Deer Collision Season: The Worst States and Tips to Avoid Hitting an Animal

Deer collisions go crazy in the fall. November is the worst month by far—last year October, November, and December made up 41% of all animal crashes. State Farm logged 1.7 million animal collision claims in the past year. Deer caused 1.1 million of them.

Why This Happens

Deer are in their lovey-dovey period during fall, meaning they're way more active right when it's getting dark earlier. They're moving arоund most at dawn and from 6-9 p.m., which is exactly when people are driving home from work.
Driving distracted makes this worse. State Farm found that speeding or being on your phone increases the chance of hitting an animal by 23%.

The worst mistake people make is swerving. Yeah, it feels instinctive to jerk the wheel when a deer jumps оut, but that's hоw people end up wrapped around trees. About 20% of crash deaths happen when vehicles leave the road and hit something solid. Braking hard beats swerving almost every time.

Avoiding Deer

1. Drive slower at the right times. Early morning and early evening are when deer are out. Just expect them.
2. Watch for patterns. Deer hang out in the same spоts. If you see them in a field on your way to work one day, they'll probably be there again.
3. One deer means more are coming. They don't travel alone. One crosses, more will follow.
4. High beams help. Use them when there's no oncoming traffic and it's dark out.
5. Those deer whistles don't work. Some people buy little whistles to mount on their bumper thinking it'll scare deer off. State Farm says there's no scientific evidence they do anything. Don't waste money on them.
6. Just wear your seatbelt. Most people killed in deer collisions weren't wearing one. Motorcyclists have it worse—they're over half the fatalities, and almost half weren't wearing helmets.

After a Collision

Get off the road safely and call police or animal control. Don't touch the deer—injured animals can still hurt you.

Take pictures of the damage and call insurance later. Comprehensive coverage handles this, same as theft or weather damage.

Worst States for Deer Hits

Based on State Farm data from July 2024 to June 2025:

• West Virginia - 1 in 40 odds
• Montana - 1 in 53
• Wisconsin - 1 in 58
• Michigan - 1 in 61
• Pennsylvania - 1 in 62
• South Dakota - 1 in 73
• Iowa - 1 in 76
• Mississippi - 1 in 77
• Wyoming - 1 in 82
• Virginia - 1 in 82

Rural drivers and people in these states need to be extra careful. Deer are unpredictable but knowing when and where they're most active helps avoid a crash.