Deer Season Is Here: What to Do After a Deer-Related Car Crash in Michigan

Michigan’s Annual Deer Collision Surge

If you’ve driven Michigan roads in October, you’ve seen them — deer darting from the woods at dawn and dusk, often appearing out of nowhere. Each fall, as the days shorten and the rutting (mating) season begins, deer activity spikes dramatically across the state. According to the Michigan State Police, drivers report more than 50,000 deer-vehicle crashes every year, most of them between October and December.

These crashes aren’t limited to northern or rural highways. Oakland, Livingston, and Washtenaw Counties consistently rank among the state’s top areas for deer-related accidents. Even suburban commuters face the risk of a deer bounding across the road with little warning.

Colliding with a deer — or swerving to avoid one — can cause serious vehicle damage and injuries, from totaled cars to broken bones and head trauma. What many drivers don’t realize is that how your crash happened determines which part of your Michigan auto insurance coverage applies. Between No-Fault benefits, collision coverage, and uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) protection, there are multiple layers of insurance that can come into play.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we’ve spent decades helping Michigan drivers and families recover after deer-related crashes. Our attorneys understand the insurance system inside and out — and we’re here to ensure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to under Michigan law.

When and Where Deer Strikes Happen Most in Michigan

The fall months are prime time for deer-vehicle collisions. From October through December, deer are on the move — crossing roads in search of food, mates, and shelter. Crashes are most common:

• Around dawn and dusk, when visibility is low and deer are most active.
• On rural highways, wooded suburban roads, and two-lane county routes.
• In Oakland, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, and Genesee Counties, where suburban sprawl meets wooded habitat.

Several factors contribute to the fall spike in collisions:

• Shorter daylight hours and darker evening commutes.
• Mating season (the rut), which makes deer less cautious and more mobile.
• Harvest season, when farm equipment and noise push herds closer to roads.

Even careful drivers can’t always avoid a fast-moving deer, which is why understanding your insurance rights and responsibilities after a crash is so important.

PIP vs. Collision Coverage: How Your Own Policy Protects You

Michigan’s No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers your medical bills, wage loss, and replacement services after any motor vehicle crash — including deer-related accidents. Whether you hit a deer head-on or swerve and hit a tree, your PIP coverage applies regardless of fault. Even single-vehicle accidents qualify.

However, PIP does not cover damage to your car. For that, you’ll need to look at your policy’s comprehensive or collision coverage:

• Comprehensive coverage applies if you strike a deer directly.
• Collision coverage applies if you swerve to avoid the deer and hit something else — such as a guardrail, ditch, or another vehicle.

A simple way to remember it:

“If a deer runs into your car — comprehensive covers it.
If you swerve to avoid it and hit a tree — collision coverage applies.”

After any crash, review your policy carefully or call your insurer to clarify which coverage applies. And remember — even if the deer is at fault for the damage, you’re still protected under Michigan’s No-Fault system for your injuries.

Swerving to Avoid a Deer: When UM/UIM Coverage May Apply

Many of the most serious injuries occur not from hitting the deer, but from swerving to miss it and colliding with another vehicle or fixed object. In these situations, Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage can be crucial.

Here’s how it works:

• UM coverage applies when you’re injured by a driver who has no insurance — for example, if another car swerves to miss a deer and hits you.
• UIM coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to fully cover your losses.
• UM coverage can also help in “phantom vehicle” scenarios, such as when a deer causes another driver to lose control and flee the scene, leaving you injured.

These coverages are optional in Michigan, but they provide critical financial protection.
Example:

“You swerve to miss a deer, another car rear-ends you, and that driver has minimal insurance — your UIM coverage can step in to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering beyond your PIP benefits.”

Before every fall driving season, review your auto policy to make sure you have adequate UM/UIM limits. It’s a small investment that can make a life-changing difference after a serious accident.

What to Do Immediately After a Deer-Related Crash

If you strike a deer — or crash while trying to avoid one — your first priority is safety. Follow these steps to protect yourself, your passengers, and your right to full insurance coverage:

1. Move to safety. Pull over to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and stay inside your vehicle if it’s safe to do so.
2. Call 911. Even for minor accidents, a police report helps document what happened — essential for insurance claims.
3. Do not approach the deer. Injured animals can behave unpredictably and may charge.
4. Take photos of the scene, damage, and surrounding area — including skid marks, weather, and lighting conditions.
5. Exchange information with other drivers if multiple vehicles are involved.
6. File a police report before leaving the scene or as soon as possible afterward.
7. Notify your insurance company promptly to begin your claim.

Michigan’s No-Fault law requires you to file your PIP claim within one year of the crash, but early reporting is always best. Finally, even if you feel fine, get a medical evaluation — soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and back pain may not appear until hours or days later.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Insurance Claim

When it comes to recovering compensation after a deer-related car crash, documentation is everything. The clearer your evidence, the stronger your claim will be — both with your own insurance company and in any potential third-party case involving another driver.

Here’s what to preserve right away:

• Accident scene photos and dashcam footage. Capture the vehicle damage, roadway, lighting, weather, and — if possible — the deer itself or the area it came from.
• Police report or incident number. This is often required for comprehensive or collision coverage claims.
• Witness names and contact information. Even a passerby or another motorist can help confirm how the crash occurred.
• Repair estimates and medical documentation. Keep all bills, estimates, and medical visit summaries related to the crash.
• Insurance correspondence and claim numbers. Save copies of every email, letter, or message between you and your insurer.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), our legal team regularly assists clients in collecting, organizing, and presenting evidence to maximize recovery. We work directly with insurance adjusters and medical providers so you can focus on healing while we handle the paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations.

Common Insurance Disputes After Deer Crashes

Even though deer crashes are common in Michigan, insurance companies don’t always make the process easy. Drivers often face frustrating coverage disputes and delays, including:

• PIP denials for single-vehicle or “no-contact” crashes where no other car was involved.
  
  
• Confusion over comprehensive vs. collision coverage — whether you hit the deer or swerved to avoid it.
• Delays or underpayment of wage-loss benefits or medical reimbursements.
• UM/UIM claim denials based on technicalities or missed deadlines, especially in multi-vehicle deer-related crashes.

These disputes can quickly reduce or eliminate the benefits you’re owed under Michigan’s No-Fault law. Having an experienced deer car accident lawyer in Michigan review your claim early can prevent these issues before they escalate.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick routinely handles complex insurance disputes and bad-faith claim practices across Metro Detroit and throughout the state. We know the tactics insurers use — and we fight to ensure our clients receive every dollar their policies promise.

When to Call a Deer Car Accident Lawyer in Michigan

Not every deer collision requires legal help — but if injuries, confusion, or insurance disputes are involved, it’s smart to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. You should contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick if:

• You suffered serious injuries or a permanent impairment.
• The insurance company delays, denies, or limits your benefits.
• The crash involved multiple vehicles or unclear fault.
• You’re unsure whether your PIP, collision, or UM/UIM coverage applies.

Our team offers free case evaluations to help you understand your coverage, protect your rights, and recover lost wages and medical expenses. We also coordinate with your healthcare providers to ensure your treatment continues uninterrupted while your claim is resolved.

With over 25 years of experience helping Michigan accident victims recover under the state’s complex No-Fault system, LSM provides the compassionate, knowledgeable support you need when life takes an unexpected turn.

Your Rights Come First

Deer collisions surge every fall across Michigan, and while you can’t always avoid them, you can control how you respond afterward. Michigan’s No-Fault and UM/UIM laws exist to protect injured drivers — but navigating those protections often takes skilled legal guidance.

If you’ve been injured in a deer-related crash, don’t wait to get help. Early legal involvement can preserve crucial evidence, prevent missed deadlines, and ensure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we don’t just take your case — we take your story. Our client-centered team combines decades of legal experience with genuine compassion for the people we represent. We’ll handle the insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.

Injured in a deer-related crash in Michigan?
The team at Liss, Shapero & Mitnick has been protecting Michigan drivers for over 25 years.
Call 248-584-1300 or toll-free 1-855-LISS-LAW (547-7529) for a free consultation.
Visit lsmlawyers.com to learn more about your Michigan No-Fault, UM/UIM, and collision coverage rights.