What to Do If You Hit a Deer: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Short answer: if you can't avoid a deer, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Don't swerve. Once you've hit one, turn on your hazards, pull onto the shoulder if the car will move, stay away from the animal, and call the police. Then photograph the scene, check the car carefully before you drive it, and call your insurer.

The timing matters because this is the worst stretch of the year for it. In its September 2026 analysis, State Farm ranks November, October and December (in that order) as the months US drivers are most likely to hit a large animal. It estimates more than 1.6 million animal-collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, which puts the average driver's odds at 1 in 145. Deer top its list. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, pushing more evening commutes into the dark right at the peak.

Why swerving is the bigger risk

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety counts at least 353,800 police-reported animal-related crashes, 49,725 injuries, and 277 deaths each year in the US. Most crashes that kill a vehicle occupant involve something worse than the animal itself: hitting a tree, colliding with another vehicle, or rolling over. AAA's researchers say sudden evasive moves may often be riskier than hitting the animal, though that may not hold for moose, elk, or bison.

If a crash is unavoidable, the Michigan State Police say:

• Don't swerve.
• Brake firmly and try to stay in your lane.
• Keep both hands on the wheel and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

What to do if you hit a deer: step by step

1. Get the car out of traffic

Turn on your hazard flashers, stay buckled, and pull onto the shoulder if you can. Michigan State Police advise that if the vehicle can't move and is still in a traffic lane, you should get out carefully and stand beside the road, away from oncoming traffic.

2. Mark the scene

Most animal-related crashes happen on rural roads, often in darkness, on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or higher, according to the AAA Foundation. Fast traffic needs warning well before it reaches you. Hazards help, but they're bumper-height and useless if the electrical system took the hit.

The POD X LED Road Flares ($9.99 each, in stock) are built for this. Carry three: one flare 10 feet behind the vehicle, one at 100 feet, and one at 200 feet, on the traffic side. Each has rotating, blinking, steady, and SOS modes and a magnetic base, and runs on three AAA batteries. Only place flares if you can walk the shoulder safely. If traffic is too close, stay off the road and let the police set up the scene. For more, see LED road flares vs traditional flares.

3. Stay away from the deer

The Indiana DNR warns that wounded deer are unpredictable and can be dangerous. Deer can survive a direct hit and may look dead when they're not. Don't drag it, check on it, or load it up.

4. Call the police

Report the crash. Michigan State Police say to be ready to give:

• Your location
• Whether anyone is hurt
• Whether other vehicles were involved
• Whether the deer is alive or dead, and whether it's blocking the road

You may need the police report number to start an insurance claim.

5. Document everything

Once help arrives and it's safe, take photos of the damage, the scene, and any injuries. At night, a hands-free light helps. The POD X Bat Beam XTREME Rechargeable LED Headlamp ($45.99, in stock) uses a CREE XM-L T6 LED with high, low, and strobe modes and a tilt head, so your hands stay free. If you need area light around the front end, the Port-A-Bull Tripod Flashlight ($61, in stock) unfolds into a freestanding work light that sits on a fender or the ground.

6. Don't assume the car is safe to drive

Michigan State Police say to look for damage and be ready to call a tow. Check:

• Lights: headlights and turn signals working and pointed where they should be
• Leaks: coolant, oil, or other fluid under the front end
• Hood: closes and latches properly
• Tires and wheels: no cuts and no rubbing on bent body panels
• Warning lights: anything new on the dash

Broken plastic and bent sheet metal can be sharp. A pair of POD X ProTech Work Gloves ($9.89, in stock in S to XL) resists cuts and punctures.

If the car won't restart: a hard hit can knock a battery terminal loose or leave lights running while you wait. If the battery is the only problem and there's no leaking fluid, smoke, or obvious electrical damage, a jump starter can save you a tow. The POD X XTREME 1000A Jump Starter ($129.99, in stock) jump-starts 12V vehicles without a second vehicle. It delivers 20+ jumps per charge, has Intelli-Jump smart clamps that guard against sparks, reverse polarity, and short circuits, plus USB-A and USB-C outputs for a dying phone and an LED light with strobe and SOS. If you see a coolant leak, smoke, or damage around the battery or wiring, don't jump it. Call the tow.

7. Call your insurer

State Farm notes that deer and other animal damage may be covered under comprehensive coverage. Check your policy. Have your police report number and photos ready.

How to avoid hitting a deer

No habit guarantees anything, but State Farm, Michigan State Police, and Indiana DNR agree on these:

• Watch from dusk to dawn, especially near woods, field edges, and water.
• Use high beams when there's no oncoming traffic, and look for eyes reflecting along the shoulder.
• If you see one deer, slow down for more. They often travel in single file.
• Don't drive around a deer standing in the road. Slow down, and use your horn to scare it off.
• Skip deer whistles. State Farm says no scientific evidence shows that car-mounted whistles work, and Indiana DNR calls whistles, fences, and reflectors ineffective at keeping deer away.
• Wear your seat belt and drive at a safe speed. The AAA Foundation says safe speeds give you more time to spot an animal and react. The AAA Foundation also highlights how vulnerable motorcyclists are to serious injury in animal crashes.

A roadside kit for deer season

• LED road flares for the 10, 100, and 200 foot marks, plus spare AAA batteries
• A headlamp or work light, charged
• Work gloves for sharp, broken parts
• A charged jump starter or power bank for the phone
• Your insurance card and roadside assistance number written down, not just in your phone

For the full list, see our emergency car kit checklist and what to do if your car breaks down at night.

Warranty: according to the POD X FAQ, every POD X product carries a 3-year warranty with free registration. To make a claim, email Orders@thepodx.com with your order number and a description of the problem.

Frequently asked questions

Should I swerve to avoid a deer?
Usually not. Michigan State Police and Indiana DNR both say to brake firmly and stay in your lane. The AAA Foundation found that most fatal animal-related crashes involve hitting a tree or another vehicle, or rolling over, not the animal itself.

What month do the most deer collisions happen?
November, then October and December, according to State Farm's 2026 analysis. The AAA Foundation also found animal-related crashes peak in November.

Statistics are current as of October 2026 and come from State Farm, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Michigan State Police, and Indiana DNR. Product prices and stock status were checked on thepodx.com on November 1, 2026.