SEATTLE - Animal crashes can happen at any time, but the problem gets worse in the fall. It spikes in November, which is the breeding season for deer.

They come out of nowhere, and there's almost no time to react.

The Washington Department of Transportation says about 3,000 car-deer collisions take place in the state each year.

According to State Farm Insurance, the largest auto insurer in the country, animal strikes have increased by about 15 percent in the last 5 years.

And crash deaths have gone up dramatically. In 2000, there were 150 deaths blamed on animal strikes. In 2007, that jumped to 223.

So when you see a sign that warns you of deer crossings, pay attention.

"You want to slow down because those signs are telling you the chance of a deer popping out on the road is pretty high," said Trooper Curt Boyle.

Obviously, if you can avoid hitting the animal you try to do that, but what if you can't?

"What I learned when I was a young trooper in the Academy was, it it's lower than your hood, go through it. If it's above your hood, avoid it.

"If it's a small deer and you're going to have to hit it, it's better to hit the deer. It will cause damage to your vehicle an yes, unfortunately, you will kill the deer, but you're not going to hit someone else; you're not going to put your family in jeopardy by rolling the vehicle or getting into a collision with another vehicle," Boyle said.

There's a good chance the problem is going to get worse. The deer population is growing. And drivers are more likely to run into them as housing continues to move further and further into animal habitat.

In this part of the state we also have a significant problem with elk. If an elk comes crashing through your windshield, there's a good chance someone inside the car won't make it.

So if you see signs that warn of elk crossing, you need to be extra careful, especially at dusk and through the evening when it's hard to see them alongside the road.

More information:

Collisions with deer and other animals spike in November; fatal crashes up 50% since 2000