7 Essential Steps to Handle Hitting Wildlife in Wyoming

From immediate safety to insurance claims and proper repairs, here is what you need to know when you hit a deer or antelope.

1. Secure the Scene Immediately

A sudden collision with a deer or pronghorn happens in a split second. Your absolute first priority is the safety of everyone in the vehicle. Pull as far off the roadway as possible, activate your hazard flashers, and check passengers for injuries. If you exit the vehicle, stay completely clear of active driving lanes and avoid approaching the injured animal, frightened wildlife can be highly unpredictable and dangerous.

2. Know the $1,000 Reporting Rule

Wyoming state law is clear: if an animal strike results in human injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more, you must report it immediately to law enforcement. In Fremont County, contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatch at (307) 777-4321 or your local sheriff’s deputies. An official police report is crucial for validating your insurance claim.

3. Gather Evidence (Safely!)

While waiting for officers to arrive, document the scene from a safe distance. Take clear photographs of the vehicle damage, roadway conditions, skid marks, and the animal. Most importantly, look for physical evidence of the direct strike (such as animal hair or tissue on your bumper). This documentation prevents unnecessary delays from insurance adjusters.

4. Swerving vs. Striking: Understand Your Insurance

How you react drastically changes your insurance coverage. When you physically strike a wild animal, insurers process it under comprehensive coverage, which typically doesn’t carry the same premium penalty as an at-fault accident. However, if you swerve to miss the animal and hit a guardrail or ditch instead, it becomes a collision claim often bringing higher deductibles and potential premium hikes.

5. Salvaging Roadkill? Get the App First

Wyoming allows drivers to salvage certain road-killed big game (deer, elk, antelope, and moose). But you cannot simply take the carcass! You must first request and receive a free digital permit through the Wyoming 511 app. Note: For safety reasons, carcass recovery is strictly prohibited on major corridors like I-25, I-80, and I-90.

6. Don’t Ignore Hidden Damage & Sensors

Even if exterior damage looks minor, a collision can knock your vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) out of alignment. Systems like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring rely on delicate radar sensors behind your front grille. If your dashboard warning lights illuminate, a professional diagnostic scan is absolutely necessary before driving again.

7. Seek Certified Collision Repair

To fully restore your vehicle’s structural integrity and recalibrate complex sensors, you need a facility with certified technicians (like I-CAR or ASE) and advanced diagnostic equipment. Always ensure the shop prioritizes genuine OEM parts to maintain your vehicle’s manufacturer crash-safety standards. Contact Fremont Collision today.