Deer collisions

Deer collisions present a greater risk than other roadkill incidents because of their large size.

• More than 42,000 deer are killed or injured in collisions on the roads every year.
• More than 400 car occupants are injured in accidents with deer.

Here’s what to do if you hit a deer while on the road.

What should I do if I hit a deer

It’s important to handle the situation appropriately to make sure you, your passengers, and other road users stay safe.

1. Stop safely: Pull over to a safe location if possible. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
2. Stay calm and assess the situation: Don’t approach or touch the deer – it could be injured and may react unpredictably.
3. Check to see if anyone’s hurt: Deer are large animals, and hitting one can have a big impact. If you or any passengers are injured, seek medical attention immediately – call an ambulance if necessary.
4. Report the accident to the police: They’ll contact someone who can help the injured deer.
5. Document the scene: If its safe to do so, take photos of the scene, including the damage to your vehicle and the location. This could be useful for any insurance claims.
6. Get help for the deer: If the deer is alive but injured, contact the following emergency lines:
   RSPCA (England and Wales): 0300 1234 999
   SSPCA (Scotland): 03000 999 999
   USPCA (Northern Ireland): 028 3025 1000
   They can provide advice or send someone to help the animal.
7. Check your vehicle: Before continuing your journey, check if your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for any significant damage, especially to the lights, tyres, and engine.
8. Contact your insurance company: You should get in touch with your insurance provider to let them know about the accident as soon as possible. Even if the damage to your vehicle seems minor, it’s important to notify them:
   Policy requirements: Many insurance policies require you to report any accident or incident, regardless of whether you intend to make a claim. Failing to report the incident could potentially affect your cover.
   Claims process: If you decide to make a claim for the damage, your insurer will need to be informed as soon as possible to start the claims process.
   Future issues: Sometimes damage that appears minor can lead to more serious issues later. Reporting the incident ensures there’s a record of what happened, which can be helpful if additional problems arise.

Do I need to report a collision?

You're not legally required to report hitting a deer to the police, but it’s important to contact officials to keep yourself and other road users safe.

• Police: If the deer is blocking the road or poses a danger to other traffic, call the police (non-emergency number 101) to report the incident. They’ll contact specialists to move the deer out of the way of traffic.
• Local authorities: Some local councils also have teams that handle incidents involving wildlife.

There are also a number of studies aimed at getting as full a picture as possible of the extent of minor and major traffic accidents involving deer.

If you have information on a deer road casualty or deer-related traffic collision, you can report it on their websites:

Deer Aware
The Deer initiative 

Will my insurance cover hitting a deer?

Whether your insurance will cover hitting a deer depends on the type of car insurance policy you have:

• Comprehensive insurance: This type of policy typically covers damage to your vehicle from accidents involving animals, including deer. You’d need to check the specific terms and conditions of your policy to confirm this cover.
• Third Party, Fire, and Theft insurance: This type of policy doesn’t usually cover damage to your vehicle from hitting a deer or other animals.
• Third Party Only insurance: This is the minimum level of cover required by law in the UK and typically doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle, including incidents involving animals.

If you have comprehensive insurance, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident and start the claims process. Be prepared to provide details about the incident and any evidence such as photos of the damage.

How can I avoid deer collisions?

It’s impossible to predict if and when you’ll come across a deer while on the road, but it’s worth knowing how and when it’s most likely to happen.

If you understand a little about deer, you may be able to change your driving to avoid them.

1. Be extra vigilant where you see 'deer' or 'wild animal' road signs.
2. A deer can appear almost instantly – nature makes them hard to see, and they don't follow the green cross code.
3. If you see one deer cross the road, there are likely to be more following – so be prepared to slow down or stop.
4. Use your high-beam headlights (without dazzling other drivers) when it's dark, but dip them if you see a deer, otherwise it may freeze in your path.
5. Don’t over-react or swerve excessively. It's safer to continue on your normal track rather than swerving or braking hard to try to avoid a deer.
6. Bear in mind that if you do swerve and miss a deer (or any other animal), but hit something else, it will be very hard to prove that the deer ever existed.

When are deer collisions most likely?

Twice a year, in May to June and October to November, there’s an increased chance of deer running into the road:

• October to November is the rutting season when deer have only one thing on their minds
• May to June is the time of year when young deer move away from breeding areas.

The worst times of day are around sunrise, and from sunset to midnight.