I was on my way to school at about 6:45 this morning when a deer jumped off of an embankment to my right and landed directly in front of me. There wasn't anything I could do aside from slow down slightly before hitting it...

A wide view of the entire front end:


The bottom metal piece of the hood apparently penetrated my radiator (hence the visible wet spot from leaking coolant):


The deer was even nice enough to leave me a souvenir:



I've already contacted my insurance company and the adjuster should be out tomorrow or the next day to see it. Does anyone have any idea how much this will cost?

 

Sorry to see that, bud. I also live in Roanoke (City not County) and the deer problem is really getting out of hand. I know it stinks to have the car hurt, but at least you're okay.

 

A few years ago a deer ran in front of me on Interstate 95, and totaled my Ford Explorer. Thankfully my insurance co. after reviwing the police report said it wasn't my fault.

 

At least $2500, in my opinion. I hit a deer a few years ago, so I have some experience with this.

 

Yeah, thats close to what I was thinking. I have to say, she took the damage pretty well, considering.

 

oh no... i am crying for the car

 

oh man, that sucks! So sorry to see, but don't worry, it'll be put back together in no time! So, the deer walked away? :0/

-Chase

 

Yeah, maybe even as much as 3K.

If so inclined, good time to give up the extra dough to pay the difference for an aero front bumper/grille maybe ?

Glad you were not hurt, and actually had a good excuse for being late today

How's the deer ?

 

Ours was about $3200 when I hit a deer. We have an 03 Justacooper and the deer fell on the Bonnet between the headlights just before it flew away. Our radiator also got punctured. Hair wasn't the only thing that our deer left behind but we let the body shop clean that off.
I believe that is how reindeer fly (Mini dust).

 

I'm definitely considering it. I'm also considering just blacking out what I have now though, haven't decided yet. Aero is certainly appealing though

 

Surprisingly enough, it (she) got up after about three minutes and walked away.

 

Figures that the deer just walks away like nothing happened. Sorry to hear about the MINI, and hope everything goes well for you. Keep us up to date.

 

Welcome to the deer smacker club.

 

Still have time to enter this month's photo contest.
Funny grill badge!

 

 

 

Deer and cars don't mix, sorry about your MINI and I hope your insurance covers the repair cost. Deer jumping out in front of you is all to often here in the mountain areas so you drive accordingly in the marked deer crossing zones. But at least deer are relatively small, you don't want to play bumper tag with moose, elk or the stray loose cow.

 

Sorry 2 hear about your MINI; I'm sure she'll be back like new in no time! Good thing you're OK!

I've heard of people purchasing deer whistles 4 their cars that (somehow) deter deer from just bounding out in front of u. They're relatively inexpensive and can be purchased here: http://www.deerwhistle.com/. Think I'm gonna get one, since Spring's comin' up soon and there'll be lots of runs in 'remote' areas! I've only known one person who purchased one of these and swears by it.

 

Just wanted to give you guys an update, I visited with an adjuster from my insurance firm on this past Friday and they decided to have my car towed to a shop to have the damage evaluated. Luckily, my preferred indie body shop (that has done work on a Mini for a friend of mine) was on their list of places, so I had her towed there.

Yesterday, I spoke with a mechanic from the shop and the cost to repair will be $4250. Insurance is covering all of that except for my $250 deductible, so everything's good there. They're replacing my hood, radiator, bumper, intake scoop, and grille. I should have her back by next Friday if all goes well

 

Couldve been ALOT worse. That nowhere near as bad as I thought it would look.

 

Glad you are ok ! Sad for the Cooper !

 

Sorry to see your car, but if you're covered, you should be back on the road in no time, relatively unscathed. Based upon the impact to your car, I wouldn't be so sure about the deer. It may have walked away, but maybe not too far. One August my friend hit a deer hard enough to total his highly modified GTI, and unfortunately decapitate the deer (which didn't survive the decapitation). He put the car in his garage to await the adjuster. When it was totaled several hot summer days later, he asked me to come and help harvest the performance parts from his car. The stench was incredible. I haven't eaten venison since.

 

Sorry to hear about your mini, but count your blessings. DO NOT slow down if you are going to hit a deer. Speed up. If you hit the deer slow enough it will slide up onto your hood and possibly through your windshield. No airbag will protect you from those horns or hoofs.

The idea behind speeding up is to hit them hard enough to push them out of the way or over your roof. Sounds crazy, but those in densely populated areas will confirm the technique.

EE

 

Dang, any animal upside a car is bad.... We hit a cow in a 69 Olds once, totaled the car....

At least everyone was ok.... Including the deer apparently....

A~

 

I hit a medium sized white tail deer in SW Nebraska early one morning in a newer Ford Focus going 65 mph. didnt even have a chance to slow down, and the deer went under the front clip and pass side wheels. The deputy that took the report (it's a gov vehicle, have to report) said it's better I didnt slow down, for most of the worst deer-car accidents happen when people try to serve, or slow down to the point the animal gets deflected onto the hood and thru the windscreen for possible "hoof thru the head."

Still was able to drive the FF the remaining 275 miles home, with only a slightly flapping hood. Even the headlights worked. $3,300 in damage. tough little cars!

Sorry to hear about your MINI, but there are just waaaaay too many deer with highway fetishes out there. We need more predators!