Animal-strike claims averaged more than $6,500 in Virginia in 2025 up nearly 40% from five years ago
RICHMOND, VA – With peak deer season arriving with the calendar change today, AAA is urging Virginia drivers to stay alert as increased deer activity raises the risk of roadway collisions. Deer movement typically intensifies during the fall mating season, particularly from October through December, when animals are more likely to cross roads unexpectedly. Those crashes can result in serious injuries and costly vehicle damage, with the average animal-strike insurance claim in Virginia reaching $6,581 in 2025.
While deer can be encountered year-round, collision risk increases significantly during the fall, especially at dawn, dusk, and after dark when visibility is reduced and deer are most active.
Most deer-related crashes result in property damage rather than serious injuries, but the consequences can still be devastating. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 2,000 people across the United States lost their lives in crashes involving animals between 2015 and 2024, averaging 196 fatalities each year. In Virginia, 35 people were killed in animal-related crashes during that period.
The scope of the problem is significant: Between 1.5 million and 2 million deer-vehicle crashes occur nationwide each year. Those collisions generate more than $10 billion in economic losses annually.
According to Virginia DMV, the state recorded 6,526 deer-related crashes last year, a 12% decrease from 2024. Nearly half of last year’s deer related crashes occurred during the peak months of October through December.
As deer activity ramps up this fall, AAA encourages drivers to remain attentive and anticipate unexpected animal crossings, particularly during the early morning and evening hours.
