Bucks Cost Bucks, Does Cost Dough

North America’s Collision Repair Experts Weigh in on the Hefty Costs of Hitting a Deer 

It’s the annual battle of the bumpers against the bucks, the does against the doors.  Both parties lose whenever car and deer collide, but a measure of defensive driving can cut the risks.

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts in the St. Louis area say the regularity and severity of deer-related accidents are growing as quickly as the deer population in certain markets. And, with the cold-weather months delivering peak season for deer-vehicle crashes, this risk is on the rise.

In reality, more than 40 percent of CARSTAR store owners describe a 25 percent rise in deer-related accidents, while some nearly 12 percent report a fifty percent increase and five percent have witnessed a gigantic 75 percent boost in their areas. That deer-related mishap could be costly -- just about seventy percent of CARSTAR store owners gauge that the average cost of a deer-related wreck repair is anywhere between $2,500 and $4,999, while some 5% of repairs are anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.

The latest survey by State Farm confirms the trend.  U.S. drivers are three percent more prone to hit a deer within the next 12 months vs this past year, specifically in October, November and December. The cost is rising, also, and is predicted to be about fourteen percent as compared to last year.

A new trend is appearing, and one that does not bode well for car owner or deer – the serial deer crash driver.  Once a driver has been around a deer-related crash, their own chances of having another one are going up.  Most of these vehicle operators reside in deer-filled areas, drive in the early morning or early evening when deer are out, or simply just happen to be ill-fated with bucks.

Greg Walter, a suburban Atlanta resident, is simply one example.  He’s had 17 deer-related crashes over the past decade!

“I’m not certain why they aim for my pickup, but they certainly do,” exclaimed Walter.  “I’ve totaled several company cars, and it’s become so bad that a few of my fellow workers put deer heads on my car door like a World War Two fighter pilot.  I’ve used different headlights, deer whistles, everything.  I think I simply have to have a retainer at my local CARSTAR shop.”

Drive Defensively to Avoid Deer Dangers

This present year, some 1.5 million vehicle operators will hit deer, and November is the top month for deer-related incidents in Columbia, Waterloo, Millstadt, Freeburg and Athens, Illinois.  However drivers can easily avoid a crash with a buck by following some smart driving tips this fall and winter.

Early morning and sunset are the worst hours for deer incidents, as visibility is limited and deer tend to be on the move. You will need to drive defensively and anticipate the potential for deer in the roadway.

The motor vehicle masters at Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR, who repair thousands of automobiles every year from deer-related mishaps, offer the tips below to reduce the deer danger:

1.    Use extreme care at daybreak and dusk and near golf courses, fields and wooded segments.

2.    Take into account that deer travel in packs – if you spot one, there are certainly likely more after it.

3.    Do not swerve to prevent yourself from hammering a deer, as that raises the risk of hammering another automobile or losing command over the automobile.

4.    When there's no opposing traffic, use high beams during the nighttime to better light up deer.

5.    Avoid relying on gear like deer whistles, which have been connected to the exterior of a car or truck, to try and scare off deer with an supersonic or high-frequency sound. They have not demonstrated to lessen deer-vehicle collisions.

6.    If a deer stays on the road when you hit it, record the incident to the game commission or a nearby law enforcement department, as the deer presents a danger to other road users. If the deer nevertheless continues to be living, you shouldn't go in the vicinity of it because a wild animal with sharp hooves may inflict injuries.

7.    If a crash with a deer really does take place, it will pay to be safe. Many motorists do not understand that using only collision coverage wouldn't cover destruction from a deer crash, leaving them with a wrecked automobile and a gigantic repair invoice.  To completely include any potential problems, people should certainly carry comprehensive insurance that deals with such collisions. For all those driving an older motor vehicle who really feel their used cars won't be worth the price of the insurance policy, it’s sensible to keep an “accident fund” for if anything does happen.

If a vehicle driver winds up marooned with a damaged car following a deer collision, they can always call 1-800-CARSTAR. Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR will send the tow truck, call their insurance company and help the vehicle owner get back on the highway.

Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois offers premium, reliable repair service at about 430 locations in thirty states and ten Canadian provinces. Simply call 1-800-CARSTAR if you need a automobile repair, and they will dispatch the tow truck, speak to your insurance company, plan for a rental car and repair your motor vehicle. For more information and store locations, go to www.auto-body-columbia-il.com.