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A deer can appear in the roadway with almost no warning. For Michigan drivers, that risk becomes especially common in the fall, when deer activity increases and thousands of deer-vehicle crashes occur across the state.
Many of these collisions result only in vehicle damage. Others are far more serious. A driver may lose control, leave the roadway, strike another vehicle, hit a tree or other fixed object, or suffer significant injuries from the impact itself.
If you are injured in a deer-related crash, the compensation available to you will depend largely on how the accident happened and what insurance coverage applies.
Insurance Coverage After a Deer Crash
If you are injured while driving your own vehicle, Michigan No-Fault insurance may provide Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, benefits. Depending on your policy and circumstances, those benefits may include coverage for accident-related medical treatment, wage loss, replacement services, and rehabilitation.
You do not need another driver to be at fault for PIP benefits to apply. Even a single-vehicle crash involving only your vehicle and a deer may qualify.
Damage to your vehicle is different. Hitting a deer is generally covered by comprehensive coverage, which is optional in Michigan. If your policy does not include comprehensive coverage, you may be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
PIP benefits also do not compensate you for pain and suffering. In a typical crash where a wild deer simply enters the roadway and no one else contributed to the accident, there usually is no at-fault person to pursue for those damages.
What If Another Driver Contributed to the Crash?
The analysis changes when another driver is involved.
For example, another vehicle may force you from your lane, follow too closely, make an unsafe lane change, or react to a deer in a way that causes a second collision. In those situations, the presence of a deer does not necessarily eliminate another driver’s responsibility.
A deer-related crash can become a traditional negligence case if another driver’s conduct helped cause the accident. Police reports, witness statements, photographs, vehicle damage, and video footage can all be important in determining what actually happened.
The same is true if you were a passenger. You may still qualify for Michigan No-Fault benefits, and if another driver negligently contributed to the collision, additional claims may be available depending on the circumstances and severity of your injuries.
What Should You Do After Hitting a Deer?
If you are involved in a deer collision, your first concern should be safety. Move out of traffic if you can do so safely, activate your hazard lights, and avoid approaching an injured deer.
Call the police, particularly if someone is injured, another vehicle is involved, the deer is creating a roadway hazard, or there is significant property damage. Michigan law generally requires a crash to be reported when it results in injury, death, or at least $1,000 in apparent property damage.
You should also seek medical attention if you are injured, even if your symptoms initially seem manageable. When it is safe to do so, photograph the scene and your vehicle, obtain contact information from witnesses, and notify your insurance company.
Be careful about driving the vehicle after the crash. A deer strike can damage tires, lights, the hood, cooling systems, and other components that may not be immediately obvious.
Deer Crashes Are Especially Common in Michigan
Michigan drivers can encounter deer at any time of year, but the risk increases considerably during the fall. Deer are especially active from October through December and around dawn and dusk.
Drivers should use extra caution near wooded areas, fields, waterways, and posted deer-crossing areas. And if you see one deer, assume there may be others nearby.
Learn more about handling seasonal driving risks and car accident claims in Michigan.
When a Deer Crash Causes Serious Injuries
When a deer collision causes serious injuries, the issues involved often extend well beyond repairing the vehicle. Questions about medical coverage, lost income, insurance benefits, fault, and potential compensation can quickly become more complicated.
Michigan Accident Attorneys can review how the crash occurred, determine what insurance coverage may apply, investigate whether another driver contributed to the accident, and help you understand the benefits and claims that may be available.
If you were injured after hitting a deer or in a crash involving another driver reacting to a deer in Michigan, call (877) 225-5622 or contact Michigan Accident Attorneys online for a free consultation.
