Clarendon County recorded 87 deer-vehicle collisions in 2024, and with the animals entering one of their most active periods of the year, state officials are urging motorists to use extra caution on the roadways.
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, approximately 45% of deer-vehicle collisions statewide occur during October and November, when breeding season sends deer traveling greater distances in search of mates.
The 87 collisions reported in Clarendon County in 2024 were up from 83 in 2023, according to preliminary South Carolina Department of Public Safety data included in SCDNR's 2024 Deer Harvest Report, the department's most recent annual report. Statewide, 6,628 collisions were reported in 2024.
For Johnson James, a State Farm insurance agent who operates an agency in Manning, deer collisions are a familiar and increasingly expensive part of the business.
His agency handles approximately 200 to 220 deer-related comprehensive insurance claims annually, representing roughly 20% of its total auto claims. During the fall, James said, deer-related claims increase by approximately 250%.
The average claim costs between $4,000 and $6,000, with damage typically concentrated on the front of the vehicle.
"The front ends of vehicles are the most expensive areas to repair/replace due to the technology, sensors and engine," James said.
Repair costs increased significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, and although prices have somewhat stabilized, the expense of repairing modern vehicles means some are declared total losses after striking a deer.
James said motorists should also understand what their insurance policies cover before they find themselves facing an unexpected repair bill.
Damage from striking a deer is generally covered under comprehensive insurance rather than collision coverage. Drivers carrying only liability insurance typically must pay for repairs themselves, while those with comprehensive coverage remain responsible for their deductibles.
James also noted that comprehensive coverage does not automatically provide a rental vehicle while repairs are being completed. Motorists must have separate rental car coverage on their policies or pay those expenses out of pocket.
While insurance coverage can help with the financial consequences, wildlife officials say avoiding a collision begins with understanding when and where deer are most likely to appear.
SCDNR warns that deer are especially active around dawn and dusk, when their movements often coincide with morning and evening commutes. Rural roads, wooded areas, agricultural fields and locations marked with deer-crossing signs warrant additional caution.
Deer also frequently travel in groups, meaning motorists who see one cross the roadway should watch for others following behind.
But James said drivers should not assume deer are limited to isolated country roads. He recently had a close encounter on the outskirts of Manning.
"I almost ran into a cowhorn buck last night on the edge of Manning, so just because you are close to businesses or houses does not mean there won’t be a deer around," he said.
James encourages motorists to reduce their speed, watch the edges of roadways and use high beams when appropriate, provided they do not interfere with other drivers.
SCDNR also warns against swerving suddenly to avoid a deer. Losing control of a vehicle and striking a tree, another vehicle or a roadside object can result in more serious injuries than the initial collision.
If a collision does occur, motorists should move their vehicles to a safe location, activate their hazard lights and contact law enforcement when necessary.
Drivers should call 911 if someone is injured. If there are no injuries, they can contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47).
James recommends taking photographs of the damage and documenting the circumstances as soon as it is safe to do so, particularly because many deer collisions occur outside normal business hours. He said State Farm does not require a law enforcement report to file a deer-related insurance claim.
Drivers should also notify their insurance companies as soon as possible.
For motorists who wish to keep a deer killed in a vehicle collision, SCDNR advises obtaining a law enforcement incident report documenting how the animal died. That report can be provided to a processor as proof the deer was not illegally harvested.
With deer activity elevated during the fall breeding season, wildlife officials emphasize that caution behind the wheel remains the best way to prevent an unexpected encounter from becoming a costly or dangerous one.
