Discussion: oh dear

That would be very nerve-wracking. I'm not surprised you're shaken up. I would be pretty unnerved by that. Hope you're okay - you'll probably never know how badly the deer might have been hurt.

I've seen one get tagged on the hind end before - at almost highway speed - and still run off up the embankment, so it is possibly okay physically. Thankfully my only run-in has been with a Sika Deer which actually ran into ME, striking the rear quarter panel on the side of my car. He must have bounced right off the plastic bumper because he didn't leave so much as a scratch and went running right back into the marsh where I couldn't see him.

I had a collision about 10 years ago that sounds almost identical to yours, Sandy, the deer came up over the guardrail in front of me and was in a crouch just after landing when my front bumper hit its hindquarters and spun it around. After discussing it with some folks who know deer well, the impression I got was that although the animal may be able to escape from the scene running on adrenaline, there's typically enough damage that they don't survive the night. Definitely a drag.

I'm glad it wasn't worse, and glad you're ok (physically at least). I've seen a lot of deer on my way home from there. I drive slower in spots because of it, often ticking off other oblivious drivers behind me.

So happy to hear that your are OK!

Oh dear is right. Also happy you are okay. I have seared in my memory a deer we almost hit on the freeway. Still can't believe it managed to jump to safety after also being missed by the truck next to us. I'm afraid JJ is right. Adrenaline lets them run off. We had one that had gotten into our field before dying after being hit, and there was only some bruising. So far I've only hit smaller animals, but I hate it. I imagine you'll be cautious for awhile.

Oh no Sandy--I am just so glad that you are ok! It is so terrible, but so common in Pennsylvania, and it is such a relief that it was not worse-you did not spin out, or hit a tree, nobody ran into you from another lane! I hope that the deer may be ok too...

Glad to hear you're okay and the car only dented. Deer are ubiquitous around here too and we have to be careful all the time.

Tanner just hit a deer about two weeks ago, and definitely did it in. It collapsed by the side of the road. I got a phone call from him, in tears, over having killed something. I felt so sad for him but kind of good that he was reacting that way versus not caring. It can be a very traumatic time.

Thanks, everyone. I'm still a little shaken up - it was so sudden and the deer seemed so huge - but knowing that it could have been so much worse feel like I've been quite lucky.