About 1.35 million car-deer collisions occur each year. Taking a long drive down a country road or mountain pass increases your risk of hitting a deer, especially at dawn or dusk. Even if you’re extra vigilant, animal collisions on roadways are always possible. Incidents increase in the fall and early winter, so now’s the time to learn what to do if you hit a deer. This way, you’ll be prepared if this accident happens to you.
I Hit a Deer…Now What?
- Move your car off the road, if possible, to prevent further incidents with other vehicles. Turn on your hazard lights for safety. If you must leave your car for some reason, keep off the road and away from oncoming traffic.
- Make sure all passengers are okay. Check with other adults and children in the car to make sure no one is seriously hurt. Whiplash is the most common injury vehicle occupants may sustain. Children may also be frightened and upset, so try to keep everyone calm.
- Call the police. Explain what happened and where you’re located. Alert the authorities if the deer is blocking traffic and creating a hazard for other drivers. If the collision caused injuries or property damage, be prepared to fill out an official police report. This may prove useful when filing a claim with your car insurance company.
- Take photos. This documentation is important for insurance purposes. Photograph the roadway and your surroundings, any vehicle damage, the wounded deer, and injuries you or other passengers sustained.
- Collect contact information from witnesses. If anyone saw the incident occur or stopped to help, write down their account of what happened and ask for their name and phone number.
- Do not approach the deer. If the deer is injured and can’t run off, stay away from it. The animal could be dangerous, even in this wounded condition, by lashing out with powerful legs and sharp hooves.
- Call your insurance company while you wait for the police to arrive. The number to call should be on your insurance card. The sooner you report the accident, the faster you can start the claim process.
- Assess the damage to your car to determine if it’s drivable or needs a tow. If you see leaking fluids, damaged tires, loose components, broken lights, or a hood that won’t latch, assume the car is unsafe to drive. When the police arrive, find out if they will call a tow truck or if you need to take care of this yourself.
- If your car seems safe to drive, pay close attention to the oil pressure and temperature gauge while you’re driving. If any dashboard indicator lights come on, pull over right away and call for a tow truck.
Choose Glass Doctor® for Auto Glass Repair
If you have comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, you can expect to receive help paying for repairs or a replacement vehicle. The most important part is deciding where to go to repair the damage.
Glass Doctor offers the auto glass services you need after hitting a deer, including windshield replacement and headlight repair. We have been repairing auto glass damage for over 30 years. If you don’t feel comfortable working with your insurance company, we can help. Our experience makes the claim process fast and painless, so you can get back on the road before long. Contact Glass Doctor if you need to replace the auto glass in your car after hitting a deer.