Missouri Deer Accidents: Can You Recover Compensation?

October 19, 2026

A deer can appear in your headlights with little warning, making these crashes frightening and hard to avoid. If you were recently in a deer accident in Missouri, you may be wondering who pays for the damages and what happens if you were injured.

Most deer strikes are handled through your auto insurance. However, you may have a personal injury claim if another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash.

Here’s what to know after a deer-related crash.

How Common Are Deer Crashes in Missouri?

Deer crashes are a serious problem on Missouri roads. There were 2,951 deer-related crashes in 2024. Those crashes injured 420 people and caused four deaths.

The risk increases during the fall season. Deer are especially active from October through December during mating season and often move around dawn and dusk.

Rural highway corridors and roads surrounded by fields or wooded areas carry some of the greatest risks.

Does Insurance Cover an Accident With a Deer in Missouri?

The type of insurance coverage that applies depends on what happened:

Comprehensive Coverage: Typically pays for damage when your vehicle strikes a deer, minus your deductible.
Collision Coverage: Missing the deer does not necessarily mean avoiding a crash. If the maneuver leads to a separate impact, collision coverage may apply.
Medical Payments Coverage: MedPay can help cover medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the crash.

Don’t assume that having full coverage means every deer crash is covered. “Full coverage” isn’t a specific policy type, and the coverage included in the plan can vary. For example, comprehensive insurance is optional in Missouri, although a lender may require it if you finance your vehicle. Check your policy to see what coverage you have.

What If You Hit a Deer Without Comprehensive Coverage?

Without comprehensive coverage, you may have to pay for vehicle damage yourself after a direct deer strike.

If another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash, you may be able to seek compensation through that driver’s liability insurance. MedPay or your health insurance may also help with medical expenses if you were injured.

Who Pays After a Deer-Related Crash?

Who pays after a deer crash depends on how the collision happened and who, if anyone, contributed to it:

You Hit the Deer Directly: Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage to your vehicle.
You Swerve and Hit an Object: Collision coverage may pay for damage if you strike a guardrail, tree, or other object while trying to avoid the deer.
You Swerve and Hit Another Vehicle: Liability becomes more complicated. If your actions caused the collision, you could be responsible for the other driver’s damages. If another driver’s actions caused the crash, you may be able to pursue that driver’s liability coverage.

Wildlife-related crashes can also involve several vehicles. For example, one driver may brake suddenly or swerve to avoid a deer, triggering a chain-reaction crash. In those situations, more than one driver may share responsibility based on how each person responded.

Passengers can have claims, too. If the driver reacted negligently and caused or worsened the crash, an injured passenger may be able to seek compensation through that driver’s insurance.

The consequences can be especially serious for motorcyclists, who have little protection from a deer or another vehicle. If another driver contributed to the crash, an injured rider may have a claim against that driver. Learn more about motorcycle accident claims.

How Missouri’s Comparative Fault Law Affects Your Claim

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. If you share responsibility for an accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you may still recover compensation even if you were mostly at fault.

Swerving or overcorrecting to avoid a deer could shift some fault to you if your reaction causes another collision.

Southern Illinois follows modified comparative fault. If you are more than 50% responsible for your injuries, you usually cannot recover compensation.

When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After Hitting a Deer?

You cannot sue a deer, and a direct collision with one usually does not create a car accident injury claim against another party. However, you may have a claim if another person or company contributed to the crash.

Missouri’s sovereign immunity law may limit claims against public entities.

However, a claim may be possible when:

Another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash
A defective vehicle or part contributed to the collision
A dangerous condition on a public roadway contributed to the crash
A passenger was injured because of their driver’s negligent response

Missouri allows five years to file a personal injury lawsuit, while Illinois has a shorter two-year deadline for personal injury claims. Different rules and requirements may apply to claims against government entities.

Common Injuries in Deer-Related Crashes

Deer-related crashes can cause serious injuries, particularly when a driver swerves, rolls over, or collides with another vehicle. The sudden impact can throw occupants against seat belts, airbags, or the vehicle’s interior.

Common injuries include whiplash and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. Motorcyclists may face severe injuries because they have little protection from impact.

What to Do After an Accident With a Deer in Missouri

If you hit a deer, focus first on safety and documenting what happened. Take these steps:

Move to a safe location and turn on your hazard lights.
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
Stay away from the deer. An injured animal can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Document the scene by taking photographs and recording the location and witness information.
Report the crash when required and notify your insurance company promptly.

Missouri has specific accident-reporting r e quirements. For example, you may need to file a report with the Driver License Bureau if the crash involves an uninsured motorist and causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. A police report can also provide useful documentation for an insurance claim.

If you want to take possession of the deer, contact your local Missouri Department of Conservation agent first to find out what authorization or paperwork you need.

Talk to a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer About Your Collision Involving a Deer

If you were injured in a deer accident, or another driver’s actions contributed to the crash, Cofman Townsley can help you understand your options.

Real People. Real Results. You don’t pay us anything unless we get you money. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss what happened.

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