{"id":13122,"date":"2026-01-06T05:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T05:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youset.ca\/?p=13122"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:15:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:15:19","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-hit-a-deer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youset.ca\/en\/blog\/what-to-do-if-you-hit-a-deer\/","title":{"rendered":"My Car Was Hit By a Deer. What Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Collisions with wildlife happen <\/span>more often than you might think<\/span><\/a>, especially with deer. They can be unpredictable and are often hard to spot until it\u2019s too late. In fact, most car accidents involving deer occur at night, when visibility is low, and deer are more active.\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should you do if your car is hit by a deer? Here’s what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Key takeaways<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If your car is hit by a deer, follow these steps:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Pull over and turn on your hazard lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Check for injuries<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Do not approach the deer<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Call emergency services (if necessary)<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Assess the situation<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Call for roadside assistance (if necessary)<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Document the damage and scene<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Contact your car insurance provider<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Decide whether to file an insurance claim<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Schedule repairs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Step 1: Pull over and turn on your hazard lights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first thing to do is move your car (and yourself) out of harm\u2019s way. If your vehicle is driveable, carefully pull over to the side of the road or onto the shoulder. Turn on your hazard lights. This alerts other drivers that something has happened and helps reduce the risk of another collision, especially if it\u2019s dark. <\/span>\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2: Check for injuries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first person you should call after getting into a collision with a deer is 911<\/span> if<\/span><\/i> anyone is hurt. So before you do anything else, take a moment to check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. <\/span>\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 3: Do not approach the deer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Deer, like most wildlife, are unpredictable, especially when they\u2019re injured, startled, or scared. Even if the deer looks still, it could move suddenly, so keep a safe distance. Either stay in your car or on the shoulder of the road and wait for authorities to handle the animal properly. <\/span>\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 4: Call emergency services (if necessary)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Depending on the severity of the accident, you may need to call emergency services. If you, your passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians are injured, calling 911 is your first priority.\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You should also call 911 if your vehicle is stuck in a dangerous position on the road or if the deer poses a risk to other drivers. For example, if it\u2019s blocking or stumbling into oncoming traffic, you need to call 911 immediately to prevent further accidents.<\/span> If none of these apply, move on to the next step.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 5: Assess the damage and report the collision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once you know everyone is safe, it\u2019s time to evaluate the damage. As long as it\u2019s safe to do so, check the damage to your vehicle and whether it\u2019s still drivable. If the damage appears to be mainly cosmetic, the car is still safely drivable, and the deer ran off, you can likely proceed to Step 7.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the damage from the deer hitting your car appears to exceed $2,000 and\/or if the deer is over a certain size, some provinces and municipalities require you to report the collision to police. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To do so, you likely do not need to call 911, as that is for emergencies involving injuries or immediate danger. Instead, look up the local police department\u2019s non-emergency phone line or go to the nearest collision reporting centre.<\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 6: Call for roadside assistance (if necessary)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If your car is too damaged or unsafe to drive, don\u2019t risk it. Trying to drive your car if it\u2019s too badly damaged can make things worse, both for your safety and your insurance claim.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you have roadside assistance through your insurance provider or a roadside program, call their dedicated number. If you don\u2019t, contact a local tow truck company. Either way, they\u2019ll tow your vehicle to a safe location or directly to a repair shop.<\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 7: Document the damage and scene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Before you leave the scene (and so long as it\u2019s safe to do so), take the time to document what happened. Take photos and videos of:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n