Tips to avoid animal collisions, with Pa. once again No. 1 in insurance claims

Pennsylvania remains one of the riskiest states for vehicle collisions with wildlife, insurer State Farm says in a new report.

The report released last week includes a number of safety tips as we get into the most dangerous months for animal collisions — in order: November, October and December.

State Farm, describing itself as the largest insurer of cars in the United States, compiled the data based on an estimated 1.8 million auto insurance claims involving animal collisions filed across the industry from July 2023 through this past June.

The nationwide data show deer once again led as the top animal struck, followed by rodents, dogs, raccoons and coyotes. (State Farm notes that rodents are not only involved in collisions but also are included in claims data as an animal-related loss for damage they cause to vehicles, like chewing wires.)

For white-tailed deer, State Farm’s description of the most dangerous months for animal collisions aligns with mating season, also known as the rut. A Pennsylvania Game Commission study of 6,000 female deer found road-killed in spring from 2000-07 determined nine out of 10 does were bred from mid-October to mid-December. The peak of the rut occurs in mid-November.

In State Farm’s 2024 report, Pennsylvania continued to lead the nation with the highest number of claims out of all the states, with more than 150,000. Michigan placed second in terms of highest claims counts with around 131,000, followed by North Carolina (98,000 claims), Texas (92,500) and Ohio (82,500).

Data released from State Farm put the odds of U.S. drivers hitting an animal at 1 in 128, down slightly from 1 in 127 in last year’s report.

West Virginia retained its distinction as the No. 1 riskiest state for animal collisions, with odds at 1 in 40. West Virginia has held that spot for more than a decade.

Montana is next with (1 in 54), followed by Michigan (1 in 59), Pennsylvania (1 in 61) and Wisconsin (1 in 63).

Those odds represent a slight improvement for Pennsylvania drivers over State Farm’s 2023 animal-collision report that ranked the odds as 1 in 38 in West Virginia followed by Montana (1 in 53), Pennsylvania (1 in 59) and Michigan and Wisconsin at 1 in 60 each.

The most common scenario for an animal collision involves driving on a paved, rural road without much traffic and a sky that is not quite dark. Results from a State Farm survey indicate between 30% and 50% of drivers had accidents during those conditions. Just one risky driving behavior, such as speeding or using your phone, increases the chance of an animal collision by 23%, according to State Farm.

The insurer offered up the following tips to help avoid or handle an animal collision:

• Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road. Speed is the greatest safety factor in the magnitude if damage and physical injury.
• Stay alert. Scan the road for animals at any time of the day or night.
• Pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs.
• Reduce distractions. Put the cellphone away.
• Brake, as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers.
• Don’t swerve. If a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don’t veer off the road.
• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on wildlife may cause the animal to scurry away.
• Be aware of peak season. Animal crashes, especially deer, happen most often during October through December, which is hunting and mating season.
• Watch for animals on the road between dusk and dawn.
• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.
• If you hit an animal, make sure you and your passengers are well. Dial 911 if the animal is large and still there after you hit it. Check if your vehicle is drivable. When safe to do so, take pictures and, if needed, file a claim with your auto insurer.