During the recent 12-month period between July of 2020 and June of 2021, similar scenes occurred an estimated 2.1 million times across US roads (7.2% more than in the previous twelve months) according to an annual analysis by State Farm, the leader auto insurer in the United States.

Crashes between motor vehicles and animals happen in every state and all year round, yet the data confirms that the most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October and December, in this order, and just like in the previous 12-month period.
 

Different points of view

From a geographical perspective, the top 5 states in terms of animal collisions were: Pennsylvania (with 166,404 estimated auto insurance claims filed for the entire industry), Michigan (132,387), Texas, where the estimated total number of animal strike claims (131,373) grew 19% since the previous period, California, where the claims number (104,767) exploded by a 65% compared to the previous 12-month period, and North Carolina (98,409).

Interestingly, looking at the likelihood that drivers have of hitting an animal renders a different ranking: it turns out that West Virginia leads the nation in this type of risk (1 in 37 chance), followed by Montana, where the chances of hitting an animal (1 in 39) grew 17% since the previous period, South Dakota (1 in 48), Michigan and Pennsylvania (both, with 1 in 54 chance).

Compare that to what happens in the District of Columbia, where it is estimated that less than one thousand animal collisions took place during the recent 12-month period observed, and where drivers have a much lower probability of 1 in 569 of hitting an animal.

The two different types of state rankings differ because for the likelihood of animal collisions ranking, both the number of license drivers and the total number of animal collisions in each state affect the calculation, while for the claims ranking, only the first variable (estimated number of industry claims) matters.

Many times animal collisions end up in road kills, and often in injuries or even deaths of drivers and passengers. From a material perspective, the damage to the vehicles can vary wildly, from a scratch or a bump to a car being completely totaled, depending on factors such as the speed at which one is driving or the size of the animal being hit.
 

Biodiversity

“Animal collisions remind us of the intrinsic risk that comes with driving a motor vehicle that has the potential of travelling very fast. Scanning the road while we drive and avoiding speeding, which has been very prevalent during the pandemic, can avoid and reduce the severity of all kind of car crashes, including those where pets or wild animals are involved,” said Operations Vice President Kimberly Sterling, Auto Claims teams lead at State Farm. 

The range of animals involved in auto crashes is extremely diverse. Our claims database for this type of incident might make one think of an inventory of Noah’s Ark. In our files we find chickens, alligators, bats, cows, pigs, armadillos, bears, donkeys, eagles, horses, coyotes, owls, cats, dogs... and the list goes on. And then there’s the “unidentified animals” category: those that drivers were unable to identify at the time of the accidents, often due to how fast everything happened, and those for which claim specialists simply didn’t have more information. However, nationwide, in the recent 12-month period observed, more than half of the time the animal being hit was a deer (an estimated 1.4 million of them), followed by “unidentified animals” (189,715), rodents (110,976), dogs (92,924) and raccoons (58,020).

For the calculation of the industry claim estimates, we took into account the number of animal collisions claims received by State Farm, the company's market penetration (proprietary), and the number of licensed drivers in each state.
 

Prevent as much as you can

Speeding has been one of the most dangerous phenomenons during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calling 2020 the deadliest year (for humans) on highways in more than a decade. Similarly, speed could also be a factor behind the staggering animal collision statistics and their recent increase.

Here is a list of 10 tips that could help you reduce the odds of going through the experience of hitting an animal with your motor vehicle.

• Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road.
• Stay alert. Scan the road for animals day and night, both in the countryside and in the city, and pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs.
• Reduce distractions. Put the cell phone away. It can help you avoid injuring motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and animals too.
• Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers.
• Don't swerve. If a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.
• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer may cause the animal to scurry away.
• Be aware of peak season. Deer crashes happen most often during October through December, which is hunting and mating season.
• Be mindful of meal time. Watch for animals on the road between dusk and dawn.
• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.
• Speak with your State Farm agent about comprehensive coverage, which typically covers repairs for collisions with animals, after your deductible.

If despite all of this you hit an animal, take a deep breath. Make sure you and your passengers are well. Call 911 if the animal is large and still there after you hit it. Check if your vehicle is drivable. When safe to do so, take pictures and, if needed, you can file a claim in multiple ways.

Finally, if you had children with you in the vehicle when the crash with an animal occurred, take a few moments to talk about what happened. Allowing emotions to be expressed, instead of putting them under the rug can go a long way, and acknowledging that driving always comes with risks may be very helpful for everyone for years to come.

West Virginia tops the list for the twelfth consecutive year. However, likelihood of having an insurance claim involving a deer was one in 46 for West Virginia drivers — down three points from last year..

The chance of hitting a deer, or other large animal, doubles in the fall. The months with the most claims are November, October and December, in that order. There is also an increased risk of collision with deer around dawn and dusk. Drivers should be engaged, alert and on the lookout at all times. You never know when you may need to react to a deer or other obstacle that may cross your travel path.

No matter where you live, or what time of day you are driving, it’s important to remain alert. Keep your eyes up and focused on the road. This helps you take action in the event a deer is suddenly in your path. Other tips to help keep drivers safe include:

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn.
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road.
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs.
• Always buckle up — every trip, every time.
• Use your high beams to see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic.
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving. This can result in a more severe crash.
• Remain focused on the road. Scan for hazards, including animals.
• Avoid distractions. Devices or eating might cause you to miss seeing an animal.
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles. They are not proven effective.
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear. Keep focus on the road ahead.

Mouse over the icons in the interactive image below for deer safety tips.

Methodology: State Farm is the nation’s leading auto insurer. Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, it calculated the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk, or moose or caribou between July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 — in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.

The 15th annual State Farm deer claim study helps define that danger for drivers. It ranks states by the potential likelihood a driver has of hitting a large animal, like deer, elk, moose or caribou.

This year's study has some good news for West Virginia drivers. WV continues to lead the nation in the likelihood of having an insurance claim involving a deer. However, their one out of every 43 drivers stat represents a 4.7 percent decrease from 2016.

Unfortunately, there were some increases in likelyhood among the top 10 over last year's study. Montana drivers have a one in 57 chance of a collision. This is a 1.8 percent increase. Pennsylvania drivers have a one in 63 chance of a crash, a 6.3 percent increase from 2016.

The top 10 states where a driver was most likely to have a large animal claim remain fairly consistent. Wisconsin moved into the top five, swapping positions with South Dakota. Wyoming moved into the top 10 at number eight. North Dakota moved up to number 10.  South Carolina is no longer in the top 10. Thirteen states had no change in ranking.

Mating season more than doubles the likelihood of collision with a large animal. So be especially alert during the months of October, November and December - deer mating season. Whether you hit a large animal, or it jumps into the side of your vehicle, such collisions can cause significant injuries and property damage. No matter where you live, it’s important to remain alert. Keep your eyes up and focused on the road.  This helps you take action in the event a deer is suddenly in your path. Some other tips to help keep drivers safe include:

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn.
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road.
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs.
• Always buckle up - every trip, every time.
• Use your high beams to see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic.
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving. This can result in a more severe crash.
• Remain focused on the road. Scan for hazards, including animals.
• Avoid distractions. Devices or eating might cause you to miss seeing an animal.
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles. They are not proven effective.
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear. Keep focus on the road ahead.

There is also an increased risk of collision with deer around dawn and dusk. Drivers should be engaged, alert and on the lookout at all times. You never know when you may need to react to a deer or other obstacle that may cross your travel path.

More 2017 State Farm deer collision facts:

• The national claim cost per claim average from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 was $4,179 -  up from $3,995 (2015-16).
• The months when most U.S. drivers had collisions with a deer, elk, moose or caribou were, in order:
  • November
  • October
  • December

Methodology:

State Farm is the nation’s leading auto insurer. Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, it calculated the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk, or moose or caribou between July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 - in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.

Mouse over the icons in the interactive image below for deer safety tips.

The top five states a driver was most likely to have a claim from a collision with a deer, elk or moose in the 2015-2016 study are:

Pennsylvania and Iowa have switched positions on the top ten list of states where drivers were more likely to collide with a deer, while Wyoming moved into the top ten at number eight. South Carolina is no longer in the top ten and thirteen states had no change in ranking.

The likelihood of colliding with a large animal more than doubles during the months of October, November and December, during deer mating season. Whether you hit a large animal or it jumps into the side of your vehicle, such collisions can cause significant injuries and property damage. No matter where you live, it’s important to keep your eyes up and focus on the road, helping you take action in the event a large animal is suddenly in your path. Some other tips to help keep drivers safe include:

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Always buckle up, every trip, every time
• Use your high beamsto see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
• Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
• Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead

“We know there is an increased risk of collision with deer around dawn and dusk, and also during the October-December breeding season,” said Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. “However, drivers should be engaged, alert and on the lookout at all times, because you never know when you may need to react to a deer or any other obstacle that may suddenly be in your path.”

More 2016 State Farm deer collisions facts:

The national average cost per claim for 2015-2016 was $3,995.08, down just slightly from $4,135 in 2014-2015.

The months when most drivers experienced collisions with a deer, elk or moose in the U.S., mostly due to deer mating season, were:

1. November
2. October
3. December

Methodology:

Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation’s leading auto insurer, calculates the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose during the time frame of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.