Wildlife causes around 300,000 reported vehicle accidents each year on roadways across the U.S. Unfortunately, these incidents result in thousands of dollars in collision repairs each year. In fact, the average insurance claim is $3,510. Here's a closer look at the risks wildlife pose as well as how to protect your vehicle and wallet. 

What Damage Can Wildlife Collisions Cause?

In Missouri, deers are the most significant threat of auto damage, causing 38,000 collisions annually. However, smaller species, like hawks and raccoons, can also damage vehicles. The potential for destruction depends on how the collision occurs.

Directly hitting an animal is likely to harm the auto body at a minimum, resulting in dents, scratched paint, and even broken headlights or windshields. If the impact is hard enough or the animal goes underneath the vehicle, the potential damages can include a bent frame, punctured radiator, and cracked bumper. 

Even without direct impact, damage can occur in an effort to miss hitting wildlife. Swerving to the right can cause impact with the ditch or guard railing, while moving to the left can cause a vehicle-on-vehicle collision. In either case, there's a significant risk of physical injury to the driver and any passengers. 

How to Avoid Animals on the Roadway

The foraging location and movement of wildlife is out of a driver's control, but there are a couple of ways to reduce the risk of collision repairs. Firstly, don't swerve or jerk the wheel upon seeing an animal in the roadway. Instead, slow down as quickly and safely possible without slamming on your break, or else you could cause your vehicle to skid and swerve.

In addition, high beams can blind wildlife if they’re staring directly at your vehicle. This will cause them to freeze and become disoriented, increasing your risk of collision if you cannot slow down in time. When driving at night, flip the hi-beams down to your regular headlights. 

If you recently had a wildlife-related collision that totaled your vehicle, return it to its former, aesthetically-pleasing glory with the help of Schneider Auto Body in Columbia, MO. Since 1989, the family-owned auto body shop has provided dependable collision repairs to drivers across Mid-Missouri, including Boone County. Learn more about their commitment to customer satisfaction online, and book a service today at (573) 815-0198.