Even though deer strikes can happen year-round, ‘deer season’ peaks in mid-October through mid-December.
Often, deer strikes lead to confusing questions: “Why would the deer run into my car?” or “Why did it just stand there?”
One defense mechanism for a deer is standing still in an attempt to blend in with its surroundings so you won’t see it. Another is scurrying at the last minute. Each behavior equates to the deer being truly unpredictable when a vehicle is approaching because you never know what is going to happen.
Things to remember:
Timing: Deer are most active from dusk until dawn when
temperatures are cooler and predators are not as active. This also means
they travel when it’s the most difficult for you to see them.
Deer
run in packs: Rarely do they travel alone. If a deer crosses in
front of you, watch out for more nearby.
Stay the course: If
you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. Swerving
could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation
into one that’s much worse. You don’t want to swerve directly into them
if they change their path.
Honk: Some experts recommend that
one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road.
If there is an impact:
Safely pull over: If your vehicle has not been rendered
‘non-drivable’ by the deer, find a safe spot to pull off the road as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine: Inspect the vehicle.
Easily visible damaged items include headlamps, bumpers, hoods, and
fenders. However, under the hood, the radiator may have gotten damaged
and could be leaking fluid. This could potentially cause the vehicle to
overheat and damage the engine.
Stay away: If the deer is
still alive, stay away. It could be confused and injured and it should
not be approached.
Emergency services: Call emergency
services if injuries are involved. Call the local police for property
damage.
GEICO: Contact GEICO as quickly as possible to set
up an inspection for your vehicle.
Additional information about avoiding deer is available on GEICO More. To review your policy and coverage you can call (800) 841-3000, log in at GEICO.com or GEICO mobile 24 hours a day.
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