In Missouri, deer collisions are frequent, with over 3,500 crashes reported annually. When you hit a deer, your comprehensive insurance coverage typically pays for vehicle damage, minus your deductible. If you swerve to avoid a deer and hit another object or vehicle, your collision coverage applies instead.
The payment process becomes more complex when multiple vehicles are involved or when you’re injured in the crash. Your specific insurance coverage, the circumstances of the accident, and Missouri’s comparative fault laws all determine who pays for what damages.
Understanding these factors helps you navigate the claims process and protect your financial interests after a deer-related accident.
How Common Are Deer Collisions in Missouri
Missouri consistently ranks among the top states for deer-related car accidents. The state reports over 3,500 deer crashes annually, with most occurring from October through December when deer are most active.
These collisions peak during dawn and dusk hours when deer move between feeding and bedding areas. The fall rutting season makes deer less cautious and more likely to dart into roadways without warning.
Rural highways pose the highest risk, but deer crashes happen everywhere in Missouri. Even suburban areas near parks or wooded neighborhoods see regular deer activity.
High-risk locations across Missouri include:
- Rural highways: Two-lane roads bordering forests or farmland.
- Wooded corridors: Areas where deer travel between habitats.
- Suburban edges: Neighborhoods backing up to green spaces.
- River valleys: Natural deer migration routes.
Understanding your insurance coverage becomes critical when these accidents are so common throughout the state.
Is Hitting a Deer Covered by Insurance?
Whether your insurance covers deer damage depends entirely on what coverage you carry. Many drivers think “full coverage” protects them, but the details of your specific policy determine who pays.
Comprehensive coverage handles damage from events beyond typical collisions. This includes hitting animals, hail damage, theft, and vandalism. Collision coverage pays when you hit another object, like a tree, guardrail, or another vehicle.
The type of deer accident determines which coverage applies:
| Scenario | Coverage Type | What’s Covered |
| Direct deer impact | Comprehensive | Vehicle damage from hitting the deer |
| Swerve into tree/ditch | Collision | Damage from hitting the object |
| Swerve into another car | Collision + Liability | Your damage plus other party’s costs |
Medical Payments coverage (MedPay) helps pay your and your passengers’ medical bills, regardless of fault. Rental car coverage and towing depend on whether you added these options to your policy.
Your deductible applies before insurance pays anything. You’ll pay this amount out of pocket first, and insurance will cover the remaining repair costs.
Who Pays for Vehicle Damage After a Deer Collision
Who pays for the damage depends on how the deer accident happened. Who pays for what depends on your insurance and the situation.
Your full coverage kicks in when a deer hits you directly. You pay your deductible in full, and your insurance pays for the rest of the repairs. This is true whether you hit the deer or the deer hits you.
Different payment situations come up when you swerve. If you hit a stationary object while swerving to avoid a deer, your collision coverage will cover the damage instead of your comprehensive coverage. You’ll have to pay your collision deductible, which is usually higher than your comprehensive deductible.
When deer are involved in crashes with multiple cars, things can get complicated quickly. If you hit another car while swerving, you may be covered by both collision and liability insurance. Fault determination determines how much each insurance company pays when multiple drivers share fault.
Your insurance company determines whether your vehicle is a “total loss” when repair costs exceed its value. They’ll pay you the actual cash value minus your deductible. Gap coverage helps if you owe more on your loan than the car is worth.
Keep all receipts for towing, storage, and rental cars. Depending on your coverage, these expenses may be reimbursable through your policy.
What if You Swerve to Avoid a Deer
Swerving to avoid a deer may seem natural, but it can create serious legal and financial problems. When your swerve causes a crash with another vehicle, you may become legally responsible for that accident.
Missouri follows pure comparative fault rules. This means your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of blame for the crash. If you’re found 40% at fault, you can only recover 60% of your damages from other parties.
Common swerving scenarios show how fault gets assigned:
- Rear-end after swerving: The driver who hits you from behind typically bears responsibility under Missouri’s rear-end collision liability rules
- Head-on after crossing the centerline: You’d likely face primary fault for the collision
- Multi-car pileup: Fault gets divided among all drivers based on their individual actions, similar to liability in chain-reaction accidents, where each driver’s contribution to the crash is evaluated
Safety experts recommend braking firmly while staying in your lane rather than swerving. Hitting a deer directly often causes less damage and fewer injuries than swerving into trees, ditches, or other vehicles.
The legal consequences of swerving can include traffic citations, increased insurance rates, and personal injury lawsuits from other drivers you hit.
Do You Need to Report a Deer Accident in Missouri
Missouri law requires reporting accidents that cause injury, death, or property damage over $500. While minor deer strikes might not meet this threshold, filing a police report protects your insurance claim.
Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured or if your vehicle blocks traffic lanes. Even without injuries, a police report provides official documentation that insurance companies prefer for processing claims.
Document everything yourself, regardless of whether police respond:
- Photos: Vehicle damage, accident scene, skid marks, and road conditions.
- Location details: Exact mile marker, intersection, or street address.
- Time and conditions: Date, time, weather, and visibility factors.
- Witness information: Names and contact details of anyone who saw the crash.
Contact your insurance company within 24-48 hours to start your claim. Prompt reporting helps ensure coverage and speeds up the claims process.
Some insurance policies require immediate notification of accidents. Check your policy terms to avoid any coverage issues.
What Steps Should You Take After a Deer Collision
The moments after hitting a deer can be chaotic and frightening. Following clear steps protects your safety and preserves your insurance claim.
Call 911 and Get Safe
Move your vehicle off the roadway if it’s safe and drivable. Turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers. Check yourself and passengers for injuries before doing anything else.
Never approach an injured deer. Wounded deer can kick, bite, or thrash unpredictably, causing serious injuries. Let wildlife officials or police handle any injured animals.
Document and Notify
Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles. Capture the accident scene, including road conditions and any debris. If available, preserve any dashcam footage as evidence of the deer encounter. If witnesses are present, get their names and phone numbers.
Note the exact location, time, and weather conditions. These details help insurance adjusters understand how the accident happened.
Start the Insurance Claim
Call your insurance company’s claims hotline as soon as you’re safe. Many insurers offer 24-hour claim reporting. Provide all the information you documented at the scene.
Schedule a damage inspection with your insurance company. Keep receipts for towing, storage, and any emergency repairs needed to make your vehicle safe to drive.
Your insurance adjuster will guide you through the rest of the claims process. Stay in regular contact and provide any additional information they request promptly.
Suing After a Collision With a Deer in Missouri
Lawsuits after deer collisions are extremely rare because wild animals cannot be held legally responsible. You cannot sue a deer, and you generally cannot sue government entities for failing to prevent deer crossings.
Very limited exceptions exist where lawsuits might be possible:
- Another driver’s negligence: If someone else’s careless driving contributed to your crash.
- Vehicle defects: If faulty brakes or other mechanical failures prevented you from avoiding the deer.
- Road design issues: Rarely, dangerous road conditions might create government liability.
Missouri’s sovereign immunity laws protect government entities from most deer-related lawsuits. Courts generally don’t hold cities or counties responsible for wild animal behavior.
The vast majority of deer collision cases involve only insurance claims. Focus your efforts on working with your insurance company rather than looking for someone to sue, while taking steps to mitigate damages through proper documentation and timely repairs.
Injury Claims Involving Multiple Vehicles
Multi-vehicle crashes involving deer create different legal options. If another driver’s negligence contributed to your injuries, you may pursue compensation through their liability insurance.
Available injury compensation includes:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages: Income you lose while unable to work due to injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
Your Medical Payments coverage pays injury costs immediately, regardless of fault. Health insurance covers additional medical bills, though you may owe copays and deductibles.
In Missouri, you have five years from the accident date to file personal injury lawsuits. Don’t wait too long to explore your legal options if other parties share fault.
If you believe another party contributed to your deer accident, consult with our experienced auto accident attorneys immediately. Time limits apply to all potential legal claims.
Will Your Insurance Rates Increase After a Deer Claim
Filing a deer claim can affect your insurance rates, but comprehensive claims typically cause smaller increases than at-fault collision claims. Insurance companies view deer strikes as random events that drivers can’t easily prevent.
Multiple claims in a short period almost guarantee rate increases. Your driving record, claim history, and insurance company policies all influence how much your rates go up.
Strategies to minimize rate impacts include:
- Shopping around: Different insurers handle deer claims differently.
- Raising deductibles: Higher deductibles often mean lower premiums.
- Bundling policies: Combining auto and home insurance can offset increases.
- Accident forgiveness: Some policies prevent rate hikes after the first claim.
Consider whether filing a small-claims case is worth the potential rate increases. If repair costs are barely above your deductible, paying out of pocket might save you money in the long run.
Your insurance agent can explain how claims affect your specific policy. Ask about rate impacts before deciding whether to file a claim.
Can You Recover Diminished Value After Deer Damage
Diminished value refers to your vehicle being worth less after an accident, even with perfect repairs. Recovering this lost value in Missouri depends on your specific situation and insurance coverage.
First-party claims with your own insurance rarely include diminished value compensation. Insurance companies typically don’t pay for diminished value on comprehensive or collision claims you file with them.
Third-party claims offer a better chance of recovering diminished value. If another driver caused your deer-related accident, their liability insurance might cover your vehicle’s lost value.
Proving diminished value requires a professional appraisal. You’ll need documentation showing your car’s value before and after the accident. This process costs money and isn’t guaranteed to succeed.
Most deer strikes involve only comprehensive coverage, making diminished value recovery unlikely. Focus on quality repairs rather than pursuing diminished-value claims.
Missouri Car Crash Law Firm With 35+ Years Experience
Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is the only law firm in Missouri focusing exclusively on auto accident law. We’ve spent over 35 years helping Missouri families navigate complex accident situations, including deer-related crashes that involve other vehicles.
We have recovered significant compensation for clients across Missouri. We understand how deer accidents can quickly become complicated when multiple vehicles are involved or when other drivers share fault.
We help with deer collision cases by:
- Investigating complex crashes: Determining if other parties bear responsibility for your injuries.
- Handling insurance negotiations: Protecting you from unfair settlement offers.
- Coordinating medical care: Ensuring you get proper treatment while we handle legal matters.
- Fighting for full compensation: Pursuing every dollar you deserve for your injuries and losses.
We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions about deer-related accidents. Our free consultations let you understand your options without any financial risk.
Contact us online if you were injured in a deer-vehicle collision. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Comprehensive Cover a Parked Car Hit by a Deer
Yes, comprehensive coverage pays for deer damage to parked vehicles. You’ll pay your comprehensive deductible, then insurance covers the remaining repair costs.
Do I Pay a Deductible for a Deer Claim
Yes, you pay either your comprehensive deductible for direct deer strikes or your collision deductible if you swerve and hit something else. The deductible amount depends on what you chose when buying coverage.
Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply to Deer Crashes
No, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage doesn’t apply to deer collisions. This coverage only helps when another driver causes your accident but lacks adequate insurance.
Will Medical Payments Cover My Passengers
Yes, MedPay coverage helps pay reasonable medical expenses for both you and your passengers after any covered accident. Coverage applies regardless of who caused the crash.
Can I Keep My Totaled Vehicle in Missouri
Yes, Missouri allows you to retain vehicles declared total losses by insurance companies. Your settlement gets reduced by the vehicle’s salvage value if you choose to keep it.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit
Missouri’s statute of limitations gives you five years from the accident date to file personal injury lawsuits. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the death.
