00:00Fall brings a risky overlap on American roads.
00:02Deer mating season, known as the rut, arrives just as days grow shorter.
00:07Deer become more unpredictable and are most active around dawn and dusk.
00:12That puts them near roads during busy commuting hours.
00:15The risk builds in late October and stays especially high in November.
00:19State Farm estimates more than 1.6 million animal collision claims in the year to June 2026.
00:26The insurer paid $1.9 billion on those claims.
00:28The national odds of an animal collision are 1 in 1.45.
00:33West Virginia has the highest odds at 1 in 46.
00:36In New Jersey, November accounted for 20% of deer crashes.
00:40Injuries occurred in 4.5% of direct deer strikes.
00:44That rose above 27% when drivers swerved and hit something else.
00:48In Colorado, one wildlife overpass helped cut collisions by 91%.
00:53November is when deer and drivers meet most.
00:56Disclosure.
00:57This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
