Hit A Deer In Minnesota? Here’s What You Need To Know

Every year, about 35,000 deer are hit by a vehicle in Minnesota. Thanks to a stubborn deer deciding to cross the road with its friends the other night, I am adding to that statistic for 2025.

As soon as I heard the "BAM!" against the front of my car, I realized that I didn't really know what I was supposed to do next. Do I have to call the cops? Do I need to move the deer if it is on the ground? Will the deer try to attack me if it is still alive? If other cars witnessed the accident, do I need to try and get their info too?

Hopefully you'll never need this BUT if you do, below are the "rules" and steps you should follow if you have the unfortunate experience of meeting a deer on a road with your vehicle.

What You Should Do When You Hit A Deer in Minnesota

I hate the accidents that you can see coming. I was on the highway going home, it was dark outside, and thanks to my very bright headlights I could see three deer casually walking across the road. One was already across, one was standing in the middle of the road staring at me, and the third was still in the ditch waiting for the all clear to go from its buddies.

Let's just say that the "all clear" never came.

Photo by Richard Stovall on Unsplash

Moneygeek.com stated that $10 billion is the cost of damages from deer-vehicle collisions each year in the United States. These collisions aren't just costly, they are dangerous. Last year, 440 people died from a deer-vehicle collision in the U.S.

Minnesotans' odds of hitting a deer are 1 in 79, which is quite a bit higher than the national average.

Step-by-Step Guide After A Vehicle vs. Deer Collision

If you are ever in a position where you collide with a deer, follow these next steps from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and State Farm:

Photo by Dillon Kydd on Unsplash

"If a deer is struck but not killed by a vehicle, keep a distance as deer may recover and move on."

Pull Over To A Safe Spot. Depending on where your vehicle was hit, this could be a challenge to see from inside the vehicle. Once you know you were struck, turn on your hazards and pull over to the side of the road so you can safely check the condition of your vehicle and look to see if the deer is nearby.

Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

If the deer is struck and is not moving or poses a public safety risk, report the accident to either law enforcement (call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number) or to a Minnesota Department of National Resources conservation officer.

Determine if a Call to the Police is Necessary. If any damage was done to your vehicle, your insurance company may require an incident report from the police. If any injuries occurred with you or other passengers, 9-1-1 should be dialed immediately.

If The Deer Is Alive But Wounded...You should also stay away from the animal as a wounded deer could seriously injure you with its hooves or antlers. Law enforcement will determine if anything further needs to happen with the animal.

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Document What Happened. Additional documentation may be required by your insurance company. If it is possible, take photos of the vehicle and the deer at the time of the accident. If any motorists stopped to help, try to record what they say and get their contact information.

Check Your Vehicle. Are there any fluids leaking? Loose parts? Broken pieces or lights? If your vehicle has the potential to be unsafe, call for a tow truck.

Call Your Insurance Agent. If injuries or damage has occurred and you are needing to start a claim, call your insurance agent right away.