I hit a deer

I was driving back from Peterborough to Nashua on 101 in New Hampshire. Right about 5 PM. I don't know where it came from, but suddenly there was a deer about 2 feet in front of my headlights. I was on the brakes but it was to late. I'm ok, and the passengers that were with me are fine. Airbags did not go off. Pictures will be posted soon, but they are not as dramatic as some of the other accident pictures I have seen here. I don't like deer meat so I let the police give away the deer.

The truck still drives OK. So far I know I'm going to need a bumper cover, drivers side headlight, drivers side wheel well liner, and the drivers side fender is bent a little. The hood is OK and works fine, as well as all the doors. Nothing is leaking. I'm going to a collision shop today to find out if there is any other damage that will need to be addressed.

I do not have full coverage insurance so I am looking for ways to save some money. Usually when I don't have full coverage nothing happens so I thought I was doing the world a favor.

I did check with the dealer and the bumper cover is 260, but then you will need to paint it. A friend of mine mentioned that this might be a good opportunity to go after market for the bumper. If it saves me money, then why not?

I'm also OK with used parts in good condition, for the headlight and stuff. But I doubt I will find a bumper cover in the correct color at the dump that's in good shape.

Thanks for reading my post. Any and all advice is welcome. I will post again with the pictures when I am back from the collision shop.

 

good luck with repairs

 

Start scoping out Craigslist for take off parts.

 

Check this place for your parts, the prices tend to be better than most dealerships. https://onlineparts.toyotasouthatla...WO-X-RUNNER-wSR5-pkg/48322761/5211904090.html

 

You don't need full coverage to cover a deer hit. Comprehensive covers "acts of God", fire, theft, vandalism, and glass breakage and it's CHEAP. It's so cheap that I have comp only on a few vehicles that I don't drive.

 

What year is your taco? People need to know that if they have used parts.

 

I vote to upgrade for future deer encounter protection.

 

I'd recommend using an unfortunate situation to upgrade your front bumper to something that can prevent this from happening again. (As best as possible) I'd start scowering CL and such for used steel bumpers- depending on where you live they normally pop up from time to time.

 

thank you for not swerving.

 

@GreenYoda what year is your truck

 

Be sure to surf Rock Auto.

 

www.car-part.com can be a resource for you.

 

Important thing is you all are ok. Secondary is the truck. a decent aftermarket bumper will prob be about the same as getting a new stock bumper and cover...check craigslist also for parts.

 

Thanks everyone for your opinions. It is a 2009 V6 4 door off road. The only mod is the Tacoma world approved Duratrak tires. I promise to post pics soon, I just want to erase my plate number first.

I went to a recommended collision shop today. $2700. There does not appear to be any hidden damage, but they can't confirm until they take it apart. I missed the front grill is a little broken so add that to the list.

So I called my insurance broker. He's the good news. I am insured for a deer hit. It will cost me a 100 dollar deductible, and I will get a rental car.

I was looking though the estimate. Some of it is ridiculous. 271 dollars for a headlight assembly. Rock auto has them for 40 dollars. Both headlights have been there for 9 years now and are scratched up/pitted pretty bad. I'm going to try to get both replaced, they may have been a contributing factor to me not seeing the deer until too late. They also want to paint the drivers door to "Blend it" even though there is nothing wrong with it.

I will be sure to post some after pics. Right now I did not get a police report, so the insurance company will be contracting them and contacting the passengers. Also I think they will want to have an adjuster look at it before proceeding.

Sorry if my post was misleading at all. I have never been through anything like this before.

 

I smacked a deer this morning at about 50-55mph. Only thing other than hair all over my frame and rear diff is it broke the safety clip on my winch line and popped the hook off my shackle. It sucked. But could've been much worse.

 

Great news for you that insurance is covering! Good luck with the repairs.

 

Damn glad you're okay! Goodluck with the repair process! I always thought other people were the big problem to watch out for on that part of 101

 

This is the only thing I don't understand. How is having less insurance helping anyone else other than you?

Regardless, I'm glad you didn't swerve. You and your passengers are in good health because you hit the deer - as opposed to swerving and crashing. So kudos!

"Never veer for deer!"