Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
In a recent auto accident in Ashburnham between a motorcycle and a moose, two were killed — man and moose. According to Sentinel and Enterprise, the weekend accident happened on Route 119 when a 38-year-old biker accidentally drove into a moose that was crossing the road. The male driver was killed and his 40-year-old wife, who was a passenger on his motorcycle, was severely injured in the collision.
Officials estimate that the moose weighed about 700 pounds. Ashburnham police Sgt. Chris Conrad reports that the two motorcyclists were thrown from the bike in the accident. Reports also indicate that the moose was crossing the road, in front of the bikers, about a mile from the New Hampshire border when it all happened. The moose was also killed in the accident, according to State police spokesman David Procopio. A local towing company removed the animal from the accident scene. Conrad concludes that the incident appeared to have been unavoidable.
“The moose weighed between 600 and 800 pounds. Unfortunately, it’s just one of those things that was unpreventable. We had a moose hit two days earlier. It’s fairly common up there,” said Conrad.
Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers understand that there are some wild dangers that we need to cautious of, as drivers, on our roadways. Moose and other wild animals typically are not as big a danger as other motorists on the road, but they do contribute to the risks. Drivers are urged to be cautious when driving and to keep an eye out for crossing animals. You may think your odds of hitting a crossing animal are relatively low, but remember it only takes once. Avoid that once and be safe and alert behind the wheel.
Police are encouraging drivers to be cautious in areas where animals, especially large animals like deer and moose, are known to cross roadways.
Every year, there are more than 500,000 deer-auto accidents that wind up killing about 100 people and injuring thousands more. While deer are commonly the victims of the animal family in animal-related car accidents, motorists can still be involved in accidents with a number of other animals. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), these kinds of accidents run about $2,000 per claim. The recent explosion in the deer and moose population has led to a dramatic increase in these kinds of accidents. Back in the 80s, there were about 10 million deer recorded in the U.S. Today, there have been more than 25 million recorded. Auto accidents with animals account for nearly 5 percent of all accidents in the U.S.
Tips to Help You Avoid A Car Accident with An Animal:
-Be on the lookout for warning signs. If you see signs in the area that warn of crossing animals, you should take extra care behind the wheel. Stay extra alert in these areas.
-Be sure to drive at a safe speed. Never speed when you expect moose or deer to be nearby. Slowing down will help you to better react to an animal should you see one near or on the roadway.
-Be extra cautious near sunrise and sunset. This is when the animals come out.
-Use your high beams.
-Stay in the center lane or near the center of a two-lane roadway. Stay away from the edge of the road.
-Always expect the unexpected.
-Honk your horn if you see a deer.
-Try not to swerve. Brake firmly if you see a deer. You could collide into another vehicle instead of the deer if you swerve without knowing your surroundings.
-If you know you’re going to hit a deer, take your foot off the brake right before hitting it. This will cause the front of your vehicle to lift slightly and this will help to stop the animal from traveling into your windshield upon collision.
-If you’re going to crash with a moose, lean toward the door pillar to avoid being crushed by the impact of the collision.
If you or someone in your family has been injured or killed in an accident in the Boston area, contact Massachusetts Car Accident Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (617) 777-7777.
Additional Resources:
Tewksbury motorcyclist killed in crash with moose in Ashburnham, by Katina Caraganis, Sentinel and Enterprise
More Blog Entries:
Adjust to Daylight Saving Time to Avoid Auto Accidents in Braintree and Elsewhere, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, March 15, 2012
Children Better Protected in Boston Car Accidents with New Kid Crash Dummy, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, March 9, 2012