Firsthand Account of Deer Accident, 911 Calls, & Car Insurance Effect After the Hit

Deer-related car crashes account for more than 150 deaths and $1.1 billion in property damages each year. Drivers in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio bear the brunt of the cost, both human and financial. Just two days after writing the article entitled "What to do After an Accident" for carinsurancerates.com, I was involved in a minor collision with a deer myself. Here is my firsthand account of the crash and the insurance process that followed.

With Deer, There is Often Little (or Nothing) You Can Do

I was driving on a main highway late at night. Luckily, there were no other cars on the road. I was observing the speed limit, or perhaps driving a little under, since it was extremely foggy that night. From the corner of my eye I saw a large male deer running across the road. There was nothing I could do to avoid him as he ran directly at the side of my SUV. I braced for the impact, and I was actually shocked by how little force with which the deer hit. Previously, I have written about my experience in a 25 mph crash with another motorist, and this was far less jarring. It was still scary, though, as any auto accidents are, even the most minor among them.

It turns out I did the right thing. Experts say you should not swerve to avoid hitting a deer and you should only brake to the extent that you can remain in control of your vehicle. I pulled over after experiencing the deer hit and surveyed the damage - it was mild, except my driver side mirror, which was obliterated. I then immediately found my cell phone.

Should You Call the Police in a Minor, One-Car Accident?

I informed my passenger that I was going to call 911 to report the accident. He acted as if this were a strange thing to do and told me that it wasn't necessary. Many people believe this, but they are wrong. You should always call the police when you've been in an accident unless it meets all of the following criteria: 1) No one is hurt (check); 2) There is no property damage to anyone else's property (check); 3) You do not plan on filing an insurance claim  (no check).

I was a little nervous about calling 911 since this wasn't exactly an emergency, but the 911 operator reassured me that I did the right thing and said that an officer would meet me at the scene as soon as possible. I should also note that I was more than 100 miles away from home, and my cell phone automatically patched me to the local 911.

After 911, Immediately Call Your Insurance Company

I found my car insurance comparison shopping through carinsurancerates.com, and this was the first time I had to use it. I was glad to find out that not only are my car insurance rates lower, thanks to my diligent comparison shopping, but the operator was also extremely conscientious. After taking down my basic information, she told me that a local representative would give me a call the next morning, and she did. I had a $1,000 OTC (other-than-collision or comprehensive, which covers deer accidents) deductible and I was worried that my damages might not exceed $1,000, but my insurance agent let me know that her company does not count deer accidents against its clients. She then told me where to take my car for repairs, and the repair shop even gave me a loaner. I could not have been more satisfied!

Most of all, I was glad that I had done my car insurance homework. I knew that I had OTC/comprehensive coverage and that this is what covered deer accidents, so I was more confident when I called my insurer. I knew my coverages and my deductibles, and I knew what to do in the case of an accident - all thanks to carinsurancerates.com.