That’s not just a purely hypothetical topic. Deer-vehicle collisions in the Peach State are more common than you might imagine. That’s why it’s important to review your auto insurance policy and make sure it covers you for such a calamity.
So, what should you do if you hit a deer in Georgia?
First, get a fuller understanding of how likely it might be that your car will get hit by a deer and what to do if it happens.
Navigating Deer Encounters on Georgia Roads
Georgia is a rural state.
It’s a metropolitan state.
It’s a wilderness state.
It’s a tourist state.
In truth, it’s all of the above. That’s the problem.
Understanding Georgia’s Wildlife and Traffic Patterns
The state includes Atlanta, one of the largest cities in America, and the Chattahoochee National Forest. You’ve got Lookout Mountain and Stone Mountain Park, the Georgia Aquarium and the Masters Tournament, Savannah and Atlantic Ocean white-sand beaches.
The point is, you’ve got traffic-congested roads alongside countless acres of prime deer breeding grounds.
Traffic. And abundant wildlife populations. And disappearing woods due to development, driving the animals into cities and along busy streets and highways. They’re unpredictable and can run right into traffic when panicked – or even when just crossing the street.
The Risks of Deer-Related Auto Accidents
Sounds like trouble. And it is. So, it might not be surprising that there are up to 50,000 deer-vehicle collisions every year in the Peach State.
It’s not like hitting a squirrel. An adult male deer can weigh 200 pounds or more. The female of the species isn’t much lighter. At the very least, the impact will do significant damage to your vehicle. Furthermore, such collisions result in as many as 59,000 injuries around the country every year and hundreds of deaths.
Then consider the fact that your disabled vehicle might be in traffic, and you and your passengers could be at further risk by getting out of your car.
In other words, it’s worth knowing how to avoid the risk and what to do if you hit a deer in Georgia.
First, Try to Avoid the Threat
Take the warning signs seriously. If you see a road sign alerting drivers of the presence of deer populations, slow down and keep an eye out for possible activity along the sides of the road.
Another sure hint of trouble is the frequent sight of deer carcasses along the shoulder of the road you’re on. It means such collisions are hardly a rarity.
And, of course, always wear your seatbelts whenever you get in the car. The unexpected — including wildlife collisions — can happen in an instant with little or no warning.
Immediate Actions Post-Collision
Even when taking all precautions, these accidents can happen. Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer if you’re on a traffic-congested road or a location where there might be bicyclists or foot traffic.
If it does happen, you can call your friend and say, “I hit a deer. What do I do now?” Or you can keep your composure and get your car out of traffic if it still runs. If you have passengers, make sure that they’re not injured. Get everyone out of the vehicle if it’s safe to do so. When everyone is safe, pick up your phone and start making calls.
Legal Responsibilities After Striking a Deer
Call 911 or the local police. It’s illegal to not place such a call in this state if the dead or injured deer is in the street or roadway and a risk to other drivers.
A call to local authorities has another benefit. If you are able to file a police report, your insurance claim can go more efficiently. (But a police report isn’t mandatory for claims filing, so don’t be concerned if the authorities don’t show up.)
The police don’t need to be informed if the deer runs off or dies out of the way of traffic.
You’ll also want to take photos or video of the damage to your vehicle and the injured or deceased deer, if possible. Photo documentation of injuries to yourself or others is also valuable for claims. But be careful – if the deer is only injured and still mobile, they may attack.
Then, you’ll place a call to your insurance company.
Car Insurance Fundamentals for Deer Accidents
Are you covered? That’s likely the first question you’ll ask yourself once things have cooled down a little. The answer to that question depends on your policy.
You’re not covered if you only carry liability, which is the minimum level of legal coverage in most states. Liability only covers injuries or damage to others if the car accident fault is determined to be yours. It won’t cover your own vehicle or injuries.
If, however, you carry a full coverage plan, you can most likely file a claim.
Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage Dilemma
Most full coverage auto insurance plans include both comprehensive and collision benefits. Collision benefits cover most traditional traffic accidents involving other cars.
Comprehensive car insurance, on the other hand, covers the various ways your vehicle might be damaged when you’re not even behind the wheel. This can include theft or vandalism, weather damage, fire, and other mishaps. But comprehensive also covers on-the-road collisions with wildlife, such as deer.
Hence, the dilemma. Sometimes, drivers who want to save a little money might purchase collision coverage and skip comprehensive. The thinking here is that their vehicle is much more likely to sustain damage while it’s actually on the road than when it’s safely tucked away in their garage.
And that might be the case — most of the time. Just remember that unexpected damage can occur in a number of ways. And one of those ways — hitting wildlife while on the road — is only covered by your comprehensive benefits. So don’t skimp on comprehensive.
Does Hitting a Deer Affect Your Insurance Premiums?
If you’ve filed claims for other fairly recent deer-car collisions or you’ve had other at-fault accidents within the last few years, it could affect your rates. But probably not if this is an isolated incident and you have an otherwise good or excellent driving record and claims history.