{"id":4980,"date":"2024-09-16T15:10:11","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T22:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=4980"},"modified":"2024-09-16T15:10:15","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T22:10:15","slug":"what-to-do-when-you-hit-a-deer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-accidents\/what-to-do-when-you-hit-a-deer\/","title":{"rendered":"Oh Deer! What To Do When You Hit a Deer (or a Deer Hits You) While Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Picture this: you\u2019re enjoying a relaxing drive, jamming out to your favorite playlist, and imagining yourself as the star of a music video. Suddenly, BAM! Bambi decides to join your road trip uninvited. Now what? Hopefully, you have auto insurance<\/a>. Let\u2019s dive into the wild world of deer collisions and what to do when you hit a deer \u2014 or when a deer hits you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Why Deer Accidents Occur<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start by addressing the age-old question: Why do these animals insist on playing chicken with cars? Do they think they\u2019re part of some extreme sports league? The short answer is deer and automobile accidents happen because roads go through deer habitat.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Washington State Department of Transportation, in a report about reducing the risk of wildlife collisions<\/a>, estimates there are 1,500 wildlife collisions reported each year. And that count only includes collisions that cause significant damage, so it\u2019s likely the actual number of wildlife accidents is significantly higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife accidents tend to happen in rural areas or near forests, especially during their morning coffee break or late-night snack run. During mating season, they get extra frisky, so be on the lookout for amorous furry friends on the move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessing the Risks and Consequences<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hitting a deer can lead to serious car damage. We\u2019re talking about more than just a dent or two \u2014 imagine an animal-shaped hood ornament. And don\u2019t forget the potential injuries to you and your passengers. It\u2019s no small matter, which is why knowing the right steps to take can save you a lot of headaches (and wallet aches \u2014 especially higher rates after the accident<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Actions After Hitting a Deer<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself face-to-face (or bumper-to-face) with a critter, stay calm. Easier said than done when a large animal has just tried to audition for your driver\u2019s seat, but take a deep breath and follow these steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring Safety: Move to a Safe Location<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your number one priority is safety \u2014 that is, after you get over the initial shock of realizing, \u201cI\u2019ve hit a deer with my car!\u201d pull over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and make sure you and your passengers are alright.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking for Injuries Among Passengers<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After you\u2019ve parked, check on everyone inside your car. If anyone needs medical attention, call emergency services pronto. Deer may look cute, but they pack a punch that could rival a heavyweight champ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check on Bambi (From a Safe Distance)<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeling brave enough to check on the deer? Do so from a distance. A wounded deer is more unpredictable than your cat after a bath. You don\u2019t want to end up on the evening news because you tried to hug it out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Couple<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dealing With the Aftermath of a Deer Collision<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If Washington wildlife hits your car this fall,<\/a> or it has been a bit too eager to cross the highway in front of you, here\u2019s what you should do next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contacting the Authorities: When and How<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve ensured everyone\u2019s safe, it\u2019s time to call in the cavalry. Reporting the incident is crucial, especially if your car resembles a modern art sculpture or the four-legged friend is causing a traffic jam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Documentation<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take pictures of the scene, your car, and any damage. Think of it as your chance to show off your photography skills \u2014 just don\u2019t expect a Pulitzer. These photos will help when filing your claim. Vern Fonk has a handy accident checklist<\/a> to make sure you don\u2019t forget anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance Implications of Hitting a Deer<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to insurance, hitting a deer can make an impact (pun intended). Here\u2019s what you should do next on this side of the equation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filing a Claim: Steps and Necessary Information<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After you\u2019ve documented the scene, call your insurer. Be ready to provide all the details of your encounter with nature. They\u2019ll guide you through the claims process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also have documentation on everything that\u2019s happened, including any police reports, photos of the accident, and anything else that can help your claims adjuster better understand the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worried about your premiums? Check out how accidents affect car insurance<\/a>. The good news is that accidents involving animals generally won\u2019t increase your premiums because you won\u2019t be considered to be at fault for the collision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Sure You\u2019re Insured Before You Encounter a Deer<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a deer collision can be a real \u201cdoe-see doe,\u201d following these steps will help you navigate the chaos with humor and grace. Take special care on the roads during mating season (November and December) and when you\u2019re driving in rural or forested areas.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to make sure you\u2019re covered for unexpected wildlife encounters? Check out Vern Fonk for the best coverage options. Comprehensive coverage is the one you need to help pay for collisions with wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get started today with an online quote<\/a>, give us a call at (800) 455-8276<\/a>, or visit your local Vern Fonk office<\/a> and speak with us in person! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQ: Navigating Deer Collisions<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is It Illegal to Leave the Scene After Hitting a Deer?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It depends on the extent of the damage. State law in Washington requires drivers to report any accident that involves more than $1,000 in damage or a personal injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, if the animal is obstructing the roadway, you should make an effort to get it out of the way so that other drivers do not hit it. It is safest to call the authorities to handle this since they can set up a temporary roadblock to redirect traffic while the animal gets moved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I Try to Move the Deer Out of the Road After a Collision?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leave the heavy lifting to the pros. Moving any animal is risky business and could be more trouble than it\u2019s worth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Recognize Signs of Vehicle Damage That May Not Be Immediately Apparent?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After an accident, treat your car to a check-up. Some damage might be sneakier than a critter trying to cross a highway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Prevent Future Deer Collisions When Driving?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stay alert, use high beams when appropriate, and drive slower in animal-heavy areas. Oh, and maybe a whistle? No one knows if they work, but it can\u2019t hurt!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Picture this: you\u2019re enjoying a relaxing drive, jamming out to your favorite playlist, and imagining yourself as the star of a music video. Suddenly, BAM! Bambi decides to join your road trip uninvited. Now what? Hopefully, you have auto insurance. Let\u2019s dive into the wild world of deer collisions and what to do when you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-accidents","category-car-insurance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4980"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4983,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4980\/revisions\/4983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}