Fall is right around the corner here in Minnesota, and that means deer and other wildlife will become more active as mating and hunting season arrive. Autumn is also a time when the leaves change colors and we lose daylight, which makes it harder for us to see animals on the move. In fact, Minnesota ranks tenth in the nation in terms of a person’s likelihood of striking a deer, as 1 in 64 Minnesota drivers can expect to strike a deer with their vehicle this year.
So if you are that unlucky person who strikes a deer this year and you are injured as a result of the crash, who pays your medical bills? Are you stuck with the bills, or can you work to recoup some of those costs? We explain who pays your medical bills if you’re injured in a car accident involving a deer in Minnesota.
Does Insurance Pay For Medical Bills After A Car Accident With A Deer?
If you are unlucky enough to be injured in an automobile accident involving a deer or other wildlife in Minnesota, you can take some solace in knowing that your medical bills will be covered by your car insurance. Minnesota is considered a No Fault state, which means that even if you caused the accident, you are entitled to No Fault benefits because you carry automobile insurance. You may not feel like you were at fault for the accident, but when it comes to a single-vehicle accident involving a deer in Minnesota, it doesn’t really matter, because you are covered by No Fault benefits.
Your No Fault benefits also extend to passengers who may be injured in the accident. If you’re a passenger and you are injured because your driver struck a deer or crashed while driving to avoid a deer, you are entitled to collect No Fault benefits through the driver’s insurance. This can cover expenses like medical bills or lost wages.
If you’re a passenger and you are injured in a car-deer accident where the driver was acting negligently, you may also have additional forms of recourse. You may also be eligible for pain and suffering damages through the driver’s liability insurance if they were acting negligently at the time of the crash. If they were excessively speeding or didn’t see the deer until it was too late because they were distracted by their cell phone, you may be able to collect additional injury compensation.
There are also a number of different scenarios involving deer that we aren’t going to cover in this blog because they are pretty unique. For example, if you were involved in a crash because someone else swerved to avoid a deer, or if someone struck a deer and sent it into your lane and then you sustained damages or injuries from hitting the deer. These will all need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but know that at a minimum, you likely have recourse through your automobile’s No Fault insurance policy.
If this is still confusing, don’t worry about it. We know that you have a lot on your plate after an automobile accident, especially if you or a loved one are injured. Don’t stress out about bills or recouping compensation. Instead, sync up with a personal injury and car accident law firm like Hey Workers and let us get you the compensation you deserve. You focus on your health, and we’ll focus on ensuring you get the money you deserve after an accident. For more information or for questions about any deer-related automobile accidents, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.
