What to do after hitting a deer starts with safety: get your vehicle out of traffic if you can, turn on your hazard lights and stay away from the animal.
Next, call for help if anyone is hurt, then report the crash and contact your insurer as your state and policy require.
What to Do After Hitting a Deer, Step by Step
The steps below draw on guidance from transportation and insurance officials in Wisconsin, Michigan and Maryland.
- Get off the road if you can. Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) advises drivers to pull off the road if possible, turn on emergency flashers and watch for traffic if they exit the vehicle.
- Think twice before getting out. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) tells drivers to stay buckled up inside the vehicle and wait for help, noting that walking along a road is always dangerous.
- Call 911 when it is urgent. WisDOT says to call 911 if someone is hurt or the deer is in the active part of the road.
- Leave the deer alone. Michigan DIFS warns that wounded animals can be dangerous and that a deer that looks dead may only be stunned.
- Document what you can safely. Michigan DIFS suggests photos of the roadway, your surroundings, the damage and any injuries, plus contact details from witnesses who stop.
- Check the car before driving away. Do not assume your vehicle is safe to drive. If anything seems wrong, Michigan DIFS recommends calling for a tow.
Do You Need to Call the Police After Hitting a Deer?
It depends on your state and on what happened, because reporting rules and official advice vary. Call 911 any time someone is hurt or the deer or your car is blocking traffic. For a crash with no injuries, check your state’s rules and the guidance from your state agencies before you leave the scene.
The Maryland Insurance Administration advises drivers to pull to a safe location with hazard lights on and call the police. Michigan DIFS says to report the crash to the nearest police agency and to your insurance company or agent.
In Wisconsin, if no one is hurt and both your vehicle and the deer are off the road, WisDOT says to report the crash or contact local law enforcement. WisDOT also asks for a detailed location when a car-killed deer is reported, so crews can find and remove it.
How Three State Agencies Advise Drivers After a Deer Strike
The table compares official guidance side by side. Drivers in other states can look for similar advice from their own agencies.
| Agency | Police and 911 | The deer | Your car and insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| WisDOT (Wisconsin), October 2026 | 911 if someone is hurt or the deer is in the road; otherwise report the crash or contact local law enforcement | Never try to move an injured deer | Stay buckled up and wait for help |
| Michigan DIFS, October 2026 | Report to the nearest police agency | Do not approach; it may only be stunned | Tell your insurer; comprehensive coverage includes a collision with an animal |
| Maryland Insurance Administration | Call the police from a safe location | Never approach an injured animal | Comprehensive coverage is optional and pays for animal strikes |
Who Removes the Deer From the Road in Wisconsin
In its October 2026 release, WisDOT says to call your county highway department or the sheriff’s non-emergency line to dispose of a car-killed deer.
WisDOT’s roadside guidance adds that the right contact depends on the road:
- Remains in a traveled lane of a highway: call 911.
- Interstates and U.S. or state highways: the county sheriff’s non-emergency number.
- County roads: the county.
- Local roads: the municipality.
Other states may assign this work differently, so ask the agency that responds. If you are hoping to keep the deer, check with your state wildlife agency first.
Insurance Basics for Deer Collisions Across the U.S.
Coverage for animal strikes usually sits in the part of a policy called comprehensive coverage, sometimes shortened to “comp.” Michigan DIFS says this coverage pays for repairs after a falling object, fire, flood, vandalism or a collision with an animal. Maryland’s advisory describes it as optional coverage for damage from causes other than a crash with another vehicle or object.
Your own policy decides what is covered, so read your declarations page or call your agent. Our guide to filing an insurance claim after a single-vehicle accident explains how these claims move forward.
Deer strikes are more common in some parts of the country than others. Our look at deer-vehicle collision risk by state shows where they happen most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hitting a Deer
Where can I find what to do after hitting a deer in my state?
Check your state transportation department, insurance department or state police website. Wisconsin, Michigan and Maryland agencies all publish guidance.
Does car insurance cover hitting a deer?
It may. Michigan and Maryland insurance regulators say comprehensive coverage pays for damage from hitting an animal, but your policy decides what is covered.
Should I move a deer off the road?
No. WisDOT says never attempt to move an injured deer and to call 911 if the deer is in the active part of the road.
Do I have to report hitting a deer to the police?
It depends on your state and the crash. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or traffic is blocked, and check your state’s reporting rules otherwise.
Get Your Deer Crash Report Without the Hassle
Sorting out a report and an insurance claim after a deer strike can take a lot of time. At Local Accident Reports, we can help you get your police report fast and for free.
If you need any help, you can contact our team at 888-657-1460 any time.
Last reviewed: November 2026
This post was reviewed by Hernán Beresnak, Lead Editor, Local Accident Reports.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Local Accident Reports is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. See our full disclaimer at https://localaccidentreports.com/disclaimer/ .
