Deer crash season is here, and these are the odds of hitting one in your state

Deer are on the move, and drivers are running into them. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, State Farm estimates there were more than 1.6 million animal-vehicle collision claims across the U.S., and deer are by far the most commonly struck animal, the insurer said in its annual animal collision report. State Farm alone paid $1.9 billion on those claims.

The national odds of a driver filing an animal collision claim improved slightly, from 1 in 139 last year to 1 in 145. Where you live matters a lot more. West Virginia has the highest odds again, at 1 in 46, followed by Montana (1 in 54), Wisconsin (1 in 62), Pennsylvania (1 in 64), and Michigan (1 in 68). Pennsylvania had the most claims of any state, about 141,000.

State	Odds of an animal collision claim
West Virginia	1 in 46
Montana	1 in 54
Wisconsin	1 in 62
Pennsylvania	1 in 64
Michigan	1 in 68
Iowa, Mississippi, Virginia	1 in 81
North Carolina	1 in 95
Georgia	1 in 115
New York	1 in 185
Texas	1 in 223
New Jersey	1 in 245
California	1 in 430
Florida	1 in 543
Hawaii	1 in 852

Those odds come from insurance claims for all animals, not just deer, and they're based on the number of licensed drivers in each state. In past reports, State Farm found November is the riskiest month, followed by October and December.

Fall is when deer get reckless. Deer become more active in autumn heading into their breeding season, known as the rut, the Pennsylvania Game Commission says, and young bucks can travel several dozen miles looking for new territory. In New Jersey, peak mating season typically runs from mid- to late October into mid-December, state officials said last week. They also flagged that daylight saving time ends November 1, which moves more evening commutes into the dark.

"Collisions with deer pose a very serious safety threat and can cause significant damage to vehicles and possible loss of life," said Dave Golden, assistant commissioner for fish and wildlife at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Crashes cluster around dawn and dusk. In Michigan, which had more than 58,000 deer-vehicle crashes in 2024, most happen between 8 and 9 a.m. and between 6 and 9 p.m., according to the Michigan State Police.

Deaths are less common, but they've been rising. Collisions with animals killed 210 people in 2024, up from 89 in 1975, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Texas had the most deaths over the past 10 years. And while insurance claims peak in the fall, the most deaths in 2024 happened from July through September.

If a deer runs out in front of you, don't swerve. "Do not swerve to avoid impact if a collision appears inevitable because a deer may counter-maneuver suddenly," New Jersey officials say. Brake firmly and try to stay in your lane, Michigan State Police advise. Use your high beams in the dark when there's no traffic ahead or coming toward you. And if one deer crosses, slow down and watch for more. Deer often travel in groups and walk single file, so another could be right behind it, the Pennsylvania Game Commission says.

After a crash, turn on your flashers, stay buckled up, and pull onto the shoulder if you can. Stay away from the deer, because a wounded, frightened animal could be dangerous. New Jersey tells drivers to report any deer-vehicle collision to local police right away.

For the car, the coverage that usually pays is comprehensive, not collision. "Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage from collisions with animals, subject to the policy terms and deductible," State Farm says. Comprehensive is optional, so check whether your policy has it before you need it. Repairs aren't cheap. The average animal-strike claim for Oklahoma drivers reached $7,277 in 2025, up 27% from five years earlier, AAA told Fox 25.

Some states let you keep the deer. In Pennsylvania, only residents may claim a deer killed in a crash, and they have to call the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD within 24 hours of taking it. Drivers there don't have to report hitting a deer to the Game Commission.

Sources

• State Farm: Animal collision data and driver safety
• State Farm: Earlier animal collision reports
• IIHS: Collisions with fixed objects and animals
• New Jersey DEP: Deer mating season driver warning
• Gothamist: Deer are all over New Jersey roads, state officials warn
• Pennsylvania Game Commission: Deer on the move, crossing roads more
• Michigan State Police: Vehicle-deer crashes
• Michigan DIFS: Insurance coverage for deer collisions
• Fox 25 Oklahoma City: Deer collision season
• Carrier Management: State Farm animal collision report