Encountering a deer while you’re on the road can be dangerous and scary  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration large animal-vehicle collisions resulted in an average of 187 fatalities in recent years.

The question raised my many drivers when this occurs is what do they do about filling a police report or a claim with their insurance company?

WEIS Radio News recently spoke with Sgt. Steve Jarrett, Public Information Officer with the Alabama State Troopers Post in Montgomery who told us that if there is no other property damage other than what is done to your vehicle, the best thing to do is to consult with your insurance company as to whether a claim or report is needed.

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police.

Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.

Never swerve to avoid a deer in the road. Swerving can confuse the deer on where to run. Swerving can also cause a head-on collision with oncoming vehicles, take you off the roadway into a tree or a ditch, and greatly increase the chances of serious injuries.