Deer strike, MASSIVE damage 🦌

[Justin says...]

Massive damage is subjective! Isnt any damage to a new 2024 vehicle traumatizing? I'd argue yes.

So, driving to work, all the sudden a HUGE deer is spotted in the slow lane of a 4 lane divided highway. I'm in the fast lane, around 55mph. Within a tenth of a second, a bang from the back of my truck. The deer was running from the right side of the road to the left. Reaction time? Literally none. Expected big damage but only found this.

Thinking this could be fixed via PDR (paintless dent repair) I texted pics to 2 different outfits. Both said its fixable. Estimates are $400-600. It didn't even scratch the paint, there's no dashcam footage, and no dead deer so people tell me insurance is unlikely to believe it was a deer, although it was. Will be fixed next week via PDR.

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[Shock96]

Totally fixable via PDR. Those guys are amazing at what they can straighten out.

I have noticed a lot of bucks running around North Idaho. More than in previous years.

 

[colinl]

I agree it's fixable but you want the pros on that one. With the formed/contoured panel there, a rookie could mess it up and then you're done unless you get out the bondo.

Make sure you know who is the very best locally and let them look to be certain they can fully repair it.

 

[Justin says...]

I agree it's fixable but you want the pros on that one. With the formed/contoured panel there, a rookie could mess it up and then you're done unless you get out the bondo.

Make sure you know who is the very best locally and let them look to be certain they can fully repair it.

Yeah. The PDR guy I've agreed to work with has assured me satisfaction is guaranteed, whatever that means. So if I don't like his work I don't pay? Great, then what? However, he has lots of great reviews on Google so I suppose its worth a try.

 

[Gray Goose]

Depending on your coverage, the cost might not even meet the insurance deductible. If it is ruled as collision instead of comprehensive, rates could go up. Even if the insurance pays $0 the claim is on your record for several years.

 

[colinl]

Yeah. The PDR guy I've agreed to work with has assured me satisfaction is guaranteed, whatever that means. So if I don't like his work I don't pay? Great, then what? However, he has lots of great reviews on Google so I suppose its worth a try.

I bet you're good to go.

 

[colinl]

Depending on your coverage, the cost might not even meet the insurance deductible. If it is ruled as collision instead of comprehensive, rates could go up. Even if the insurance pays $0 the claim is on your record for several years.

just this one dent should be $500 or less pdr, maybe under $250. you definitely don't use insurance for that.

 

[homerdog]

Deer hits are comprehensive. As to whether or not they believe a deer ran into the back of your Maverick, that's a different story.
I hit a deer, it took out three side panels and came around and dented the rear bumper. They paid for everything except for the rear bumper. They didn't believe a deer hit it.

 

[McSwine]

You got lucky, my friend.

 

[Justin says...]

Depending on your coverage, the cost might not even meet the insurance deductible. If it is ruled as collision instead of comprehensive, rates could go up. Even if the insurance pays $0 the claim is on your record for several years.

Yep which I why I never even contacted insurance. Then, the value of the vehicle goes down since its been "in an accident" and so on.

I cant believe it didn't even scratch the paint. I got very lucky.

 

[knightgr3]

My truck's new nickname is Deerslayer

 

[Automan21]

Totally fixable via PDR. Those guys are amazing at what they can straighten out.

They do amazing work if you get the right guy.

My truck's new nickname is Deerslayer

I love that band!!

 

[dochawk]

My truck's new nickname is Deerslayer

I call one of my daughters, "_____, the Cadillac slayer."

She killed the 2002 Deville DHS (absolute top of the line) by not listening to Daddy about checking oil and water every time at its age. (AFAIK, the only Northstar ever to die of heat without head gasket failure!).

And then an interim 89(?) Eldorado--a cheap beater while she saved up--died the exact same way!

No need for deer; I have four daughters!

[the oldest of whom got me a t-shirt this year announcing, "You can't scare me--I have four daughters!]

 

[MM Mav]

@Justin says... I hit a buck that ran out in front of me on a 2 lane 55 mph road.
I heard and felt a mild impact. I was dreading seeing the damage to the front end. I was perplexed when I couldn't see any obvious damage in the dark on the side of the road.
There was some dirt and debris (possibly deer hair) stuck to the lower bumper cover on the passenger side.
Checked the truck again in the library parking lot, still no obvious damage.
Next day checked it in overcast daylight and couldn't find any damage.

The debris was stuck in the diagonal lines within the yellow circle.

Got darn lucky for sure.

Glad your damage wasn't worse.

 

[Johnny maverick]

My truck's new nickname is Deerslayer

No thats more like massive damage. I see a NH inspection sticker. I almost got a deer last week in wolfeboro. Smashed the brakes and prayed. it was so close I could only see eyes over the hood. Got lucky. The deer are on the move up here. Luckily I do collision work so I've never made a claim on my insurance when it was my fault ever. Parts are hard to get for these trucks.

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