Albemarle Co. braces for deer-vs-car crash season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – October begins the three-month period that, historically, has seen the most vehicle crashes involving deer in Virginia. Albemarle and Augusta counties ranked among the Commonwealth’s leaders in such wrecks in 2025, according to a AAA MidAtlantic analysis.

“Deer movement typically intensifies during the fall mating season particularly from Oct. through Dec. when animals are more likely to crossroads unexpectedly,” said Morgan Dean, AAA MidAtlantic Public Affairs Manager. “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.”

According to Virginia DMV data, 6,526 deer-related crashes were recorded in Virginia last year. Augusta Co. had the most in the state at 265, and Albemarle Co. was ninth with 163. The number matches the overall trend in Albemarle Co. which was ninth in the state in overall traffic crashes with 1,992.

“Half of all deer crashes in Virginia last year happened in one-quarter of the year, the time period we’re now in October through December,” Dean told Cville Right Now.

Most of these crashes result more in property damage than in serious injuries, according to the Ruckersville-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  However, more than 2000 people lost their lives in crashes involving animals across the United States from 2015 to 2024, which is an average of 196 per year. 35 were in Virginia over the time period. and there was 1 fatality recorded in Virginia in Aug. 2025.

As for the property damage, Dean said it costs more and more every year.

“It was $6,581 last year according to AAA Insurance,” said Dean. “That’s up 20% from last year and up 37% from five years ago, a lot of that related to damage to new technology on all of our vehicles.”

Cameras, radar sensors, and driver-assistance systems are often embedded in windshields, bumpers, mirrors, and grilles, making repairs more complex and costly, according to AAA. Injuries happened in one of every five of the crashes, according to DMV data.

In addition to the one fatality in 2025, 1,280 people were hurt in these crashes.

“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,” Dean said.

Among the things AAA recommends to reduce the risk of this accident activity are continuously scanning both sides of the roadway looking for activity, keeping note of where deer are most prevalent, using extra caution at dawn and dusk when deer are most active, use high beams when appropriate, and use the horn with a long blast if a deer is in the pathway. Deer whistles and reflectors have not been proven effective in preventing collisions.

“Don’t veer for deer,” said Dean. “Remain in your lane whenever possible as swerving can lead to collisions with oncoming vehicles, roadside objects, or loss of control.”

If you are involved in a collision involving an animal, AAA insurance experts recommended moving the vehicle to a safe location off the roadway if possible then contact law enforcement, turn on hazards to alert other drivers, notify your insurance company as soon as possible about any damage, and document the damage by taking photos if it is safe to do so without entering traffic lanes.

“Do not approach or touch the animal, ” Dean advised. “An injured or frightened animal may act unpredictably and cause additional harm. Fall is one of the busiest times of year for deer movement, and drivers should expect the unexpected. Because deer are highly unpredictable, slowing down, staying alert, and avoiding distractions can help reduce the risk of a serious crash.”