Over 1.7 million animals were killed on American roads in car crashes last year, resulting in a staggering $10 billion cost to the US economy, according to a new analysis of national auto insurance claims.
Economic Impact of Animal Collisions
The study, conducted by Texas-based Aulsbrook Car & Truck Wreck Injury Lawyers, examined claims filed from July 2024 to June 2025. It found that insurers paid an average of around $5,000 per claim. Beyond insurance payouts, the total economic impact includes medical expenses, vehicle damage, and emergency response services, exceeding $10 billion annually.
Deer Are the Primary Victims
Deer accounted for 1.1 million of the 1.7 million claims, making them the most common animals involved in collisions. The likelihood of hitting an animal varies significantly by state.
Using data from State Farm, the study identified West Virginia as the state with the highest odds of animal collisions, at 1 in 38 drivers. Following West Virginia were Florida (1 in 46), Kansas and North Dakota (1 in 54), and Idaho, Wisconsin, and Wyoming (1 in 57). Conversely, Hawaii had the lowest odds at 1 in 7,983 drivers, followed by Rhode Island (1 in 1,256), California (1 in 1,140), Arizona (1 in 482), and Massachusetts (1 in 471).
November: The Most Dangerous Month
November is the peak month for animal collisions due to the deer mating season and the end of daylight saving time, which results in darker roads and reduced visibility during peak deer activity hours.
Protecting Yourself on the Road
Franklin Manchester, principal global insurance advisor at SAS, advises drivers to avoid swerving to miss an animal. Swerving can lead to more severe accidents, such as hitting a tree or oncoming traffic, and may result in the driver being assigned fault, leading to higher premiums. Comprehensive insurance typically covers animal collisions without premium increases, but may not cover damages from swerving.
Manchester recommends that drivers in high-risk states like West Virginia and Florida keep comprehensive coverage even on older vehicles, as it is relatively inexpensive and also covers theft, fire, and windshield damage.
