didn't even take into consideration the fact that your premiums would go up. I guess thats another good reason to just hit it. My husband has this down to an art. He says usually its best to just keep going and not brake. His idea on this is that where you see one deer there is usually two. So its best to not break and take the chance of hitting the first one because if you do brake and miss the first chances are the second one will get you. No idea how he came up with this calculation but I am not on the road as much anymore..my right arm being "damaged" makes it kind of hard to manuver sharp curves and tight parking spots. I still drive jsut if their is someone else to do it I just jump in the other side.
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 01:46 pm Post Subject:
your husband is probably right...dang it don't you hate when that happens! :wink:
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 01:52 pm Post Subject:
Oh yeah....Just got to grin and bear it and relize this is a once in a blue moon kind of thing (him being right). LOL
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