Michigan drivers face a 1 in 68 odds of hitting an animal on the road, placing the state as the fifth riskiest in the nation for animal-vehicle collisions, according to data released by State Farm in September 2026. The insurer’s annual report, tracking claims filed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, highlights a persistent roadway hazard that peaks during the fall months.
National Rankings and Collision Odds
West Virginia drivers maintain the highest likelihood in the country for striking an animal, with odds calculated at 1 in 46. According to State Farm, West Virginia has held the top spot for more than a decade. Montana follows in second place with odds of 1 in 54, Wisconsin ranks third at 1 in 62, and Pennsylvania takes fourth place at 1 in 64.
Nationwide, drivers filed an estimated 1.6 million animal-vehicle insurance claims during the tracked period. Deer remain the most frequently struck animal, though collisions also involve dogs, raccoons, cattle, coyotes, cats, turkeys, hogs, and bears. Despite the high volume of incidents, State Farm noted a slight improvement in the national likelihood, shifting from 1 in 139 the previous year to 1 in 145.
Michigan Crash Data and Deer Activity
Michigan State Police reported 60,907 crashes involving animals in 2025. Out of those incidents, more than 31,000 occurred along dark, unlighted roads, while approximately 16,000 took place during daylight hours. In the preceding year of 2024, the state recorded more than 58,000 deer-vehicle crashes across rural, suburban, and city roads, with roughly 80% happening on two-lane roads.
Michigan’s deer herd numbers nearly 2 million. State police note that while crashes are a year-round issue, deer are most active from April through June and from October through December. The current surge in activity coincides with the state’s fall hunting season and the fall rut, which reaches its peak in late October and November.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 210 people died nationwide in motor vehicle crashes involving collisions with animals in 2024.
Risk Mitigation and Safety Recommendations
State Farm and Michigan State Police recommend specific safety measures to reduce the risk of damage or injury during animal collisions:
- Drive slower and pay close attention to animal-crossing signs, particularly at dawn and dusk.
- Use high-beam headlights when driving on dark roads to scan for the glowing eyes of animals near the roadside.
- Wear seatbelts at all times.
- Avoid swerving or braking abruptly if an animal suddenly appears in the road, as sudden maneuvers can cause loss of control or severe secondary crashes.
- Slow down if a deer is spotted, as other deer are likely nearby.
Upcoming Michigan Deer Hunting Seasons
- Archery (early segment): Oct. 1-Nov. 14
- Independence hunt: Oct. 15-18 (open to individuals with disabilities)
- Regular firearm: Nov. 15-30
- December firearm and muzzleloader: Dec. 4-6
- Late antlerless firearm: Dec. 7-Jan. 1, 2027
- Archery (late segment): Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 2027
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