A collision with a deer is a sudden and stressful event. The immediate aftermath requires a clear approach to ensure safety, comply with legal requirements, and manage financial consequences. This guide breaks down the necessary actions and calls.
Immediate Safety and Assessment
The first priority after hitting a deer is securing the scene and checking for injuries. If your vehicle is operational, move it safely to the side of the road, away from traffic, and activate your hazard lights. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, calling 911 for medical assistance if necessary.
Next, assess the vehicle for safety hazards, such as leaking fluids, loose parts, or a hood that will not latch securely. Remain inside your vehicle until law enforcement arrives, especially if the accident occurred at night or on a busy road. Do not approach or attempt to touch the deer, as a frightened or wounded animal can be unpredictable and may cause harm.
The First Call: Law Enforcement
Contacting the local police or state highway patrol is the next step, even if the damage appears minor. While some states do not mandate a police report for a deer strike, an official report is highly recommended for the insurance claim process. Use the non-emergency line unless the deer is blocking the roadway, the vehicle is disabled, or there are human injuries, which warrants a 911 call.
The responding officer will document the time, location, and circumstances of the incident, which provides verification for your insurance company. This official documentation helps distinguish the incident as a non-collision animal strike rather than a collision with another vehicle. The officer will also determine the appropriate action for the animal. Obtain the officer’s name and the official report number before they leave the scene.
The Second Call: Insurance Provider
After securing the police report, contact your insurance agent or company to initiate the claim process. Damage resulting from hitting a deer is typically covered under the Comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy, not Collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage protects against damages from events considered “other than collision,” such as theft, vandalism, fire, and animal strikes.
Understanding this distinction is important, as Collision coverage applies only if you strike another vehicle or an inanimate object, like a tree or guardrail. For example, if you swerve to avoid the deer and hit a fence, that incident is classified as a Collision claim. When filing a Comprehensive claim for a deer strike, you pay your deductible, and the insurer covers the remaining repair costs up to the vehicle’s actual cash value.
The Third Call: Carcass Removal and Towing
The final calls address removing the animal and the damaged vehicle from the scene. Responsibility for removing a deer carcass from a public road usually falls to the entity that maintains the roadway. This may be the state Department of Transportation (DOT) for highways, or the local municipal public works or police department for city and county roads.
Ask the responding law enforcement officer who to contact, as they will have the most current information for the specific location. If your vehicle is not drivable, you must arrange for a tow service. This service can often be coordinated through your insurance company as part of your policy benefits, or you may need to call an independent tow service if roadside assistance is not included in your coverage.