Deer and Animal Crash Deaths by State: When They Happen

Quick answer: Crashes with deer and other animals killed 1,094 people in the United States from 2020 to 2024, about 220 a year, according to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The most deaths were in Texas (104), Pennsylvania (75) and Wisconsin (64), but relative to population Montana is the most dangerous state, with 4.6 deaths per million residents a year, seven times the national rate of 0.64. More than half of those killed (54%) were motorcyclists. Most of these crashes happen on rural roads (78%) and in the evening, with a peak between 7pm and 10pm.

Animal crash deaths by year

People killed in US crashes in which a vehicle struck a live animal:

• 2020: 218 deaths
• 2021: 180
• 2022: 209
• 2023: 254, the highest of the five years
• 2024: 233

In nine out of ten of these crashes, hitting the animal was the first harmful event; in the rest, the vehicle hit the animal after another event, such as leaving the road. FARS records a "live animal" without naming the species, so the figures include deer, moose, elk, livestock and other animals.

The most dangerous states

By number of deaths, 2020 to 2024: Texas 104, Pennsylvania 75, Wisconsin 64, Michigan 58, Ohio 50, California 48, Florida 42 and Illinois 33.

By deaths per million residents a year:

• Montana: 4.57 (26 deaths)
• Wisconsin: 2.15 (64)
• North Dakota: 2.01 (8)
• South Dakota: 1.95 (9)
• Kansas: 1.82 (27)
• Wyoming: 1.70 (5)
• Alaska: 1.62 (6)
• Iowa: 1.60 (26)

The lowest rates were in Massachusetts (0.14), Rhode Island (0.18), Delaware (0.19), California (0.24) and New Jersey (0.25). Hawaii and Washington, DC recorded none. The small numbers in rural states mean a single crash can move the rate noticeably. See each state's full crash figures on the car accidents by state pages, for example Montana and Wisconsin.

Motorcyclists face the greatest risk

Of the 1,094 people killed, 593 were motorcyclists (54%), 410 were in cars, trucks and other vehicles (37%), and 91 were other road users. A rider who hits a deer has no protection from the impact or the fall, while people inside a car usually survive the same collision. That is also why most collisions with deer never appear in FARS, which counts only crashes in which someone died.

When animal crashes happen

By month: June (148 deaths) and July (141) are the deadliest, because that is when most motorcyclists are riding. Deaths stay high from September to November (121, 136 and 126), the autumn mating season, when deer move more and cross roads around dusk. December to March are the quietest months (41 to 53).

By time of day: the deadliest hours are 7pm to 10pm, with 329 deaths (30% of the total), and there is a smaller peak at 5am. Both match the times deer are most active and light is poorest.

By road: 78% of the fatal crashes happened on rural roads.

How to avoid a fatal animal crash

• Slow down at dawn and dusk on rural roads, especially from September to November and where deer-crossing signs are posted.
• Use high beams on empty roads; they show eyes at the roadside earlier.
• If one deer crosses, expect more to follow.
• If a crash cannot be avoided, brake firmly and stay in your lane; swerving can put you into oncoming traffic or off the road.
• On a motorcycle, ride slower than usual after dark in deer country, wear a helmet and full protective gear, and cover the brakes.

How these numbers were counted

All figures are from NHTSA's FARS annual files for 2020 to 2024 (public domain). A crash is counted when any harmful event in its sequence is a collision with a live animal; deaths are everyone killed within 30 days in those crashes. Rates use 2024 state populations and the five-year average of deaths. FARS includes only fatal crashes, and the most recent year can still be revised. More US data: drunk driving deaths by state, car accident deaths by age and the interstate accident histories.