Quick Summary:
- Pull over safely, switch hazards on, and check everyone for injuries.
- Call 911 if injured, road is blocked, or the deer is dangerous.
- Photograph damage, scene, and any wildlife, then note exact location.
- Notify your car hire provider promptly and follow their accident-report process.
Hitting a deer on a rural Pennsylvania road is frightening, and it can also create a chain of practical problems: injuries, a disabled vehicle, and questions about liability, insurance and your car hire agreement. The goal is to keep people safe first, then protect your position with clear documentation for police, insurers and the rental company.
This guide walks you through immediate safety actions, who to contact, what evidence to collect, and how to document the car properly so your reporting is consistent and complete. It is written for visitors using a car hire vehicle, including travellers who picked up around Philadelphia and are driving into more rural areas.
1) Prioritise safety in the first two minutes
Get out of danger, not into it. If the vehicle is still moving, ease off the accelerator and brake firmly but smoothly. Try to keep control and steer to the right shoulder, a lay-by, or a driveway entrance. Avoid stopping on blind bends, crests, bridges or narrow shoulders if you can move further.
Hazard lights on. Switch on your hazard lights immediately. At night, keep your dipped headlights on as well to improve visibility for approaching traffic.
Check for injuries. Ask every passenger if they are hurt. Look for bleeding, head impacts, or signs of shock. If anyone has neck or back pain after a heavy impact, encourage them to stay still until help arrives.
Assess the risk of a secondary collision. On rural two-lane roads, the biggest danger after the initial hit is another vehicle striking you. If it is unsafe to remain in the car, move everyone to a safe spot well away from the roadway, ideally behind a guardrail. Keep children close and do a headcount.
Do not approach the deer. A deer can be injured but still capable of sudden movement. It may thrash, kick, or bolt into traffic. Keep your distance and warn passengers not to go near it.
2) Decide who to call, and in what order
Call 911 when safety or traffic is affected. In Pennsylvania, dial 911 if anyone is injured, the vehicle is not drivable, fluids are leaking, airbags deployed, the deer is in a live lane, or the road is partially blocked. Dispatch can send police, medical help and, where appropriate, highway or wildlife support.
If no one is injured but the car is damaged, call the non-emergency line only if advised locally. In many areas you can still use 911 to request police assistance when the incident creates a hazard or requires a report. If your situation is minor and fully off the road, you can follow local guidance, but do not delay seeking help if you are unsure.
Contact your car hire provider as soon as the situation is stable. Once everyone is safe and emergency calls are made, notify the rental company using the number in your rental documents or the key tag. The provider will advise on towing, replacement vehicles, and what paperwork they require. If you arranged your car hire through Hola Car Rentals for collection around Philadelphia, your confirmation paperwork will indicate the supplier and their accident procedure. For general background on regional pick-up options, you can refer to Philadelphia Airport car rental information or Philadelphia city car rental details.
Use roadside assistance only through the proper channel. If your rental includes roadside assistance, the provider may require you to use their approved tow operator. Calling an unapproved tow could create disputes over reimbursement. Ask the rental agent or emergency hotline what to do before authorising any service, unless you are in immediate danger and must move the car.
3) Secure the scene without putting yourself at risk
Stay visible. If you have reflective vests, put them on before exiting. If you have warning triangles, set them up only if it can be done safely away from traffic, and only if local rules and conditions permit. Do not walk along the lane edge on fast roads at night.
Do a quick vehicle safety check from a distance. Look for smoke, steam, or fuel smell. If you suspect a fuel leak, move away and keep others away, then tell 911.
Do not drive if it is unsafe. A deer strike can damage the radiator, steering, brakes, tyres, lights, and sensors. Even if the car moves, it may overheat quickly or handle unpredictably. If the front end is crushed, a tyre is cut, the steering pulls, warning lights show, or fluids are leaking, treat it as non-drivable and request a tow.
4) What evidence to collect at the scene
Good evidence helps with insurance, rental reporting and any questions about what happened. You want to document the facts while they are fresh, without creating additional risk.
Take clear photos and short videos. Use your phone and capture:
1) Wide shots showing the road, shoulder, direction of travel, and where the vehicle ended up.
2) Medium shots showing skid marks (if any), debris, and the deer’s position if visible and safe to photograph.
3) Close-ups of every damaged area: bumper, grille, bonnet, headlights, windscreen, mirrors, wheel arches, tyres, and underbody leaks.
4) Dashboard evidence including warning lights, fuel/temperature gauges, mileage, and any messages on the instrument cluster.
Record the location accurately. Note the road name/number, nearest mile marker, cross street, and the direction you were travelling. A screenshot of your map location can help. Also note time, weather, and lighting conditions.
Collect witness details if available. If another motorist stopped, ask for their name and contact number. Do not pressure anyone, and do not step into the lane to speak. If the witness has dashcam footage, ask whether they would be willing to share it with police or the insurer.
Keep all paperwork. If police attend, ask how to obtain the incident number or report. If a tow is arranged, keep the tow receipt and any storage paperwork.
5) How to document the hire car for rental reporting
Rental damage processes can be strict. Your goal is to provide a consistent record that matches the timeline and shows you followed the correct steps.
Write a simple incident note. In your phone notes, record: speed (estimate), whether you braked, where the deer came from, whether the deer ran into the road or struck the side, and whether there was any other traffic involved. Keep it factual and avoid guessing.
Photograph the car from all angles before it is moved or towed. Include a full walkaround: front, front-left, left, rear-left, rear, rear-right, right, front-right. Then take close-ups of damage. This helps distinguish deer impact damage from any later tow-yard scrapes.
Capture the number plate and rental identifiers. Take a photo of the number plate, and if visible, the fleet barcode or sticker. Keep your rental agreement and any protection plan documents together.
Do not authorise repairs yourself. Even if a local garage offers a quick fix, most car hire contracts require approval. The supplier may prefer their own repair network.
Ask what forms are required. Many suppliers need a written accident report form, and may request the police report number. Submit what they ask for quickly and keep copies of everything you send.
6) Insurance and protection considerations after a deer strike
Deer collisions are usually treated as a comprehensive-type claim rather than a third-party liability issue, but how costs fall depends on your car hire agreement and any cover you arranged.
Understand the likely cost areas. You may face charges such as the damage excess, loss of use, towing, storage, and administrative fees. Protection products may reduce some of these, but terms vary by supplier and country of residence.
Third-party travel insurance or credit-card cover may apply. If you rely on a credit card collision damage waiver or travel insurance, they will normally require prompt notification and detailed documentation. That makes your photos, location notes, and police incident number valuable.
Keep communication consistent. When speaking to police, the rental provider, and any insurer, stick to the same factual description. If you do not know an answer, say so rather than speculating.
If you are choosing a vehicle for rural driving, consider ground clearance, lighting reach, and stability in addition to price. For travellers planning longer drives outside the city, information on larger vehicle options can be found on SUV rental in Philadelphia, which can be helpful context when comparing vehicle types for deer-prone routes.
7) Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving the scene without reporting. Even if the deer ran off, your vehicle may have hidden damage. Notifying the rental provider promptly protects you if the car later overheats or a sensor failure develops.
Handling the deer. Besides injury risk, wildlife handling can create legal and safety issues. Wait for authorities if the animal is in a hazardous location.
Driving far “to be safe” with serious front-end damage. If the radiator or cooling fans are damaged, the car can overheat quickly and cause engine failure. It is usually safer to stop and arrange assistance.
Forgetting interior evidence. If airbags deployed or the windscreen cracked, photograph inside the car too. Also photograph any blood or hair on the exterior only from a safe distance, as it supports the incident type.
8) If your hire car is not drivable: towing and replacement logistics
Confirm where the car will be towed. Ask for the tow destination address and the company name. This helps you retrieve personal items and aligns with rental reporting.
Remove personal belongings. Take passports, wallets, phones, chargers, medicines, and luggage if possible. If the car must be left quickly for safety reasons, tell police or the tow driver that personal items remain inside and document what was left.
Plan your onward travel. If you are far from Philadelphia and need a replacement, the rental provider may direct you to a nearby branch. If you booked through a specific supplier brand, it can help to know your supplier’s local policies and contact points, such as National car hire in Philadelphia or Thrifty car hire in Philadelphia, depending on what is shown in your confirmation.
9) After you are safe: follow-up checklist for the next 24 hours
Back up your photos. Upload images to cloud storage or email them to yourself so they are not lost if your phone fails.
Write a short timeline. Include the time of impact, time of your call to police/rental provider, tow time, and who you spoke to. Note names if you have them.
Monitor for delayed symptoms. If anyone feels unwell later, seek medical advice. Minor collisions can still cause soft tissue injury.
Keep receipts. If you incur costs due to the incident, such as taxis, accommodation because the car was disabled, or phone calls, keep receipts as your insurer may request them.
FAQ
Do I have to call the police after hitting a deer in Pennsylvania? If there are injuries, the road is blocked, the vehicle is unsafe, or the deer creates a hazard, call 911. Even for minor damage, a police incident number can support insurance and rental reporting.
Is it safe to drive a car hire vehicle after a deer collision? Only if the car is clearly roadworthy: no fluid leaks, no overheating, steering and braking feel normal, and lights work. If the front end is damaged or warning lights appear, request guidance and a tow via the rental provider.
What photos should I take for the rental company and insurance? Take wide shots of the scene, full walkaround photos of the car, close-ups of each damaged area, and dashboard photos showing warning lights and mileage. Note the exact location and time.
Will I have to pay even if the deer “came out of nowhere”? Often, deer strikes are treated as an unavoidable wildlife incident, but charges can still apply depending on your car hire contract, any excess, and any protection products. Clear documentation helps any claim process.
Should I try to move the deer off the road? No. Keep a safe distance and call 911 if the animal is in a travel lane or poses a danger. Injured deer can move unpredictably and can seriously injure people.
