Hit a Deer on Cape Cod? What to Do Next and How Repairs Work
If you hit a deer on Cape Cod, get to a safe spot, check everyone for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is stuck in traffic. Then report the strike to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, take photos, and call your insurance company. Have the car looked at before you drive it far, because a deer can do much more damage than you can see from the outside.
This is the time of year to watch for it. According to MassWildlife and MassDOT, about 25% of reported deer and moose collisions in Massachusetts from 2018 to 2022 happened in November, and 48% happened between October and December. Deer breed from late October into early December, and early morning and evening are the riskiest times. That's right when a lot of us are driving to and from work over the bridges.
What should I do right after hitting a deer?
Get out of traffic. Pull onto the shoulder or into a lot and turn on your hazard lights. If the car can't be moved and you're in a travel lane, stay buckled in and call 911.
Check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, even if it seems minor.
Stay away from the deer. An injured deer can kick hard. Don't try to move it or check on it.
Report it. MassWildlife asks drivers to report deer and moose collisions to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.
Take photos. Get the whole car from every side, close-ups of the damage, and the scene. They help with your claim and with your estimate.
Call your insurance company to start a claim.
Do I have to file a crash report in Massachusetts?
Often, yes. Massachusetts requires a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days of a crash that injures or kills anyone, or that causes more than $1,000 in damage to any one vehicle or other property. Copies go to the police department where the crash happened, to your insurance company, and to the RMV. Once headlights, grilles and front sensors are involved, repairs often go past that amount, so it's smart to file.
Is it safe to drive my car after hitting a deer?
Not always. Even a strike that looks like a cracked bumper can hide damage behind it. Have the car towed instead of driving it if you notice any of these:
Fluid leaking under the front of the car, or a rising temperature gauge
A headlight out or aimed in the wrong direction
A hood that won't latch or has shifted
Warning lights on the dash, especially airbag, collision-warning or cruise-control lights
A tire rubbing, a wheel that looks out of line, or steering that pulls
What kind of damage does a deer usually cause?
Most deer strikes hit the front of the car: the bumper cover, grille, headlights, hood and fenders. Right behind the bumper are the radiator and air-conditioning condenser, and on many newer cars the radar sensor used for adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Damage to those parts isn't always visible. A complete estimate often means looking behind the bumper, not just at it.
Does insurance cover hitting a deer?
On most policies, hitting an animal falls under comprehensive coverage instead of collision coverage. That can matter because the two may carry different deductibles. Every policy is different, so check yours or call your agent. Angels Touch Autobody and Detailing works with pretty much all insurance companies, and we can help you through the claim from start to finish.
Why does OEM-certified repair matter after a deer strike?
Today's front ends are packed with safety equipment: sensors, cameras, crash structures and lighting all built to the automaker's specifications. A proper repair follows the manufacturer's repair procedures, including any sensor calibration the automaker requires, so those systems work the way they did before the crash.
Angels Touch Autobody and Detailing is OEM collision-certified for GM, Cadillac, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat.
How can I avoid hitting a deer on Cape Cod?
Slow down around dawn and dusk, especially from October through December.
Watch for deer crossing signs and wooded edges along the road.
If one deer crosses, slow down and watch for more.
Use your high beams on dark roads when there's no oncoming traffic.
Brake, don't swerve. MassWildlife warns that swerving can cause more danger and damage than hitting the deer.
Frequently asked questions
Should I swerve to avoid a deer?
No. Brake firmly and stay in your lane. Swerving can put you into oncoming traffic, a tree or a ditch.
Who do I call after hitting a deer in Massachusetts?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the car is blocking traffic. Report the collision to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075, then call your insurance company.
Can I keep a deer I hit in Massachusetts?
According to MassWildlife, the driver or passengers may salvage the deer by bringing it to a MassWildlife office to be officially tagged.
Can I get a repair estimate without bringing the car in?
Yes. You can send photos through our online photo estimate, and we'll follow up with you. If the car isn't safe to drive, it should be towed rather than driven.
Get your free online photo estimate
Angels Touch Autobody and Detailing is at 148 MacArthur Blvd in Bourne, MA, serving Cape Cod and the South Shore. We're open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and closed Saturdays and Sundays. If a deer got the better of your car this season, send us a few photos and we'll take it from there.
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