KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's the time of year again when deer crashes are on the rise, especially when it's still dark outside.
While hitting one can be nerve-wracking, it can also get expensive.
At Tanner's Customs and Collision, owner Justin Tanner has already seen four cars come in for work due to deer crashes.
One car had damage estimated to cost $7,000 to repair. Tanner said depending on the damage, prices can range in the thousands.
"I would probably say, minimum, would probably be anywhere from like the $2,000 range to all the way up to $6,000, $7,000, $8,000 dollars," Tanner said. "We had a customer get into an accident the other day, actually two nights ago with his Lotus and smashed up the windshield pretty good. It got the whole front end of the car and those repairs can get pretty costly, depending on the car you have."
It's one of the reasons auto shop owners are urging drivers to take a look at their insurance to make sure they have full coverage if they can't afford to pay out of pocket.
"Even with customers who have cars that are paid off or similar situations like that, if stuff like this happens, you're on the hook and if you can't swing it to go out and buy a new car," Tanner said. "It kind of puts you in a tough predicament."
It's also a good to check your deductible.
"Having full coverage is great, but at the same time, you do get into a big accident, then you're on the hook around the holiday season with a $2,000 deductible or a $1,500 deductible," Tanner said. "Whatever the case may be, it gets difficult."
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism and the Kansas Highway Patrol recommend the following to avoid deer collisions:
- "Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, when deer are more active.
- If you see one deer, watch for others, as they seldom travel alone.
- Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and near water sources such as streams and ponds.
- Deer crossing signs show areas where high numbers of vehicle/deer crashes have occurred in the past. Heed these warnings.
- Use bright lights when there is no oncoming traffic and scan the road ahead of you to watch for deer.
- Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer—the most serious crashes sometimes occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
- Always wear a seat belt and use the appropriately-fitted child safety seats—they are your best defense should you be involved in a crash.
- Honk your horn with one long blast. A long blast on your horn may frighten large animals, such as deer, away from your vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) advises against relying on devices such as deer whistles and reflectors, which have not been proven to reduce collisions with animals."
If you do hit a deer, slow down and try to get on the shoulder of the road, if possible and call police.
