Hit a Deer in Virginia? Here's Exactly What to Do Next

Few things rattle a driver like a deer leaping into the road. In Virginia — home to one of the highest deer-collision rates on the East Coast — it's not a question of if you'll encounter a deer on the road, but when. The good news: if you know what to do in the moments after a deer strike, you can protect yourself, your passengers, your driving record, and your wallet. Here's your complete guide.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right After Hitting a Deer

1. Pull over and turn on your hazards

Move your vehicle safely to the shoulder, away from the animal, and switch on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.

2. Stay away from the deer

An injured deer is unpredictable and dangerous. Never approach or try to move it. If the animal is blocking traffic, let law enforcement handle it.

3. Call the police

In Virginia, a collision that kills a deer should be reported to law enforcement or a Conservation Police Officer. A police report also creates the documentation your insurance company will want. Curious how crash reports work? See our guide to Virginia car accident reports.

4. Document everything

Photograph the damage, the road, skid marks, and the surrounding area. Note the time, location, and weather. These details make your insurance claim smoother.

5. Call your insurance company

Report the collision promptly and share your photos and the police report number. Don't drive away without checking your car — leaking fluids, a damaged radiator, or a misaligned hood latch can turn a drivable car into a roadside breakdown.

Does Hitting a Deer Go on Your Virginia Driving Record?

Here's the relief most drivers are looking for: a deer strike is typically filed under your comprehensive coverage, not collision — and it's generally treated as a not-at-fault event. That means no demerit points and, in most cases, no premium surcharge. If you want to see what's on your record, here's how to check your Virginia driving record.

The exception: if you swerved to avoid the deer and hit a car, guardrail, or mailbox, the crash may be handled as an at-fault collision — which can mean demerit points. Counterintuitive as it sounds, safety experts agree it's usually safer to brake firmly and stay in your lane than to swerve.

Virginia drivers have roughly a 1-in-72 chance of hitting an animal in any given year — among the highest odds in the nation.

Deer Season: When and Where the Risk Peaks

Deer collisions in Virginia spike from October through December during mating season, and again in late spring when yearlings strike out to find new territory. Dawn and dusk are the highest-risk hours, because deer are most active at exactly the times when visibility is at its worst for drivers. Rural two-lane roads in counties with heavy woods see the most strikes, but suburban Northern Virginia parkways and even Hampton Roads neighborhoods are hotspots too — anywhere wooded land meets busy roads, deer will cross.

If your daily commute runs through deer country, build in an extra margin of safety during these months: leave a few minutes earlier so you're not tempted to speed, increase your following distance so you have room to brake, and stay especially alert on stretches where you've seen deer before. Deer are creatures of habit, and they tend to cross in the same places year after year.

Defensive Driving Techniques That Prevent Deer Strikes

• Scan the shoulders, not just the road ahead — eyes shine in headlights.

• Expect a second deer. They travel in groups; one crossing usually means more.

• Use high beams on dark roads when no traffic is approaching.

• Slow down in posted deer-crossing zones — they're placed where strikes actually happen.

• Brake, don't swerve. Stay in your lane and reduce speed in a straight line.

These habits are exactly what a quality defensive driving program teaches. Our online defensive driving traffic school covers hazard recognition, scanning techniques, and emergency braking — skills that matter every single day on Virginia roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I legally have to report hitting a deer in Virginia?

If the collision kills the deer, Virginia law expects you to report it to a law enforcement or Conservation Police Officer. Reporting also protects you — it documents the event for insurance and allows you to lawfully claim the deer if you choose to.

Will my insurance rates go up after hitting a deer in Virginia?

Usually not. Deer strikes fall under comprehensive coverage and are treated as not-at-fault claims, which typically don't trigger surcharges — especially with a clean record. You'll still pay your comprehensive deductible.

Can I keep a deer I hit with my car in Virginia?

Yes. Under Virginia Code § 29.1-539, the driver may claim the deer, but you must report the collision and have an officer view the animal and give authorization.

Sharpen Your Defensive Driving Skills for $74.99

You can't control wildlife, but you can control how prepared you are. Our Virginia DMV-approved 8-hour driver improvement course is 100% online, self-paced, and earns +5 safe driving points on your record. Enroll today for just $74.99 at our secure enrollment page and drive every Virginia road with confidence.