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I hit and killed a deer while driving home earlier, just about dark. It was the first time this ever happened to me and was rather hard on the nerves and enervating at the same time. I feel really fortunate we were all ok.

A deer ran in front of the car ahead of me so we both slowed way down. A second deer, which I didn't see coming, ran directly into the driver's door of the first car, stumbled and fell right in front of my car. I drove right onto it and it became stuck there.

The young girls in the car ahead stopped to check on their car and then on me and the deer, which was definitely beyond help.

I called 911 to report it. When the young cop came, he called for a tow truck to lift my car off the carcas. The tow truck driver happened to be the mechanic I use and he also looked under the car to check for damage while it was up. It was dark and hard to see, so I will take it to him tomorrow for a thorough check, but I think it will be ok and there seemed to be NO body damage. ( to my car, that is but not so for the poor doe ) The officer said there were more from his barracks out for more of the same calls.

The manifold heat had started to burn the deer or its fur even tho I turned the car off immediately, and it smelled awful, so I paced around outside in the cold rather than sit in my cold car with that smell. Also that I needed to keep moving for my nerves. Now my garage smells like that.

The officer said the lesson of the day is to drive straight ahead and NOT swerve to miss the deer. You could do much more damage and cause needless injury by doing that.

I feel calmer now that time has gone by, and after a visit to see DS for his bday, but I think I will see that poor thing stuck there when I try to sleep tonight. I'm glad I don't have an early appointment tomorrow.

Oh my GOSH! Thank goodness none of you humans were hurt! Glad you're okay.

(((thebighurt)))

How awful. I'm glad you're ok.

I am so sorry that happened to you. Definitely NOT a good day.

Thank you all.

Had to go into the garage a bit ago and there was that smell again, as if I need a reminder.

I know we are all ok, and my mind keeps going back to the vision of that poor animal stuck under there. And that smell.

I am do glad you're ok.

A friend of mine has hit 2 this year, her son hit one and was hospitalized as a result with head trauma. His car was totaled. Praying for a good outcome for your car tomorrow and for your nerves to find peace.

Hugs,

K

Thank you Kajem.

I'm so sorry about your friend and especially her son. I hope he will not have anything lasting from it. You would think you have protection in a car or truck, but not necessarily so.

Former neighbors of DD hit a deer one warm, full moon autumn evening while taking a last ride before putting the motorcycle away for winter. He got a broken shoulder and minor injuries, but she had brain injury. That was over a decade ago and she made a pretty good recovery, but slowly, but still has issues from it.

I'm glad you're ok, if shaken. The message needs to get out to others: NEVER swerve. Besides what you described, your car can roll too.

On a less important, but economic note, if you hit a deer, it goes to your comprehensive coverage. If you swerve and roll, hit another car or a tree, it goes againts your collision coverage, it's an at fault accident. Not to mention the harm you can cause to yourself and others.

Better take that car to a car wash and have the undercarriage cleaned - maybe run through it twice. That smell will linger for a long time if you don't get it thoroughly washed.

NL

((((thebighurt)))) I'm so very glad you are ok.

On a less important, but economic note, if you hit a deer, it goes to your comprehensive coverage. If you swerve and roll, hit another car or a tree, it goes againts your collision coverage, it's an at fault accident. Not to mention the harm you can cause to yourself and others.

^^^ Very good advice ^^^

Also remember that deer often cross the road one after the other in single file, so if you see one there are likely more. When it comes to roads and cars they are only just a little smarter than a toaster.

Glad you are OK!!

[This message edited by TrulyReconciled at 9:36 AM, November 5th (Tuesday)]

I'm glad you're ok too. We hit one about 8 weeks ago, the airbag deployment left H with a burned and torn up arm, and me with a broken foot (sleeping with my feet on the dash when we hit.) It destroyed the rental car we were driving. It is scary. Neither of us had never been in a deer accident either. 3 days later, FIL hit one and bent the frame on his truck! But no damage to him either.

I'm glad you are all ok....

I had a neighbour that hit two, one came through the windshield and injured him quite badly.

He has a neck injury that has ended his work career, he walks with a cane, and wears a neck brace all the time....he is lucky he was not killed the police said.

This time of year it is hard on the nerves to drive, especially at dusk, I am always on the look out for "eyes in the ditch"...but sometimes you don't get lucky enough to see them first....one of the girls at work had one run into the side of her car and do major damage...she had no idea what hit her.....

Moral of the story...caution, proper speeds, and good luck when driving at night.....HUGS

Glad you are ok and no serious damage to the car.

Don't feel too bad about the deer, she died quickly.

Right now the Rut is on, and they are all like sex crazed teens. I have an extreme fear that one will hit my son, or he it, and am actually limiting his driving right now because of it. I just can't afford to have him have a claim, and deal with cars getting fixed, or totaled.

Again glad you are safe.

I live out in the country. The deer are especially thick this year. I've had some close calls but I've learned to be extra cautious this time of year.

One suggestion is: If you see ONE deer, if you are able to STOP, do so -- because the chances of other deer following are huge. I have had nine deer living at the back of my land. They are beautiful creatures and fun to watch. However, through no fault of their own, they certainly can be deadly to drivers.

Jeanie - I did just that a few years ago, and the other deer behind her ran head on smack dab into the side of my car.

she fell down, got up, looked at me like I was in her way, and calmly walked back into the woods.

So glad you are ok!

The deer here are also crazy thick! We have a massive buck living in and around our yard. He's beautiful, but starting to piss me off with the damage he is causing. My dumb dogs are afraid of him.

Thank you all so much for the hugs and concern. Slept ok once I got to sleep thinking of that image and the smell.

I took the car to the mechanic today and he said it's all sound, no damage, but there's deer fur stuck where it was hot underneath. My only cost is the tow bill, and insurance or AAA might pay or help pay that.

Overnight the smell had lessened in the garage, but starting the car brought it back. Luckily, it was a nice day to have a window open to get fresh air and I had so many places to go that it's getting burned off, I think. Next time I'm out I will have to get it washed like Newlease said. Just not able to today. Thanks. (Had to be sure to vote too - hope everyone remembers that if you have any contests.)

SadInAZ, that's exactly what the officer talked about. I just shortened his message. The dental hygienist today told me that's exactly what she did one time; swerved and rolled completely over.

The speed limit was recently reduced on this short road where I hit it and now I think I know why! People who stopped said there are often deer hit there. The man who took the deer lives near there and said he bow hunts from a tree stand just a short distance away where he sees lots of them cross there every day (unless he is in the tree stand )

Using that thought process, TR, has helped keep me from hitting them all these years. This one was the second one to go across. Seeing one, I try to stop or at least really look around for any accompanying deer. Hard to do well in the dark unless you can see those eyes. I've seen lots of them this year, day and night. And I'd bet on the toaster in that contest!

I'm sorry about your neighbor, movingforward777. Very sad story. I know people who have had injuries from hitting deer and one who was behind a car that hit one and threw it through his windshield, still kicking. He had lots of cuts and bruises and an arm or shoulder injury but VERY lucky it wasn't worse. I've read about some who died.

Right now the Rut is on, and they are all like sex crazed teens

Gee, tushnurse, sounds people we might know! On the other hand, if I could only have sex for a couple of weeks a year, I know when I would plan my vacation at least!!

Jeannie and Rebreather, I also live in a rural area. I see them around my yard too. Beautiful to watch, like you said, but so many this year on the roads is not good! I would love to see that massive buck! Only seeing does around here.

Thanks again everyone.

Using that thought process, TR, has helped keep me from hitting them all these years. This one was the second one to go across. Seeing one, I try to stop or at least really look around for any accompanying deer. Hard to do well in the dark unless you can see those eyes. I've seen lots of them this year, day and night. And I'd bet on the toaster in that contest!

I've had some very close calls but no actual 'hits.' The one you can't really prevent is where they run into the side of your car (happens).

I can't even imagine how awful that would be.

Glad you're okay.