How to Avoid Hitting a Deer—and What to Do If You Can’t

The white-tailed deer is a typical sight through much of the year. But when you’re behind the wheel, you may wish it weren’t quite so common.

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), insurance claims for animal-vehicle collisions peak each November—more than twice the average for the study period. HLDI says most of these collisions are believed to involve deer, whose mating season coincides with the November peak. During this time, deer are more active and on the move, increasing the chance of an encounter with a vehicle.

To keep yourself safe on the road—and know what to do when the unexpected happens—here are some tips for avoiding collision with a deer and what to do if one crosses your path.

How to avoid hitting a deer

Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your chances of hitting a deer. Staying alert and knowing when and where deer are most active can give you more time to react. Here are some tips to keep you safe on the road.

Scan the road. Look ahead while driving. This may seem obvious, but too often we get caught up in distractions and lose focus on what’s ahead. If you can spot a deer (or any other animal) ahead of time, you’ll have more time to react appropriately. If you spot one deer, slow down and keep an eye out for others. Deer often travel in groups, so another may be nearby.
Use high beam headlights. When appropriate, high beams can help you spot a deer ahead of time. They can make animals’ reflective eyes easier to see and increase your overall field of vision.
Be cautious at dawn and dusk. Dusk and dawn are peak times for deer-related collisions. Knowing when deer are most active can help you take extra precautions and avoid a collision.
Always wear your seatbelt. According to the Insurance Information Institute, wearing your seatbelt can help protect you from injury if you hit an animal.

What if you can’t avoid hitting a deer?

Unfortunately, there are instances in which you may not be able to avoid the deer. This may be due to inclement weather, not having enough time to react, or the deer simply appearing out of nowhere. When a collision is imminent, knowing how to respond can keep you and others safe.

Don’t swerve. By far, one of the biggest mistakes you can make right before you hit a deer is swerving. It may seem like the right thing to do in the moment, but swerving can cause you to hit another vehicle or someone’s property, potentially resulting in a more serious crash.
Don’t speed up. Speeding up before hitting a deer won’t do you any favors. Instead, it can increase the severity of damage to you and your vehicle.
Apply the brakes. Hold onto your steering wheel, apply the brakes, and do your best to come to a complete stop. Braking can help reduce the speed and force of an impact if a collision can’t be avoided.

What should you do after hitting a deer?

If you’ve hit a deer, there are a few important steps to take to keep yourself and others drivers safe.

Move off the road. Moving off the road keeps you and other drivers safe. Turn on your hazard lights and, if possible, move out of traffic. If your vehicle is inoperable, still try your best to get to a safe spot.
Report the deer if it’s on the road. Reporting the accident to local law enforecment can help in several ways, especially if the injured or deceased deer remains in the roadway and poses a hazard to other drivers.
Assess the damage to your vehicle. If you plan to file an insurance claim, take a few photos of the vehicle and any visible damage. This can help you and your insurance provider when processing the claim.
Don’t automatically assume your car is ok to drive. Once you’ve taken all the necessary steps after hitting a deer, you may be ready to move on. But don’t assume your car is safe to drive. Thoroughly assess your car and any damage before getting back on the road. If you’re unsure, calling for assistance may be the safest option.

Is it illegal to hit a deer and drive off?

In short—hitting a deer itself is not generally a crime. However, whether you are legally required to report the collision depends on your state and the circumstances of the crash. If you swerve and damage another vehicle or property, for example, you should handle the situation as you would with any other vehicle accident.

Even when a report isn’t legally required, you may want to notify authorities if the deer is badly injured or remains in the roadway. An injured deer can pose a potential hazard to other drivers and needs to be safely removed or handled by authorities.

Another factor that warrants an call 911 is if someone in the vehicle is injured.

Do you need to report hitting a deer?

Aside from the the circumstances where reporting is required by law, whether you report a deer collision is generally up to you. However, there are two main reasons you should consider reporting the accident.

Policecan help you navigate what to do after a collision. While the above tips can help prepare you for a less-than-ideal situation, the police will be able to help guide you through the process and ensure you’re taking proper safety measures.
Reporting the collision will help with your insurance claim. An official police report can provide useful documentation when speaking with your insurance company. Unless the damage is minimal or you plan to pay out of pocket, you’ll want to want to notify your insurance company immediately. Your insurance can explain the next steps and what documentation you’ll need.