What To Do If You Hit A Deer?

George Fusner

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 630

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The Deer gun season opens tomorrow November 21, 2009. Hopefuly I will be in the woods. However, this time of year the deer are very active and often cross the road. I have actually hit a deer twice. They can really tear up a truck. Fortunately I was not injured but could have been.

Channel Five News in Nashville recently reported on the problem. Watch the video here.

Now what do you do? Hopefully you were not injuried. As with any accident document your damages. Take photos of the damage and dead deer at the scene. The insurance company will want proof that you hit a deer. In one of my cases the adjuster found deer hair in the crushed grill. That saved my claim. Report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. Call the TWRA to inform them of the incident. They probably will not investigate, however, you have made a record.

If you eat venision like I do, prerserve the good part instead of letting it go to waste. In Tennessee we have a "road Kill" law found at TCA 70-4-115. It states

Keep a sharp lookout. Scan to the sides of the road. If you see a deer cross in front of you there will likely be another one so slow down.