What to Do If You Hit a Deer
While deer can be seen in backyards and roadsides year-round, they tend to be especially active in the fall, leading up to the fall breeding season, which is also called the “rut,” according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission . . When deer are focused on finding and possibly stalking their future mate, they don’t look both ways before crossing the street. Additionally, fewer hours of daylight means we spend more time driving in the dark, when it can be especially difficult to spot deer about to cross the road.
No matter how vigilant you are, sometimes things get out of your control and you end up hitting a deer while driving. Here’s what to do if this happens and some tips to help you avoid this type of collision.
Move to a safe place
“The first step is to try to move your vehicle to a safe part of the roadway,” says Paul Grattan Jr., a retired sergeant and 22-year veteran of the NYPD, where he oversaw media and communications with NYPD leaders. Transit Bureau. Turn on your hazard lights and try to pull over to the side of the road or to a nearby area that is further away from traffic.
If your car is running rough or not turning the way you expect, Grattan advises stopping where you are. After a collision, you may hear noise from the bumpers, fenders, and other parts of the vehicle rubbing against the tires or the ground. “In these circumstances, it is generally safer to try to move the vehicle a short distance to safety rather than worry about further minor damage to the vehicle,” he says.
Stay in the vehicle and call for help
Remain in your vehicle with your hazard lights on and call 911 to report the accident and any injuries, says Patti Yencho of Professional Insurance Advisors , who has more than 26 years of experience in the insurance industry. Make sure you and your passengers remain safe until authorities arrive.
Take notes
Record the time and location of the accident, as well as any other information that would be helpful for a police report and/or insurance claim, says Alex Adekola, CEO and founder of ReadyAdjuster . Not sure if your car insurance will cover you for an accident? “Hiting a deer is covered under comprehensive coverage, not collision, so be sure to check your policy to see if it is covered.”
Take photos
Once you’re in a safe location, photograph any damage to your car from multiple angles and record it in as much detail as possible, says Eamonn Turley, car and insurance expert and CEO. time multi quotes. “This documentation can be critical when you file a claim with your insurance company to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your repairs.”
Make sure your car is safe to drive
You’ve already moved your car to a safe part of the road, but how do you know if it’s safe to drive to your destination or if it should be towed? According to Grattan, there are several signs that a car might be better towed than driven. Here are some examples:
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There are fluid leaks. More than a few drops of liquid are cause for concern.
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The airbags deployed.
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There is a problem with visibility: the hood is blocking the view or the windshield is badly cracked.
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The vehicle smokes or emits a lot of smoke.
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The brake pedal feels different – it sinks to the floor and seems “soft” or less firm.
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The lighting is broken.
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Parts of the body come into contact with tires or the ground.
“Also, make sure there’s nothing dragging under your car,” says Ethan Pickner, founder of AZ Health Insurance Brokers .
What to do with a deer
First of all, keep a safe distance from the deer. “Between an injured animal panicking or becoming defensive, a doe trying to protect her young, or additional traffic safety concerns caused by the situation, the safest option is to leave the deer alone,” Grattan says.
If a deer is in the roadway and poses a danger to others, you can flash your headlights to signal other motorists, but don’t put yourself in any danger, Turley says.
If you alert police to the incident, they will likely involve the appropriate authorities to deal with deer, such as local road crews or Department of Transportation personnel, Grattan says. “Many police departments, especially in areas where deer collisions are common, have a policy of assessing the condition of the animal and, if necessary, humanely euthanizing it,” he explains. “In some cases, police contact local residents who take the deceased deer so it can be processed and eaten.”
If in doubt, contact your local wildlife authority or animal control agency, Turley says.
How to avoid hitting a deer
While deer can be unpredictable, especially in the fall, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of running into them while driving. These include:
Travel at a safe speed
According to Grattan, staying at a safe speed is the best way to not only avoid hitting a deer, but also to avoid more serious damage or injury if one happens.
Be especially vigilant at both dawn and dusk.
Be observant and always use caution when driving, especially where deer crossing areas are marked. But be especially careful at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active, Turley says.
Use high beams
“Use your high beams to illuminate the sides of the road when driving in the dark,” says Yencho, “just be sure to turn them off when you see oncoming traffic.”
Look for your eyes
“When driving in the dark, watch for the reflection of deer’s eyes in your headlights,” Jencho advises. This is often the first and sometimes only part of the deer you will see at night.
Suppose there is a group
Deer often travel in groups, Turley says, so if you see one, know that others may soon follow.
What to do if hitting a deer is inevitable
There may also be times when you only notice a deer when it’s too late and you know a collision is imminent. If this happens, keep both hands on the wheel and reduce your speed as quickly as possible, Pickner says. Slowing down, Yencho suggests honking the horn to try to scare off the deer.
“The most important thing is to keep moving in a straight line without swerving around them,” he explains. “Many times people swerve and end up in a ditch, suffering more damage than if they had collided with a deer.” In a similar vein, Grattan says that in some cases, it may be safer to hit a deer than to make an evasive maneuver that puts you in even greater danger, such as hitting a tree or driving off the road.