Indiana reports more than 14,000 deer-vehicle collisions every year, and they are not spread evenly across the calendar. October through December is the peak, and November is the worst month in the country.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that the rate of animal-strike insurance claims in November runs more than twice the yearly average, based on an analysis of claims from 2013 to 2022.
The single most important piece of advice is also the most counterintuitive: brake hard, but do not swerve. Hitting the deer is usually safer than avoiding it, and the reasons are worth understanding before you are in the situation.
Why Swerving Is More Dangerous Than the Deer
A deer strike at highway speed causes serious vehicle damage. Leaving your lane at highway speed can cause something worse.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that roughly 20 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths result from a vehicle leaving the road and striking a fixed object such as a tree or a utility pole. Swerving also risks crossing into oncoming traffic.
Many of the most serious crashes in deer season do not happen when drivers hit deer. They happen when drivers try not to.
The correct response is to brake firmly in a straight line, keep both hands on the wheel, and stay in your lane. Brake hard, but not so hard that you lock the wheels and lose steering.
When and Where It Happens
Deer collisions cluster tightly, which means the risk is predictable.
-
October through November is the rut, the white-tailed deer breeding season, when deer move far more than usual
-
Dusk to dawn is when most collisions occur, with the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. window particularly active
-
High-speed rural roads account for the majority
If your commute includes rural highway at dusk in November, that is the highest-risk combination Indiana produces.
The Rule Most Drivers Forget
When you see one deer, assume there are more. Deer travel in groups and follow one another. A deer that has just crossed in front of you is frequently not alone, and the second one is the one that gets hit.
Slow down and keep scanning both shoulders rather than accelerating once the first animal clears.
What Works and What Does Not
Use your high beams at night where oncoming traffic allows. They illuminate the reflective surface in deer eyes at a distance and buy you reaction time.
Use one long blast of your horn. This works better than flashing your headlights, which can freeze a deer in place rather than moving it.
Deer whistles do not work. There is no scientific evidence supporting the car-mounted devices sold as deterrents. Indiana wildlife specialists have said as much directly.
Which Insurance Coverage Applies
This is where the swerve decision has a financial consequence most drivers do not realize.
If you hit the deer, the damage is generally covered by comprehensive coverage, sometimes called Other Than Collision.
If you swerve and hit a tree, a guardrail, or another vehicle instead, that typically becomes a collision claim.
The distinction depends on what your vehicle actually struck. Comprehensive claims are also frequently treated as not at fault, meaning your premium may not automatically increase, though that varies by insurer.
So swerving can convert a comprehensive claim into a collision claim, in addition to being physically more dangerous. Worth checking what your policy covers before November rather than after.
What to Do After a Collision
Pull over, turn on your hazard lights, and check everyone for injuries. Impacts that felt minor can still cause injuries that are not immediately obvious.
Do not approach the deer. A frightened, wounded animal is unpredictable, and a deer that appears dead may not be.
Call the police, and photograph the animal and the damage if it is safe. Notify your insurer within 24 hours with your policy number, photos, and police report number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I swerve to avoid a deer?
No. Brake firmly and stay in your lane. Leaving the road or crossing into oncoming traffic is more dangerous than striking the deer.
When are deer collisions most common in Indiana?
October through December, peaking in November during the rut. Most occur between dusk and dawn on high-speed rural roads.
Does insurance cover hitting a deer?
Generally yes, under comprehensive coverage. If you swerve and strike something else instead, it typically becomes a collision claim, which is treated differently.
Do deer whistles work?
No. There is no scientific evidence that car-mounted deer whistles reduce collisions.
What should I do right after hitting a deer?
Pull over, use hazard lights, check for injuries, and do not approach the animal. Call police, photograph the scene if safe, and notify your insurer.
The Bottom Line
Brake, do not swerve. Assume a second deer is following the first. Use high beams and your horn rather than novelty devices. And know before November whether you carry comprehensive coverage, because that is what stands between you and a $4,000 repair bill.
Hazard recognition and controlled braking are core defensive driving skills. ABetterDriver offers the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles approved Driver Safety Program fully online for $28.95, self-paced, with completion reported directly to the BMV for a 4-point credit.
