At Andy Mohr Collision Center, we’ve worked on all kinds of collision damages. A more common type here in the Plainfield, Indianapolis, Fishers, and Bloomington areas is damage from hitting a deer.
Hitting a deer isn’t like hitting another vehicle. Afterwards, you’ll have different factors to take into consideration and different calls to make. Fortunately, this handy article walks you through them all for when you’ve been in this kind of auto collision.
Move Your Vehicle
The very first thing you’ll want to do after a deer hits your car is to move the vehicle off the road. More than likely, this collision has occurred sometime at night, and it may be especially difficult for another vehicle to spot you. Put on your hazard lights or ignite a flare.
Those concerned with the injuries to the deer may want to go over to check on the animal, especially if it’s still in the middle of the road. However, it’s best to keep a wide berth. Wounded and frightened animals are more likely to attack, causing further injury.
If I Hit A Deer, Do I Need A Police Report?
The first call you need to make is to the local police. If there was a personal injury or property damage, you’ll need to fill out an official report with them. They should also be alerted if the deer is blocking the road.
If the deer is still alive, you should also get in touch with the nearest wildlife rescue. They can retrieve the deer in a safe manner, and, hopefully, nurse it back to health.
Document the Collision
After making some calls, you should begin the work of documenting the incident, which means taking photographs of everything—and not just the damage to your vehicle, but also the deer itself, road conditions, etc. You should also photograph any injuries you or your passengers sustained during the crash.
Related Post:What Types of Photos Should I Take After An Accident?
File Your Claim
With a police report and personal documentation, you’re all ready to contact your car insurance provider to file a claim.
Give them as many details as possible. In the next few days, they’ll have an adjuster out to examine your car and estimate the damages.
Contact Your Nearest Collision Center
After the insurance claim is filed, you can begin finding a reliable collision center to fix your car. Be sure to find a reputable body shop with the right tools, parts, and diagnostic technologies to get your car back in shape as soon as possible. You won’t want to be out of commission for long!
Don’t Let Your Car Sit for Long…
Remember, deer are most active during dawn and dusk hours, and especially during the months of October through December. Attempting to swerve out of the way of a deer can only frighten them further, causing more damage than originally intended. It’s better just to hit the brakes and slow down to mitigate damage.
When all is said and done, though, hitting a deer with your car is sometimes unavoidable. When it happens here in Plainfield, Indianapolis, Fishers, or Bloomington, Andy Mohr Collision Center is nearby to make repairs. Contact our team today to schedule a service appointment!
