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What should I do if I think I'm going to hit a deer?
I live in a rural area, and I'm worried about hitting a deer. I see a lot of them run around at odd hours, and while I'm a good driver, I know how quickly they can dash out. I've seen a lot of different advice, so what's the best thing to do in that situation?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Hitting a deer in a rural area like yours is highly plausible, so it makes sense you’re concerned!
If you think you’re going to hit a deer, remain calm. While you’ll need to react quickly, you also don’t want to make any sudden movements.
Swerving to avoid hitting the deer can not only endanger you but also those around you. If you swerve, you risk running into another vehicle or damaging your car further in an
accident
. In some cases, the deer may also be attempting to avoid you. By swerving, you may end up hitting them.
If you see a deer in the road, try honking to scare them. If they don’t move, don’t accelerate. You’ll want to brake firmly and, if you can, try to remove your foot from the brake right before impact. Doing so may prevent the deer from hitting your windshield.
In the event that you do hit a deer, get your vehicle to safety as soon as possible. Be sure you have your hazards on to alert other vehicles of the situation. You should also call the police to report the accident. At no point should you attempt to move the animal.
If you have
collision insurance
, the damage to your car should be covered. If you want to make sure that you have the best deal on collision coverage, try using Jerry
—we’ll get you multiple customized quotes from different providers so that you can choose the best price for the coverage you need.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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