What Really Happens if You Hit a Deer in Northern Colorado?

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I'm no stranger to seeing deer out and about. When I first started driving and I'd go out at night, my parents would constantly remind me to be careful on the roads because of these animals.

For some reason, deer just love jumping into the middle of the road, looking you dead in the eye, and slowly prancing away.

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A Childhood Memory of a Deer Close Call

I remember one particular incident from when I was little. My mom and I were coming home from a dance class later at night and I was hounding her about how hungry I was.

The next thing we know, a buck runs across the front of our car, antlers colliding with the front window and then just walks away.

Luckily everyone (including the deer) was okay.

How Common Are Deer Accidents in the U.S.?

Did you know that insurance companies receive over 1 million deer accident claims EVERY SINGLE YEAR?!?

Deer and Elk Rutting Season in Colorado

Since we're at the start of rutting season for deer and elk, we're sure to hear stories like this for the next few weeks.

Officials from the National Park Service announced that parts of Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed or limited due to elk rutting.

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Annual Meadow Closures in Estes Park

This includes annual meadow closures at Estes Park to "prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating season."

What to Do If You Hit a Deer in Northern Colorado

If you do end up hitting a deer in Northern Colorado, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Move to a Safe Area Immediately

The first thing you have to do after colliding with a deer is make sure you move the vehicle to a safe area., according to experts at Zanner Law.

If you can still use your vehicle, turn those hazard lights on and move to the side of the road. Since the majority of deer incidents happen during twilight hours, making sure your vehicle is visible to others is crucial so you don't end up in more danger.

Call Police or Emergency Services

Once you and your vehicle are out of the way, call police or emergency services if you need help. These officials can assist with any injuries you might have sustained.

If your vehicle is in bad shape after the accident, police officers can get you and your vehicle to safety.

Document the Accident for Insurance

Make sure you take photos and videos of the damage. If there are any other eyewitnesses around, try to get their contact info too. Having documentation will help you once you put in a claim with your insurance provider or lawyer.

Don’t Approach the Deer

I know your first instinct once you're safe is to check on the deer, but don't. Leave it alone for now.

If the animal is still alive, then it could be scared or shocked. An animal in that state might be dangerous to you. Law experts recommend waiting for help to arrive on the scene.

Check Your Vehicle Before Driving Away

Once you have all of that sorted out, experts say you shouldn't just assume that you can drive your vehicle right after. Even if the damage seems superficial law experts say, "problematic issues can hide under the surface."

Give your car or truck a once-over to check for any sort of leaking fluids or loose parts.

Read More: Fort Collins Drivers See Hundreds of Speeding Tickets Waived

You can get a more in depth look at this process here.

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