The White-tailed Deer—Ohio’s official state mammal—has been roaming these lands since the Ice Age, but ever since humans started ripping down highways on two and four wheels, these antlered missiles have become the state’s most dangerous beast! Since 2019, over 109,000 crashes have gone down thanks to these four-legged projectiles, with nearly half happening in the fall when they’re running wild. Stark County takes the crown with the most collisions, but no road is safe when these overgrown speed bumps bolt out of nowhere. Last year alone, about fifty thousand Ohioans got a front-row seat to what “deer in the headlights” really means—usually right before impact!
ODOT says Ohio has eight million drivers, 121,000 miles of roadway, and 750,000 deer (up from about 17,000 in 1970). State Farm’s also got some numbers, and they ain’t pretty—Ohio drivers racked up about 82,500 animal collisions last year, most of ‘em thanks to deer playing chicken with traffic. While we can’t lock down the exact odds, the trend’s clear: your chances of smacking into one of these antlered road hazards are climbing. Last year, it was one in 131. This year? Maybe one in 126. But the risks vary by state, and West Virginia is still the wild frontier, with drivers there having a 1 in 40 chance of running into a deer or other wildlife. Pennsylvania isn’t far behind, ranking fourth with a 1 in 61 chance, and it leads the nation in sheer numbers, with over 150,000 animal-related claims filed between July 2023 and June 2024. Michigan’s not much safer, sitting in third place with a 1 in 59 chance of an animal encounter.
These collisions have become deadlier than ever, with fatalities more than doubling over the past two decades—now claiming around 200 lives and leaving 30,000 riders and drivers injured each year. What’s worse? Bikers are taking the brunt of it, making up about half of those deaths despite motorcycles being outnumbered 40 to 1 by cars, trucks, and SUVs. And to add insult to (sometimes fatal) injury – it ain’t cheap. The average insurance claim for hitting a deer runs about $3,995, adding up to a massive $1.1 billion in property damage every year. Out of the 6.1 million crashes across the U.S., 1.2 million are animal-related—and 90% of those are deer!
Legally speaking, if you’re unlucky enough to smack into a deer or any other wildlife, you’re pretty much on your own. Insurance companies only cover deer claims under the comprehensive section of your policy—yeah, the same part that covers theft, vandalism, fire, and “acts of God.” So unless you’ve got that optional comprehensive coverage, you’re outta luck. Your collision coverage won’t do squat in this case, and liability? That’s only for damage you cause to others, not to your own ride. So if you wanna avoid getting stuck with a busted bike and an empty wallet, make sure you’ve got the right coverage before you hit the road. If you’ve got a loan on your ride, a lender might force you to carry comprehensive coverage until it’s paid off. But once the bike’s yours, that coverage is optional—and a lot of folks drop it to save a few bucks on premiums. Thing is, if you’re out there dodging deer and other wild surprises, it might be worth taking another look at your policy. Make sure you’re covered for the unexpected, including those damn deer. The good news is, most insurers won’t hike your premiums just because you had a run-in with a deer—so that hit-and-run with Bambi shouldn’t cost you down the road.
The problem of deer-car collisions keeps getting worse, not just here in Ohio but across the country. Hunting still plays a big part in keeping the herds in check, with over 180,000 deer taken down each year, but somehow, those damn deer numbers keep climbing. To make matters worse, a recent study found that only 1 in 3 drivers knew what to do when a deer steps into their path. With just seconds to react, that’s a scary stat. So here’s the deal: if you don’t want to end up with Bambi on your hood, pay attention to these safety tips before you get caught off guard:
- Deer crashes are a year-round problem, but you better stay sharp in the Spring and Fall. Most wrecks go down from October to December, and then again in May. The most dangerous times are dusk (from sunset to midnight) and dawn (right before and after sunrise).
- Deer roll in packs, so if you see one, there’s probably more lurking. Slow the hell down and keep your eyes on the road.
- Night riders, listen up: If there’s no traffic, blast your high beams. You’ll light up those glowing eyes and give yourself more time to react.
- Slow your roll. Ride at a safe speed for the conditions and pay attention to those Deer Crossing signs. Those spots are high-risk zones—you’re in their turf now.
- Don’t waste time honking or flashing your lights. It’s just gonna freak the deer out and make ‘em act even crazier.
- Forget those damn deer whistles. They don’t work. If you can’t avoid the crash:
- Don’t swerve for Bambi! Keep it under control, brake hard, and hold your ground. Swerving can send you flying into something worse.
- Pull off the road and flick on your emergency flashers. Watch your back—other drivers won’t be looking out for you.
- Don’t even think about moving that deer. Those hooves and antlers can do some serious damage.
- Report the crash. Call local law enforcement, the sheriff, the Highway Patrol, or the Ohio Department of Natural Resources—even if your bike’s still in one piece.It might sound like a nightmare, but chances are, you won’t be eating Bambi for dinner. Still, knowing what to do when the shit hits the fan is your best chance to walk away.
