What to Do if You Hit a Deer With Your Car in Michigan

People hit deer year-round in Michigan but the majority of accidents happen in the spring and fall.

While it may not be 100% unavoidable in every case, there are certainly steps that drivers can take to reduce the risk.

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According to Michigan.gov, each year, there are nearly 50,000 reported vehicle-deer crashes in Michigan. About 80 percent of these crashes occur between dusk and dawn on two-lane roads.

What to Do if a Deer Runs Out in Front of Your Vehicle

The one thing you don't want to do is swerve. Unfortunately, it's a normal human response. Most serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid deer. They will more than likely hit another vehicle or a fixed object causing their vehicle to roll over.

If you don't have time to hit the brakes, the best thing to do is simply stay in your lane and just blast into the deer. It sounds awful but it's the safest thing to do.

What to Do After You Hit a Deer?

The first thing you should do is call the police to report the accident. You're not legally required to but it will make things a lot easier when filing an insurance claim.

The second thing you should do is call your insurance company. Don't procrastinate, make that call right away.

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer in Michigan

Honestly, there's not much you can do to avoid hitting a deer. The best thing you can do is simply pay attention to your surroundings. Watch your speed and keep an eye out along the side of the road when driving. At night, you can sometimes see their reflective beady little eyes which indicates they could jump out at any given moment.

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There are deer everywhere in my neighborhood and nearly every day I hit one. That's not an exaggeration, I have to be extremely cautious when driving. Last week I had my closest call when a deer ran out in front of me and I had to slam on my brakes. I swear that deer's tail brushed along the front of my truck. I got really lucky that day.