I Hit a Deer, What Now? A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide

It’s one of the most jarring and terrifying experiences a driver can have. It happens in a split second. A brown-grey flash, a horrifying *THUD*, and the sound of shattering plastic and metal. You’re in shock, your heart is hammering, and your car is likely mangled.

Hitting a deer is not just a “fender bender.” It’s a violent, dangerous, and emotionally draining event. There are over 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions in the United States every year, causing billions of dollars in damage and, tragically, hundreds of deaths.

What you do in the 30 minutes *after* you hit a deer is critical for your safety and your insurance claim. Panic is your worst enemy. A calm, clear plan is your best friend. This is that plan. We will walk you through, step-by-step, what to do before, during, and after a deer collision.

Part 1: The Split-Second Decision (What to Do *Before* Impact)

Most guides start *after* the impact. We’re starting 1.5 seconds *before*. A deer has just jumped in front of your car. Your instincts are screaming at you to **SWERVE**.

Part 2: The Immediate Aftermath (The First 10 Minutes)

*THUD.* It happened. You’re stopped. You’re shaking. Your airbags may have deployed. Take a deep breath. Now, follow this checklist.

Step 1: Pull Over to a Safe Location

Your car is a hazard. Get it out of the travel lane. Pull as far onto the right shoulder as you possibly can, even if it means driving 100 feet with a flat tire. If you can make it to the next exit or a parking lot, that is even better. Stopping in a live lane of traffic is how second, more deadly, accidents happen.

Step 2: Turn on Your Hazard Lights

Immediately. This is the universal signal for “danger.” This is especially critical if you’re driving in fog, heavy rain, or on a dark road. You must be visible.

Step 3: Stay in Your Vehicle (At First)

Your first instinct is to jump out and check the damage. **Wait.** Take 60 seconds. Check on your passengers. Are you hurt? Are you on a dark, busy highway?

Exiting your vehicle on a dark highway is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Other drivers are distracted, and they will not see you. Stay buckled in, for now.

Step 4: Call 911 (Even if You Feel “Fine”)

This is not an “optional” step. You must call 911. Tell them:

1. “I have been in a deer-vehicle collision.”
2. Your *exact* location. (Use your phone’s GPS, a highway mile marker, or the last exit you passed).
3. If there are any injuries. (Even if you just “don’t feel right.” Adrenaline masks pain).
4. That the car is disabled (if it is).
5. If the deer is in the road, creating a hazard for other drivers.

Why call? You *need* a police report for your insurance company. This is the official document that proves what happened.

Step 5: Assess and Exit (If Safe)

If you are safely on the shoulder and away from traffic, you can now exit the car—*from the side away from the road*. Be aware of your surroundings. Are you on a bridge? In high winds? On a patch of black ice? Be careful.

Part 3: Dealing with the Scene (Documentation & The Deer)

1. Document Everything (Become a Photographer)

While you wait for the police, you have a job. Take out your smartphone. You cannot take too many photos.

• The Car: Get wide shots of the whole car and its position. Get close-ups of *all* damage (shattered headlights, cracked bumper, bent hood, fur/blood).
• The Surroundings: Take photos of the road, any skid marks, the deer crossing sign (if there is one), and the area you pulled over.
• The Deer: If it is safe to do so *from a distance*, take a photo of the deer. This is your proof for the insurance company.

This evidence is non-negotiable for your claim.

2. The Agonizing Part: What About the Deer?

When you call 911, tell the dispatcher the animal’s location. They will contact the appropriate authorities (like the Game Commission or local animal control) to handle it humanely.

Can I “Keep” the Deer?

This is a surprisingly common question. The answer **depends entirely on your state’s laws.** In many states (like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York), it is legal for the driver to claim the carcass for meat, but you *must* get a permit or tag from the responding police officer or game warden. In other states, it is illegal.

**Do not** attempt to move or “field dress” the animal until you have spoken to the police and have an official tag.

Part 4: The Aftermath (Your Car & Your Insurance)

1. Is Your Car Drivable? (The Post-Crash Checklist)

The police are gone, a tow truck is on its way, or maybe… you think you can drive it. Be careful.

• Are your headlights working? If one is out, you can’t drive at night.
• Is the hood buckled? If it’s loose, it could fly up at 50 mph and smash your windshield.
• Is the radiator leaking? Look for green, pink, or orange fluid pouring onto the ground. If you see this, the car is *not* drivable. Driving it will cause a blown head gasket.
• Is the check engine light on? This means a sensor was damaged.
• Does the car shake when you drive? A bent wheel or damaged steering component makes it unsafe.

When in doubt, get a tow. A $150 tow is much cheaper than causing a second accident.

2. Calling Your Insurance Company

Call them as soon as you are safe. This is what you pay them for.

• Use the “Magic Word”: Hitting a deer is typically *not* a “Collision” claim. It is a **”Comprehensive”** claim.
• Why this matters: Comprehensive claims (like theft, hail, or animal strikes) usually do *not* raise your rates and often have a much lower deductible.
• What if I swerved? If you swerved to *miss* the deer and hit a tree, you are now in an **”At-Fault Collision”**. Your rates will likely go up. This is the financial reason (on top of the safety one) why you *do not swerve*.

Provide them with your police report number and your photos. This will make the claim simple.

Part 5: The Prevention Masterclass (How to *Avoid* Hitting a Deer)

The best accident is the one that never happens. This is especially true on a dark road when you’re already using your best night driving skills.

1. Know Your Enemy’s Schedule (Dawn and Dusk)

Deer are “crepuscular,” meaning they are most active during twilight (dawn and dusk). This is the absolute, hands-down, highest-risk time. It’s also when driving at night begins and your visibility is worst. Be on high-alert.

2. Understand “Deer Season” (Fall)

October through December is “the rut” (mating season). Deer are on the move, they are aggressive, and they are *not* paying attention to traffic. This is when the majority of collisions happen.

3. Obey the Yellow Sign

Those yellow, diamond-shaped “deer crossing” signs are not decorations. They are placed in high-traffic, known deer corridors. When you see one, your foot should move off the gas and your eyes should start scanning.

4. The “One Deer” Rule: Where There’s One, There Are More

You see one deer cross the road safely. You breathe a sigh of relief and accelerate. **This is a huge mistake.** Deer travel in groups. The one you *see* is often followed by a second, third, or fourth you *don’t* see. If one crosses, slow down and wait.

5. Use Your High Beams

On any dark, rural road, your high beams are your best tool. They will illuminate the sides of the road and, most importantly, they will catch the **reflection in a deer’s eyes** long before you can see its body. If you see those two “glowing marbles” in the ditch, slow down immediately.

6. What About Deer Whistles? (The Hard Truth)

You’ve seen them at the auto parts store: small, cheap, plastic whistles you stick on your bumper. The “theory” is that they emit a high-pitched sound that scares deer away.

**There is zero scientific evidence that these work.** Multiple studies have shown that deer do not react to them. Do not, under any circumstances, rely on a $5 piece of plastic to save you. Your best tools are your eyes and your brakes. This is *not* one of the best car safety tools; it’s a gimmick.

Part 6: The Two “Must-Have” Products for This Scenario

You can’t prevent every accident, but you can be prepared for the aftermath. These two must-have car gadgets are crucial.

Final Verdict: Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Don’t Swerve

Hitting a deer is a brutal and often unavoidable part of driving in many areas. But it does not have to be a life-altering catastrophe.

By embedding the “Don’t Swerve” rule into your brain, you are protecting yourself from the worst possible outcome. And by having a calm, step-by-step plan for the aftermath, you can turn a moment of chaos into a manageable situation.

Prepare your car, be alert, and drive safe. For more in-depth safety guides, quizzes, and tips, explore all of DriveSafeGuide.com.