What To Do After A Deer Collision

Deer collisions are an unfortunate reality for New Albany drivers, especially during peak migration seasons. If it happens to you, knowing what to do if you hit a deer can protect your safety, vehicle, and insurance claim. Does insurance (collision or comprehensive) cover hitting a deer? At Byers Collision Center, we help drivers recover after animal-related accidents.

What To Do If You Hit A Deer: The Immediate Aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of an auto-deer collision, you need to take the following steps to ensure your safety and that of your passengers and other drivers:

1. Immediately move your vehicle to a safe spot, such as the side of the road, and turn on your hazard lights. Do not assume that your vehicle is safe to drive yet. If you can’t move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and get yourself and any passengers out of the way of any oncoming traffic.
2. Alert the authorities to let them know that a deer is blocking traffic. You can contact 911 or local law enforcement in the Pickerington area, but either way, it’s important that the authorities know that there’s a threat to driver safety on the road. You may also need to fill out an official report if there was any injury or property damage. If someone was injured, contact EMT services in addition to the police. 
3. Document the incident by taking photographs of the road, your current surroundings, your vehicle, the animal, and any injuries sustained by you or your passengers. You should also get witness statements and contact information from those who may have been around during the collision or stopped to assist you afterward.
4. Stay away from the deer! First of all, if the deer didn’t perish from the collision, you have a frightened and wounded wild animal on your hands. Since you don’t know how it will respond, the safest bet is to stay away from it. And even if it was killed on impact, you don’t know if the deer was carrying diseases that can still be transmitted via touch after death. Let the authorities secure the scene and determine next steps.
5. Check to see if your car is in a drivable condition. After you’ve completed the first four steps, get a status on your vehicle. Check for leaking fluids, tire damage, loose parts, broken lights, and other issues to determine whether your vehicle can safely be driven to the nearest auto repair shop. If it isn’t in a drivable condition, call for a tow.
6. Contact your insurance agent to report the damage/injuries and to start a claim.

Does Hitting A Deer Raise Your Insurance?

Hitting a deer usually won’t substantially increase your insurance premiums. This is because hitting a deer falls under comprehensive “no-fault” coverage, and any damage to private property or to other vehicles is covered by legally-mandated liability insurance. That said, any claims filed will end up on your insurance record, and claim frequency may affect your auto insurance rates.

On the other hand, if you swerved to avoid the deer and got into an accident as a result of that maneuver, this will be treated as a collision claim, and you will likely be considered at-fault. While your collision coverage plan should cover the damage (after you’ve met your collision deductible), your insurance rates may go up since this is considered an “at-fault” accident. Instead of swerving sharply to avoid the deer, it is advised that you brake firmly instead.

Visit Byers Collision Center After The Deer Accident

We work directly with insurance companies to safely and correctly restore vehicles after deer collisions. If you’re unsure what to do if you hit a deer, our Columbus team can guide you through inspections, repairs, and insurance coordination. Schedule an assessment and get back on the Gahanna roads with confidence! If you have any questions, please contact us.