It may not be at the front of many drivers' minds, but deer can be a serious problem while out on the road. The friendly woodland creatures seemingly come out of nowhere and can not only cause significant damage to a car but also serious personal injury. With deer season rapidly approaching, Michigan Auto Law recently offered a few tips on how to avoid collisions with deer in the coming months.

Much of the advice offered can also be heeded all year long. First and foremost, fastening your seat belt is most important because it has long proven to be one of the best ways to prevent injury in the event of a collision – with a deer or otherwise.

While making sure you're strapped in seems like common sense, some other tips may not be so easy to recognize. For instance, experts tell drivers not to swerve out of the way because hitting the deer with your car is much preferable to losing control and driving into oncoming traffic.

"The worst thing you can ever do is swerve your car or slam on your brakes to avoid a deer," said personal injury lawyer Steven M. Gursten. "It’s far better to kill the deer than it is to seriously kill yourself or someone else by veering into oncoming traffic, slamming into a tree or getting rear-ended."

Experts also say that you should be especially on the look out for deer during dawn and dusk, as deer-related accidents tend to peak between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. as well as 3 a.m. and 6 a.m

Along with being alert on the road, having a car that is well maintained can also keep you safe. New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care center not only offers drivers with auto repairs but it also provide general upkeep.