Between dusk commutes on County Line Road and early-morning runs down Street Road, deer are on the move across Bucks County. If a deer darts out and your day takes a hard left, here’s the simple, local guide by Tri County Collision Center to help keep you safe, protect your claim, and get your vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
Safety first (right now)
- Stop, breathe, and check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if a vehicle isn’t safely drivable. Move to a safe shoulder if you can, switch on hazards, and stay inside the vehicle until help arrives.
- Do not approach the deer. Injured wildlife can behave unpredictably.
- Make the scene visible. Hazards on, and if you must exit, stay well off the roadway.
Photos & the police report (what to document)
- Take wide shots and close-ups of vehicle damage, roadway, skid marks, and the deer (if visible). This helps the appraiser later.
- When to call police: If there’s injury, death, or your vehicle needs a tow (can’t be safely driven), Pennsylvania law requires immediate notice to police. If police don’t respond, a written report is required within five days.
- If the car is drivable and no one’s hurt, you can still request a report for documentation, it often speeds up the claim.
Why deer hits are a comprehensive claim (not collision)
Damage from striking an animal is generally paid under the comprehensive portion of your policy (sometimes called “other-than-collision”). If you swerve to avoid a deer and hit a guardrail or another car, that’s usually collision.
Pennsylvania sees thousands of deer-related crashes each year, with risk peaking around fall rut and the evening hours.
Rate-impact myths (the PA reality)
Worried a comprehensive deer claim will automatically spike your premium? Pennsylvania law prohibits raising your rate solely because you filed a claim unless you were at fault. Deer strikes are typically not “at-fault” events. (Your insurer still applies its filed rating plan, things like prior losses or territory can matter, but a lone, not-at-fault comprehensive claim isn’t supposed to trigger a surcharge by itself.)
Drive or tow? A quick, practical checklist
Err on the side of a tow if any of the following are true:
- Headlights/taillights out or windshield damage that obstructs view.
- Fluids leaking, overheating, tire or wheel pushed back, or the vehicle pulls hard to one side.
- Airbag deployed or hood won’t latch.
- You can’t safely get off the travel lane. Call 911; police can help arrange towing and keep the scene safe.
If your windshield is cracked or your camera/radar sits behind the glass or front bumper, you may need calibration after glass replacement or front-end repair. We’ll guide you through that so safety systems work as designed.
How Tri County handles deer-season repairs
- Fast intake & documentation. We photograph damage, verify what’s cosmetic vs. structural, and submit supplements if hidden damage appears after teardown.
- OEM-procedure repairs. Our ASE/I-CAR® Gold technicians follow manufacturer guidelines, from structural checks to refinishing and any required ADAS calibrations.
- We work with your insurer, while you keep the choice of shop. Pennsylvania gives you the right to choose who fixes your car; we handle the back-and-forth so you don’t have to.
FAQs
Is hitting a deer covered by my insurance?
Yes, if you carry comprehensive coverage. Striking an animal is a comprehensive claim; swerving and hitting an object is collision.
Will my rates go up if I file a deer claim?
Pennsylvania law says insurers may not increase your premium solely because you made a claim, unless you were at fault. Deer strikes are typically not at-fault. Your insurer’s overall rating plan still applies, but a single comprehensive deer claim isn’t automatically surchargeable by itself.
Do I need a police report?
Call police if anyone is hurt or the vehicle needs a tow; those are “reportable” situations in PA. If police don’t respond, you must submit a written report within five days. Even for minor, drivable incidents, a report can help your claim.
Can I drive home after I hit a deer?
Only if it’s truly safe: clear windshield, working lights, no fluid leaks or pull, hood latches securely, and no airbag deployment. When in doubt, tow then let us assess, it’s crucial to address any damage promptly. Contact us today and let our family at Tri County Collision Center take a look. We’ll give you an honest assessment and help you understand your options.
