How rare is it to hit a deer?

U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, mostly deer, according to the State Farm annual study.

How common is hitting a deer?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1.6 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year, resulting in 200 fatalities, tens of thousands of injuries and over $3.6 billion in vehicle damage.

What are the odds of hitting a deer with your car?

And after recording the odds of every state (except Hawaii, since there are no deer there) and taking the average, US drivers have a 1 in 115 chance of hitting a deer. Obviously, it depends where you live.

Should you hit a deer or avoid it?

Don't swerve to avoid hitting a deer

Studies show that more serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid an animal. Swerving could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and possibly roll over or hit another car or object.

Can hitting a deer be fatal?

Deer–vehicle collisions lead to about 200 human deaths and $1.1 billion in property damage every year. State and federal governments, insurance companies, and drivers spend an additional $3 billion in an effort to reduce and manage the increasing number of deer-vehicle collisions.

Deer vs Cars

Is hitting a deer an act of God?

Normally when you are driving and hit something in the road then the damage would be covered under collision. However, hitting a deer (or any other animal) is considered a comprehensive claim since it is an unexpected variable and falls under the category of an "act of god," much like hail damage or vandalism.

Is hitting a deer a big deal?

They cause more damage than you might expect.

Hitting an average-sized doe can result in extensive damage to your car, especially if you're driving a compact vehicle or a sedan. Vehicles have been totaled by a single deer collision, depending on the speed, where the deer hit, etc.

Is hitting a deer traumatic?

Hitting a deer is a traumatizing experience, but try to take a deep breath and remind yourself that this happens to millions of other drivers as well. Slowly maneuver your vehicle away from the deer and off to the side of the road before you get out. Be sure to also turn on your hazards to alert other drivers.

Why do deers run in front of cars?

Deer don't jump in front of cars deliberately. Most are spooked by the sounds of the traffic and become confused as to which way to run. They may dart out in front of cars, stand still in the road, and even run towards moving vehicles when they mean to run away from them.

What time are you most likely to hit a deer?

Deer are most active at dawn, dusk, and for a few hours after the sun sets. They're also more prevalent during mating season, which runs from October to January. Animal strike claims are more than twice as likely in November than any other time of the year.

Should I hit a deer while driving?

If you see a deer in the road, don't swerve to avoid it. You'll likely end up hitting a guardrail or tree instead and cause more injuries. Hard as it may be, it's best to strike the deer.

What state hits the most deer?

What state has the most car accidents with deer? West Virginia is the state with the greatest number of deer-car accidents. There is a one in 37 odds of a car collision involving a deer. Meanwhile, the least risky is Washington, D.C. at one in 816.

Is hitting a deer a preventable accident?

Don't Veer for Deer This Fall

For professional truck drivers, animal strikes are considered non-preventable accidents, but if you swerve or leave the roadway to avoid hitting the animal, the accident could be deemed preventable.

Is it better to hit a deer fast or slow?

Don't Speed Up

Reducing your speed will decrease the amount of damage that is done to your car and the chance of injury. Additionally, if you are able to slow down you may be able to avoid hitting the deer entirely.

Is it common to hit deer during the day?

Deer are most active when many people are commuting to and from work, resulting in increased collisions. While your chance of hitting a deer varies, in general, deer-vehicle collisions are most likely to occur during these conditions: At dawn and dusk when deer are most active.

Why do so many deers get hit?

But the main reason for these collisions is that deer don't practice safe sex. They are more focused on reproducing than safety. Most collisions occur in November when males are in rut, or heat, Flinn says. They are paying far more attention to does than to SUVs barreling down the highway.

What scares deer away while driving?

If you see a deer, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast. If you're wondering how to scare a deer away from your car, using the horn is probably the best method. You can use your headlights as well. Deer are easily mesmerized by consistent light, so flashing your lights may also help get the deer moving.

Can a deer ruin your car?

Even if your vehicle isn't damaged beyond repair, hitting a deer can result in broken headlights, windshield damage, a crushed bumper, and more. Make sure you have the right amount of auto insurance coverage in case expensive repairs are needed.

How do deer avoid car collisions?

Use high beam headlights if driving at night, when there is no oncoming traffic. The higher light will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway. Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away. Brake firmly but stay in your lane when you notice a deer in or near your path.

How do you recover from hitting a deer?

What to do if you hit a deer but its still alive?

What happens if you hit a deer at 60 mph?

Hitting a deer at 50 or 60 miles per hour will cause extensive damage to the front end of a vehicle. In most cases there are multiple punctures of the car's radiator, causing coolant to leak out. Driving a car after a deer collision will likely cause overheating and possible engine damage.

Should you call 911 if you hit a deer?

Call the police and let them know you've hit a deer. The 911 dispatcher will alert the proper law enforcement authorities to assist you. Be sure to let the dispatcher know if the deer is blocking traffic or poses a potential threat to other drivers.

Will a deer come back after being hit?

“Yes, a mature buck will come back to the area where he was wounded,” says Kip Adams of the Quality Deer Management Association. “Depending on where it occurred, maybe in an open food plot or field, a buck might not move in during daylight hours for a while, but he's not leaving his home range.

Where do most deer accidents occur?

Montana (1 in 44 chance of a crash), South Dakota (1 in 51 chance), Michigan (1 in 51 chance of a crash) and Wisconsin (1 in 54) are at the top of the list. Rounding out the top 10 states where drivers are most likely to collide with an animal are Pennsylvania, Iowa, Mississippi, North Dakota and Wyoming.