Oh Deer! How to Avoid Animal Collisions & What to Do After 

The risk of a deer-car collision is heightened this time of year due to earlier sunsets and less visibility during peak driving hours. Here are a few tips to help you avoid causing a crash, and what to do if one occurs.

Tips to Help Avoid Hitting a Deer 

• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to road signs and warnings, especially near wooded areas and during dusk and dawn, which is when deer are most active. 

• Deer travel in packs, meaning if you spot one deer, there are most likely more. When you see a deer, maintain cautious driving as more deer may follow. 

• On a multi-lane road or highway, stick to the center lanes. If a deer comes from the side of the road, you’ll have more time in the center lane to react. 

• Avoid speeding up if a deer is in your path, and instead try to come to a complete stop. If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve into another lane and try to remain calm.

What To Do In Case of a Collision 

• After a collision with a deer, get to a safe place, check if anyone involved is injured, call the police, document the accident and file a claim. 

• Call the police if the deer is still in the road. The dispatcher will alert the proper authorities to remove the deer. 

• If the deer is alive, avoid approaching or touching the animal. A wounded deer will likely be frightened and dangerous. 

• If you carry Comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, you have coverage for damage to your vehicle due to an animal strike, subject to applicable coverage exclusions. 

• There are around 1.5M deer-car collisions every year*

 • Damages due to deer-car accidents amount to more than $1B in insured losses 

*Based on United States study, source: www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/deer-car-accidents 

< Back to Posts

NJ Auto Insurance, Clinton Auto Insurance, Hunterdon County Auto Insurance, deer claim, deer accident, local insurance agent, auto insurance