According to the PA Game Commission, over 435,000 deer were killed in Pennsylvania in the 2020-2021 deer hunting season. A lot of people wouldn’t know that, since about 1 in 70 drivers will hit a deer every year. In fact, Pennsylvania has more car accidents caused by deer than any other state.
While hitting a deer can be dangerous, most deer impacts result in property damage, assuming you’re able to brake and slow down before the initial impact. Most accidents resulting in serious or even fatal injuries are the result of a driver swerving to avoid a deer.
Car Accidents Caused by Deer in PA
The leading cause of injuries and deaths from deer-related accidents in Pennsylvania is a driver swerving. When drivers swerve, they can crash into a tree or guardrail or swerve into traffic, causing devastating head-on collisions, injuring both themselves and other drivers.
As a passenger in a swerving car or a motorist in a car that was suddenly hit head-on, you could sustain very serious or catastrophic injuries, including whiplash and bodily injury from airbag deployment. In fact, nearly 200 people die every year from vehicle accidents involving deer in Pennsylvania.
Drivers have a responsibility to use reasonable care when operating their vehicles. There are PA laws for hitting a deer if it turns out the driver was in some way negligent or reckless. Just as drivers should expect children when driving through a school zone, Pennsylvania drivers on rural roads and rural highways should expect deer, especially on roads with deer crossing signs and wildlife crossing areas.
Here are some forms of negligence that often lead to deer-related vehicle accidents:
- Drivers speeding or driving at excessive impact speeds
- Inattentive drivers not slowing down for deer
- Distracted driving
- Not paying attention to roads where deer are expected to be present
Contact an experienced and licensed deer injury lawyer or attorney after being involved in an accident with a deer in Pennsylvania.
How to Avoid Hitting a Deer in PA
You may be wondering what to do to avoid hitting a deer in PA. If you see a deer in the road and it is safe to do so, slow down without swerving.
- If you see one deer cross the road, expect more to be behind it. Deer travel in groups, and during “the rut” (mating season), there are often bucks following a doe around. For deer in Pennsylvania, the rut usually occurs during the first couple of weeks of November, although times vary.
- If a deer is in the road staring at your car, don’t expect it to move. This could literally be a “deer stuck in the headlights”. The deer was just likely walking through darkness with their eyes completely dilated, and now they are blinded by your headlights. It will take some time for their eyes to adjust, and until that happens, they may just stand there, frozen in place.
- Be on high alert on roadways with “Deer Crossing” signs.
- Pay special attention at dusk and dawn. Especially 6-9 PM and in the morning hours. Deer may be out even earlier in more lightly hunted areas.
- October – December is when most deer-related accidents occur.
Injured in a Deer Auto Accident in PA?
If you were injured as a passenger or as the driver of a second vehicle hit by a negligent or uninsured driver who drove into oncoming traffic or crashed into a tree, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation with our proven and compassionate attorneys. We have worked with injured passengers plenty of times and understand that you were likely riding along with a friend. Getting compensated for your injuries does not necessarily have to mean the end of a friendship. Contact our experienced deer injury lawyers near you.
Our attorneys will investigate your case, document the accident scene, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to recover maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We work on a no fee unless you win basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you.
You may be wondering: Should I call the police after a deer hit? How long do I have to file a claim? Will insurance cover my deer accident? What if the other driver has no insurance or is underinsured? Can I sue for deer accident injuries? Our experienced legal team can answer all these questions and more during your free consultation.
Whether your vehicle is a total loss requiring extensive repair or you need help with a diminished value claim, we have the insurance negotiation expertise and accident reconstruction capability to prove negligence and protect your rights. We’ll help you understand fault determination, work with medical providers to treat your injuries, and ensure you receive reimbursement for all costs, including emergency room visits and future medical costs.
It is wise to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer after any serious or severe injury. The advice is free and will likely save you a lot of time and money. Don’t let insurance adjusters minimize your claim payout or use aggressive tactics against you. Our successful track record includes helping clients file insurance claims, navigate the settlement process, and, when necessary, file lawsuits to ensure justice is served.
