Did You Recently Hit A Deer?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, Pennsylvania ranks number three nationwide for reported accidents involving an animal.  

Just shy of two million deer-vehicle accidents occur nationwide each year, resulting in over 200 fatalities, thousands of injuries, and almost 4 billion dollars in vehicle damage. 

At Autotexs, we see a lot of damage caused by animal strikes. So, we thought we would take a minute to give you some tips to help you stay safe, and minimize damage.

1. Deer are pack animals.

If a deer crosses in front of you, chances are the rest of the pack are not far behind. Slow down, keep both hands on the wheel and keep an eye out for more deer darting across the road.

2. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn.

While it’s not unheard of to hit a deer during the day, they are most active during the dusk and dawn hours when it is harder to see them. Deer are more active during mating season (between October and January) and are more likely to cross your path after the sunsets. So watch for the yellow deer signs, and when you see one, slow down and stay alert, especially after dark.

3. Turn on your headlights (Even during the day).

We recommend traveling with your headlights on, even during daylight hours. A deer’s eyes will brightly reflect your headlights. Not only do headlights work for spotting deer, but they also help the deer see you, and they may move on out of your way. Keep an eye out for the yellow triangle deer signs as this is where they are most active.

4. Use the center lane if there is one.

If there are three lanes in your direction, and the law allows, we recommend using the center lane. On a three-lane highway, the center lane can be your safest option for avoiding a deer strike. The center lane gives both you and the deer plenty of space and added time to avoid hitting each other. 

5. Use your brakes, not your steering wheel.

If you see a deer, use your brakes to slow down and stay in your lane. Do not slam on your brakes, as this can cause you to lose control, especially if the roadway is wet or covered with ice and snow. Do not use your steering wheel to swerve. Swerving to avoid the deer can make a bad situation much worse. Not to mention, deer are unpredictable, and you could weave right into it. Slowing down helps you maintain control of the vehicle and minimize any impact damage.

6. Use your car horn.

Some experts have said that a long blast from your car horn is more effective than a car-mounted deer whistle. So, if you see a deer, we recommend you slow down, stay in your lane, and blast your horn. Do not swerve or slam on the brakes. Always maintain control of your vehicle.

Hitting a deer, or any animal for that matter can be traumatic for both you and the animal. Here is what we recommend you do when your vehicle is involved in an animal strike.

1.) Pull to the side of the road as soon as you can safely do so.

2.) Turn on your road hazard lights and remain in the vehicle. 

3.) If the deer is close by, stay in your vehicle. Do not approach the deer as it could jump up and seriously injure you.

4.) Call 911 emergency services if you or another person are injured.

5.) Call the local police if your vehicle is damaged. The accident report will help you with your insurance claim. If the deer is in the road or close to it, be sure to tell the police. The police will notify the appropriate agency that can remove the deer.

6.) Contact your insurance representative and notify them of the accident.

7.) If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the damage. Most of us have a cell phone that has a built-in camera. We recommend taking as many photos as you can. Both close up and at a distance and from multiple angles. 

8.) We recommend not driving the vehicle. The kinetic transfer of energy from the initial strike can cause unseen damage, and it may not be safe to operate the car. In fact, driving the vehicle could cause additional damage that may be disputed by the insurance company.

9.) Call Autotexs Collision and Auto Repair. We can send a vehicle recovery specialist that can help safely tow your vehicle to our location. We can then provide a detailed computerized estimate and work directly with your insurance company to bring your car back to its pre-accident condition.