Pennsylvanians Have 1-In-57 Chance Of Striking A Deer: State Farm

PENNSYLVANIA — Autumn brings not only a beautifully changing landscape to the highways and byways of Pennsylvania, it also brings out the deer. And the mix of cars and deer on the road can not only be costly, it can be deadly.

From mid-October through mid-December, mating season drives thousands of deer into new territory and often onto the roads. The season also marks the peak time for deer-vehicle collisions, with costs reaching as high as $1 billion a year in damages nationwide.

According to an annual analysis released by State Farm, Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in the number of insurance claims filed involving deer-auto collisions.

Across the nation Pennsylvania had the most auto animal collision claims, with an estimated total industry animal collisions count of 156,176 claims, according to State Farm. The analysis also shows that one out of 57 licensed drivers in the Keystone State will hit an animal while being behind the wheel with deer being the most commonly struck followed by "unidentified animals" and rodents.

Between July 2021 and June 2022 an estimated 1.9 million of these types of collisions happened across U.S. roads (5.5 percent less than in the previous 12 months), according to the State Farm analysis.

While Pennsylvania leads the nation in claims, the state where drivers have the highest likelihood of hitting an animal is West Virginia, with a probability of 1 in 35. There, the animals most likely to be hit by drivers are deer (by far), followed by "unidentified animals," and by dogs.

Many times animal collisions end up in road kills, and often in injuries or even deaths of drivers and passengers. From a material perspective, the damage to the vehicles can vary wildly, from a scratch or a bump to a car being completely totaled, depending on factors such as the speed at which one is driving or the size of the animal being hit.

The range of animals involved in auto crashes is extremely diverse. Although there are differences among states, nationwide, the top 5 animals most commonly hit by motorists on U.S. roads were: 1. Deer (industry estimated 1.3 million), 2. Unidentified animals (236,000), 3. Rodents (102,000), 4. Dog (60k) and 5. Raccoon (56k).

Under Pennsylvania law, a crash involving a deer or other wildlife is considered a not-at-fault accident, and insurers cannot add a surcharge to your premium for a deer-related crash. However, this exclusion does not apply if the car does not come in contact with the deer.

Vehicle damage from deer-related crashes is handled under a driver's comprehensive coverage.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, dawn and dusk are peak times for deer activity. In addition, November is when drivers are most likely to have a deer-related crash, according to insurance industry reports. October and December are the second and third most likely months for

animal-related crashes.

Drivers should be aware of the following tips from the American Automobile Association (AAA) to help prevent a crash or to reduce the damage from a collision:

• Pay attention to road signs while driving. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.
• Drivers should continuously scan the road in front of the vehicle looking for signs of animals and movement. Many crashes are caused by a driver striking an animal; however, sometimes the animal may run into the vehicle.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Generally, the light reflecting off their eyes will reveal their location.
• Slow down and watch for other deer to appear. Deer rarely travel alone; if one is seen, there are likely more.
• Resist the urge to swerve: Instead, stay in the lane with both hands firmly on the wheel. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don't know which way to run. It can also put the vehicle in the path of oncoming vehicles or cause a driver to crash into something else.
• If the crash is imminent, drivers should remove their foot from the brake. During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood towards the windshield. Letting off the brake can protect drivers from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.
• Always wear a seat belt. The chances of being injured when hitting an animal are much higher if the driver is not wearing a seatbelt.

The fall is breeding season for deer, and they may be less aware of their surroundings. It's important to remember to stay alert, buckle up, and try not to swerve. If an animal collision is inevitable, stay on the road.

"Driving the posted speed limit, eliminating distractions in the vehicle, and choosing to never drive impaired are choices that can save a life during the peak months of the deer mating season," said State Police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick. "If you hit a deer, pull over to a safe area and assess the situation to figure out what to do next. If there are any injuries requiring medical attention, your vehicle needs towed, or the roadway is blocked, contact 911 immediately."

In Pennsylvania, two types of crashes must be reported to police: crashes that result in a vehicle
being damaged to the point it cannot be driven from the scene and collisions that result in injury or death. Minor collisions or fender benders that do not result in injury may be reported to police, but it is not legally required.

Drivers involved in any crash with another vehicle are required to exchange license and insurance
information with involved parties and render aid when necessary.

To report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads, call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD. Consumers with questions about auto insurance may contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau by calling 1-877-881-6388 or visit www.insurance.pa.gov.