As 2021's winter snow and ice drama begins to melt into memory, drivers should beware of the increased risk of vehicle-wildlife accidents that arrive with warmer weather. Wild animals are waking up, growing up, looking for food and just generally moving around in springtime. Those that are sensitive to changes in the weather can be especially active, regardless of whether there's a road to cross in their travels. "The increase in active animal population potentially increases the risk of hitting an animal with a vehicle while driving in wildlife-prone areas," Nevada Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson said in a March 19 press release. "Wildlife-vehicle collisions are not only dangerous and potentially fatal, but they can also have serious financial consequences [for drivers] without adequate auto insurance coverage." While it may be pleasant to gaze at a deer out the window during a springtime drive, vehicle-animal collisions can be lethal to both people and wildlife. "There was a general upward trend in deaths from collisions with animals" from 1975 through the mid-2000s, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. During 2018, 190 people died in auto accidents with animals. The slideshow above illustrates the top five states for animal-collision claims in 2020, according to State Farm. The Nevada Department of Insurance raised the issue this week in hopes of alerting drivers to the fact that only comprehensive automotive insurance will cover vehicle damage caused by colliding with an animal. Simple collision or liability insurance would not cover such an accident. Here are tips from the Nevada Department of Insurance for avoiding an animal collision:

• Obey all speed limits, traffic signs and regulations.
• Wear seatbelts and limit distractions while driving.
• Heed animal warning signs. Be alert for the potential of wildlife, particularly where wildlife warning signs are posted.
• Actively scan all sides of the road as you drive and look for any signs of wildlife.
• Slow down or otherwise adjust driving speeds if necessary to help reduce the chance of impact of an animal collision.
• Remember that many accidents are not due to colliding with wildlife but are the result of driving into another car or truck in the opposite lane while trying to avoid colliding with the animal.
• Herd animals such as deer and elk travel in groups. If you see one deer, there is a strong likelihood that others may be nearby or in other locations along the road.
• Use your vehicle's high beams at night to view the roadway ahead when there is no oncoming traffic.

And here's what the Nevada Department of Insurance says a driver should do if an animal collision occurs:

• Don't try to swerve to avoid hitting an animal because you could lose control and hit a tree or veer into oncoming traffic. If you swerve and hit another object, your insurance carrier may not cover the damages to your vehicle. If you do hit an animal:
• Stay calm.
• If possible, move your vehicle to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights.
• If you can't move your car, or the animal carcass is blocking traffic, alert the authorities so they can clear the roadway.
• Document the incident by taking photos of your vehicle damage, the roadway and any injuries sustained. These accidents often occur at night and in remote areas with limited cellphone service, so it is important to gather as much information before leaving the scene. This will also help adjusters review the extent of the damage.
• Check to see if your vehicle is safe to operate. Check for leaking fluid, damaged lights, loose parts, or other safety hazards. When in doubt, call a tow truck.
• Call your insurance carrier to file a claim.

Related:

• 15 states with the highest roadway animal accidents in the fall
• Oh, deer! What drivers should know about animal collisions
• Strange auto accidents: What kind of insurance coverage applies?