This can be buffed out, right?

Hey y'all! Long time lurker first time poster here. Unfortunately, I killed my first deer a couple of nights ago. My truck survived with some front end damage. Unsure if there is any other damage beyond that. The truck is in the body shop right now. Once the repairs on the body is completed, what mechanical issues should I expect from hitting and running over a deer?

Dashcam vid of the accident. Warning, animal injury:

 

It looks like all minor stuff
You should be fine once all replaced with new

 

My biggest fear right there. Especially around here in the MI upper peninsula

 

Sweet! That's what I was hoping for. Thanks for your input.

 

Right? That has always been a fear of mine come true. I managed to go 28 years avoiding hitting a deer. I regret volunteering to do some midnight maintenance for my work office network!

 

Ooof, a body shop will fix u right up

 

And you get a new free plate bumper!


Glad you are safe!

 

My guess is $3-5k in damage.

 

Wohoo, free plate bumper! Maybe one of these days Georgia will requires us to have a license plate in the front.

Thanks!

 

My youngest when deer hunting with his Impala two years ago, car was totaled.

 

You could be right. My insurance has estimated it at $2,246.88. I suspect that will change once the body shop gets their hands on it. It was towed to the shop late this afternoon.

 

Never know what's damaged until everything is taken apart and measured. I'm sure the truck will be just fine.

Try to fight for oem parts if possible. Most insurance like to use aftermarket. I'd rather have a used part than an aftermarket one.

 

Ouch! Did you take any damage?

 

Oh, man!

That poor deer!

Your poor Sport!

Your truck stayed straight on impact--glad you didn't veer off!

Like was said, the front end plastics can be replaced. Frame is strong enough to withstand...your headlights look OK but I would upgrade to OEM LEDs.

And BONUS! A new BUMPER!!!

Ed

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Nah, everything worked out.

 

Thanks for the advice. I noticed on the estimate from the insurance company that non OEM parts were listed. I asked them about that earlier and they said they only use OEM part on new vehicles(2k and less). I'll have to see what I can do...

 

Thanks! I'll look into OEM LED headlights. That was my third accident(different vehicles for the other 2) and I'm normally cool and level headed during an accident. I saw the deer at the last second and I figured it would be better to stay the course and not do any type of maneuvering or emergency braking. That worked out well for me.

 

I hit a deer going about 55 mph in my mom's 98 Tacoma back in high-school. Hit him in the ass and he spun into the ditch. Big old boy with a rack and everything.

He was tough as hell though. Climbed out of the ditch, jumped over a fence and ran off

The truck only had a cracked headlight and the little trim piece below was lost. The bumper took most of the impact and only bent down and back a little

 

Tough deer and tough truck! The deer I hit did not get back up.

 

I know a guy...

who sells the harness for the OEM LED headlights...

Ed

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