02/15/2026
Deer collisions in Pennsylvania
🦌 Did You Know?
Pennsylvania consistently leads the nation in deer-related insurance claims — and the numbers are eye-opening.
🚗 #1 in Total Claims: The Keystone State records the highest volume of animal-collision insurance claims in the country, with an estimated 147,000–150,000 claims annually.
📊 #5 in Individual Risk: When adjusted for the number of drivers, Pennsylvania ranks 5th in the nation for the likelihood of hitting a deer or other large animal.
🎯 Your Odds? About 1 in 62 Pennsylvania drivers will collide with a deer.
States with even higher individual risk include:
• West Virginia (1 in 40)
• Montana (1 in 53)
• Wisconsin (1 in 58)
• Michigan (1 in 61)
⚠️ Serious Consequences: Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has recorded 122 animal-related traffic fatalities, the second-highest total in the U.S., trailing only Texas.
🍂 Peak Danger Season: November is the most dangerous month on Pennsylvania roads — followed by October and December — aligning with the whitetail deer mating season, known as “the rut.”
📋 Why the Big Discrepancy?
While insurance companies estimate nearly 150,000 claims annually, PennDOT officially reported just 6,426 deer-related crashes in 2024. The gap exists because many minor collisions are never reported to the state but still result in insurance claims.
With abundant forests, farmland, and one of the largest white-tailed deer populations in the country, Pennsylvania’s scenic beauty comes with a roadside reality check.
Slow down at dawn and dusk — especially in the fall — because in PA, that next bend in the road might come with antlers.
